In its fourth year, the massive Indian Riders Fest drew more than 1,500 Indian MOTORCYCLE owners from right across Europe to converge on Budweis in the Czech Republic.
It was staged in a park in the heart of the town, and was a huge success, as ever.
The brainchild of Jean-Marie Guyon and a bunch of his friends – founders of one of the first IMRGs in Europe – this meet has now reached an epic scale.
“My primary motivation for organizing this enormous festival is wanting to share my enduring passion for motorbikes. It’s really satisfying to see all these Indian enthusiasts forging new connections, even though most of them didn't know each other when they first arrived.”
Now Indian Motorcycle sponsors this June fixture that’s highlighted in every biker’s calendar. This year, brand ambassadors Carey Hart and Jeremy McWilliams were in attendance all weekend, meeting and chatting happily with attendees.
The sprawling wooded park where the Indian Riders Fest was held allowed people to ride around freely on their bikes along the two main avenues, and park with ease. There were plenty of food trucks, bars and eateries within easy reach, all fronting the big main stage.
A host of activities, showcases and rides were laid on across the two wings of the festival site. Recalling the brand’s historic legacy, an authentic wooden Wall of Death was erected where two riders thrilled the crowds on vintage Scouts throughout the weekend. Competition models such as the Challenger RR and FTR Flat Track bikes were also on display, while Martin Krátky performed stunt after stunt, displaying his prodigious skills astride the FTR S.
The official Indian Motorcycle stand was located at the other side of the grounds. There, visitors could admire the five versions of the new Scout range on display and take any of the other models for a test ride. In a large glass hall opposite, forty motorcycles were entered in the AMD-approved Custom Show, whose judging panel was chaired by Indian Motorcycle’s Director of Product Design Ola Stenegärd. It was clear that unprecedented levels of preparation and customization had gone into the amazing builds on show.
A few steps away was a big Indian Motorcycle clothing store that you accessed through a wide corridor. Walking down it was like stepping back in time, with an extremely rare lineup of about fifteen Indians on display on either side. All perfectly restored, these motorcycles retraced the brand's first few decades.
Partner brands sold equipment and accessories at their stands, and there were also tattoo artists and barbers on hand. Set back a little from the fray, the lounge space with its multitude of sofas proved a popular spot for relaxing late into the evening, with a DJ serving up mellow, laid-back vibes.
The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday, when all the festival-goers came together on their bikes for the traditional parade. Everyone gathered on Ottokar II Square in Budweis’ historic centre. The procession was led by Carey Hart and Jeremy McWilliams, followed by the Indian Ladies First. Local police offered a secure escort for the endless procession, which stretched as far as the eye could see along a scenic 40-km route. Locals came out to share the excitement when it passed through surrounding villages.
Before the closing gig got underway on the Saturday night, everyone’s eyes were on the main stage for the much-anticipated Grand Lottery draw. Winners were picked at random to win a number of exciting prizes, presented by Jean-Marie and representatives from Indian Motorcycle. The grand winner was announced with a final drum roll: Przemek from Poland, who had the golden ticket, won an Indian 101 Scout motorbike to take home.
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