Nikhil Sharma, popularly known as ‘Mumbiker Nikhil’, has a digital influence and reach only a few can dream of. His social media engagement can rival that of Bollywood stars and his fan following in India and around the world is immense. We caught up with Sharma recently and asked him about his travel tips post-lockdown, as well his personal style as a biker.
This trailblazer rose to fame with his YouTube channel ‘Mumbiker Nikhil’, which today, has 3.2 million followers. Through it, Sharma showcases top-quality experiential travel content — his vlogs cover the length and breadth of India, and his USP is a deeply personal take of his experience as he rides or drives through a destination.
What are your travel plans after the lockdown?
I am going to focus only on India for now. I have always wanted to cover east India, but now because of the monsoon, I think I will shift my focus to the north, places like Dehradun, Mcleod Ganj, and Spiti. Once the monsoon is over, I want to explore the south, probably Kerala. In the east, there is Sikkim, which I surely want to check out, but the more eastern parts of India are stunning and unexplored, would ideally take you three to four months to cover.
What is the best way to explore east India?
Undoubtedly on a motorcycle. I remember once going to Sikkim by plane and regretted not having taken my bike. Riding is a great way to explore our beautiful country properly. You could perhaps enjoy Europe in a car, but in India, take a bike, if you can. It is the best adventure you could possibly get in the mountains.
Riding through India — what gear do you recommend?
First, a good quality helmet — this is extremely important because safety needs to be your priority. Then, a decent pair of biker gloves and riding pads for your knees and, finally, a cool jacket. Don’t forget your GoPro to capture the experience.
What equipment do you have strapped onto your bike or yourself when you head out?
Oh my god, there are so many. The most important thing is my laptop, my camera, and my GoPro on my helmet. It is a must to carry a 360-degree camera. You can’t always convey the experience to your audience through a photo or a video, so this is a really cool gadget to have.
I have a Bluetooth device — while you are riding, you can probably talk to your pillion or talk to the other people in your convoy. You can even send across messages about things like oncoming traffic and animals on the road.
Then there are panniers (storage boxes attached to the bike), where I store my clothes, or if I am riding with a friend, then their stuff goes in there. Also, I store my shoes and other such bulky things in the top box, which is attached to the back centre of the bike.
Packing tips for those who want to bike around India?
Invest in a good pair of all-weather shoes. I have these Decathlon waterproof shoes, which you can wear in the summer also. You can’t carry several pairs, so you need to have a sturdy one. Carry a pair of slippers too. As a guy, you do not need more than two or three pairs of jeans. One thing you cannot afford to do is overpack — carry the bare minimum. Small things like toothbrush and toothpaste can be bought at your destination. I don’t carry towels, jackets. Once I reach my destination, I can buy these there, or maybe even rent a jacket.
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Mein aur mera camera aksar ye sochte hain, “Aaj kis baat pe charcha Kare”🤪
You are a style icon for bikers. What is your style statement?
The most important thing I do before a trip is cut my hair short and I don’t keep any facial hair. This is to prevent any dust or particles from getting into your beard during a long ride. I also always wear a dry suit — when you reach your destination, you are soaked in sweat, so you just need to give it a quick wash and it dries quickly.
Also, carry an extra T-shirt in case you are shooting content so that you don’t have to appear in all your photos and videos in the same riding gear. Always make sure you have a cap, in case your hair is messy, you can throw on the cap and look cool.
All images: Courtesy Instagram
Riaan George
Riaan J. George is a luxury journalist and blogger based between Mumbai, India and Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has also worked for several leading luxury publications including L’Officiel India, Eat Stay Love, Blackbook India and India Traveller. He is passionate about covering beats like luxury trends, grooming, men’s fashion, auto, hospitality and aviation.
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