An inspiring charity adventure: Join Michael from Italy to India…
Michael Hobbs of Italian fractional development Appassionata is a busy man. His demanding schedule consists of the running and maintenance of his luxury and boutique company Appassionata in Le Marche, Italy, with the help of his wife, interior designer Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs as well as their daughter India and her fiancé Charlie. On top of this, Michael decided to take on a grueling, yet exceptional charity challenge, which saw him riding through some of the most intense and dramatic scenery in the world, the Enduro India Challenge 2011. Each year, the Enduro India Challenge witnesses around 800 adventurous individuals from all walks of life leaving their usual routine behind them to participate in an intrepid challenge, whilst raising money for inspirational charities. Their aim each year is to complete the number one motorbike tour across southern India whilst riding from dawn until dusk, over thirteen days, on classic Royal Enfield Bullet motorbikes. Michael, who is always partial to an incredible challenge, signed up almost immediately after hearing about the adventure. He spent the entire month of July brushing up on the skills involved in this challenge, which included revising for the theory test, taking 3 practical courses (all crammed into one week) and then three remaining tests, to finally ascertain the essential item for him to take part in the challenge, his motorcycle license! Then it was just a case of stocking up on the other
necessities for the trip in the last few weeks before departure; body armour, boots, helmets, eyewear, mosquito repellent and various medicines to keep Michael and the team he would be riding with protected. Sunday the 23rd January 2011 and Day 1 of the challenge came around very quickly for Michael. This day saw his arrival in Goa which was marked by the introduction to his team and those other brave adventurers taking part before meeting their rides for the trip. Michael was soon shown to “Miss Truly 2”, the 1950’s classic single cylinder 350cc Royal
Off roading took over the minds of the riders as they sped through the gorgeous humid countryside of India. Told to watch out for cobras as they approach the mountains, the teams were all slightly nervous, but chugging up mountainous roads and spotting waterfalls along the way meant that the prospect of snake sightings were pushed to the back of their thoughts. With the days becoming ever harder and as roads got steeper, the time spent riding became much more dangerous. Even Michael had a fall on the third day, but luckily escaped
Their aim each year is to complete the number one motorbike tour across southern India whilst riding from dawn until dusk, over thirteen days, on classic Royal Enfield Bullet motorbikes. Enfield Bullet motorbike which accompanied him on his intensive thirteen day trip across the 2000km of Southern India. “Miss Truly 2” stood out from the dusty landscape, her shiny red frame glistening in the sun. Once seeing their bikes, all those involved couldn’t wait to hit the open road, and as soon as the 25th January came around they got their wish. Waved off by young children travelling down the road on their way to school, a regular occurrence throughout the trip, the Enduro India 2011 challengers were on their way to Karwar, Karnataka, revving into the distance.
Perspective Magazine Europe & Middle East March/April 2011
unharmed, thanks to his body armour. There were more serious injuries on the trip however as this really was a test of concentration and skill combined with intense emotions travelling through gorgeous scenery. Just under halfway through the trip, on the way to Silent Valley, the teams faced an even bigger challenge: leopards and elephants roamed the grounds as teams camped out under the stars on the borders of Kudremukh National Park. With long distance driving becoming ever more a part of a normal day for the riders, they pushed forward, enjoying views of glistening waterfalls, traversing mountainous ranges,