It is high time for the Gulf bikers

Once again, bikers from all over Arabia gathered in Dubai for the Gulf Bike Week. The annual event that was born three years ago was filled with petrol fumes, men in their bandanas, heavy guitar tunes, and Harley Davidson logos.
This year’s edition was inaugurated by Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Dubai Events Board, on Oct. 18. The three-day event drew a multitude of manufacturers and bikers alike. While the former came to showcase their latest biking inventions, the latter came to showcase their skills as well as the latest biking customs.
On the manufacturers side, this year’s version of the Gulf Bike Week featured 75 stalls with over 200 brands on display. Leading motor biking industry brand Harley Davidson was there, showcasing their 110th anniversary model. The limited edition bikes come with a whole lot of upgrades, like the H-D Smart Security System and Contrast Chrome Wheel. Gulf Bike Week was the perfect opportunity for renowned racing bikes manufacturer Ducati to promote their latest Monster Diesel range.
Crossing to the other side, bikers were not here only to do their shopping. Some were there to showcase their motor biking skills as they went for hair-raising, highflying stunts, while others displayed their latest custom motorbikes inventions as they participated in the Custom Bike Build Championship.
This year, the 2012 Gulf Bike Week was aiming to attract 40,000 visitors; certainly not all of them were manufacturers and bikers. Gulf Bike Week is more of an event to all sorts of people, where you get to enjoy the day spotting the latest motor biking trends, watching bikers doing crazy stunts, and listening to heavy guitar riffs. Gulf Bike Week has made it a habit to bring international heavy metal acts to perform in Dubai. This year it was the legendary Megadeth along with Daughtry and Razorlight. The crowd went crazy as the heavy metal bands rocked the stage with their tunes.
That is certainly not all when it comes to Gulf Bike Week.
On Oct 19, and right after the Friday prayer, bikers went for the Thunder Parade, where they drove for almost two hours in a long queue of motorbikes. The drive aimed at raising awareness of autism as well as raising funds. GeoWash donated all bike cleaning proceeds to Dubai Autism Center. The drive was simply spectacle.
What started out in the Gulf region as a trend is slowly becoming a culture. Bikers have their own hangouts, run in their own social circles, and now have their own Gulf week festival.

life.style@arabnews.com