Features

Dry Rann – Not

Driving to Kutch Salt Flats may not be everyone’s idea of a road trip, but it definitely ranks pretty high up on our list of ‘Must See’ places. We drove the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV down to the White desert and were pleasantly surprised by what greeted us there.

Having worked non-stop, every single day of the week, for the last two and a half years, I was burnt-out and the Pandemic had only made matters worse by forcing us to remain cooped up indoors for the most part. While a few work-related trips were a welcome relief, they did little for the enthusiastic…

WORDS:
RACHNA TYAGI
Glass Act!

Most people will tell you that good driving needs quick reflexes, sound judgement and excellent motor skills. What most people don’t tell you is that all of this depends on your eyes. Ergo, you must protect that pair.

If you want to be a quick driver, you’ll need a good pair of ‘balls. Bet you read that twice, but eyeballs are what I’m on about. Well, if you can’t see where you’re going then you’re probably not going anywhere. Naturally, you must do all you can to help yourself see better. Before you…

WORDS:
ANINDA SARDAR
A memorable drive

Udaipur is one of the most exotic cities I have visited and a drive through it never fails to fascinate me. So, when Hyundai hosted us in this city of lakes to experience the new i20 N Line, explore we certainly did.

Even on the road from the airport to the hotel, it is impossible to not marvel at the irony of it all. Rajasthan has been described as the ‘Desert State of India’ for the longest time ever, yet the road to Aurika Udaipur seemed to cut through a lush landscape that I would associate with…

WORDS:
ANINDA SARDAR
It’s a Classic!

Guess what’s common to Kolkata and the brand Royal Enfield? Both are ostensibly British creations that are now distinctly Indian. Naturally, a joy ride through the city on the new Royal Enfield Classic 350 results in some fascinating thoughts and photo ops.

Contrary to its current very Bengali identity, Calcutta (or Kolkata as most would know it now) actually began as a very British city. The man who established it in 1690, Job Charnock, was British and it remained a British city until Independence. In fact, it even served as the capital of British India from 1858…

WORDS:
ANINDA SARDAR
Living the Ducati dream

When you get your hands on the beautiful, Italian designed Ducati Monster 821, you’re convinced it is for the keepsâ€¦well, almost.

Ever wondered what living with a Ducati feels like? Let me tell you. For me, personally, it is out of the ordinary! My KTM Duke 390, which I thought was a furnace in the beginning, in retrospect, is a relatively simple motorcycle to live with. Having lived with the Ducati Monster 821 for the past few…

WORDS:
RAHIL SHAIKH
Watch it!

There are those who drive a car to get from point A to point B and there are those who wear watches to tell the time. This story, is not for them…

This is a story for those who love the finer things in life; who drive a car and wear a watch to the same end – to make a statement. Even if it is a subtle one. In complete contrast to those who fail to see beyond the functionality of a motorcar and a watch,…

WORDS:
ANINDA SARDAR
Mech engineering meets Menu engineering

Whet your appetite on wheels. From kitchen equipment sizes, to the number of staff workers, to the menu items, every aspect in the food trucks business requires meticulous planning. Here’s a look at what it takes to design, build and run them successfully.

At the Ferry Wharf in Mumbai, while waiting to hop on to the RoRo service for Alibaug, one can pick a quick sandwich or bite into a small pizza from a food truck called Cantina by Flamboyante. The open-air seating atop the food truck is its owner, Amrish Arora’s idea. “We wanted people to have an option…

WORDS:
NASRIN MODAK SIDDIQI
True Timing

That Harley-Davidson never swam with the motorcycling tide is no secret. Even when it finally embraced the spirit of adventure as a part of motorcycle touring ethos, it did so at a time of its own choosing. So, this time around, has Harley-Davidson timed it right or is it too late to the party?

In the world of motorcycles, the idea of experimentation with the machine’s styling didn’t really start in earnest till the 1980s. It was only around this time that motorcycle styling started to move away from older ideas of round instruments and headlamps and a general theme of minimalism. Although the laurel of becoming the first…

WORDS:
ANINDA SARDAR
Jungle Jaunt

The transfer between two forests, right through the heart of the jungle, in a 4WD, is a matchless experience writes Fareeda Kanga.

Most wildlife safaris in India, or for that matter worldwide, follow a similar pattern. An early morning game ride followed by lunch and a short snooze, and then another afternoon jaunt in the jungle. Safari junkies are usually in the habit of hopping from one park to another within the same state, making the journey…

WORDS:
FAREEDA KANGA
Fast Track Fun

Hot wheels for cool motorheads. Radio Controlled Car Racing is no child’s play. This hobby offers enough thrill to keep you hooked for life.

Before the lockdown, far in the empty fields at Vasai, near Mumbai, Mulund resident, Edison Samuel, used to take his five-and-a-half-year son, Eric, with an entourage of remote controlled cars, and put them to a good adventure. The joy on their faces and the sheer adrenaline rush was a thing to witness. This is true for…

WORDS:
NASRIN MODAK SIDDIQI