MCO Riders epic trip to the IRF 2022 in the Czech Republic

8th August, 2022

We caught up with Keith Ogden, President of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group - MCO Riders, to find out about their epic journey through Europe and back to be a part of the Indian Riders Fest in the Czech Republic.

“Would I recommend attending - hell yes! Indeed Sam and I are already considering going next year.”

Keith Ogden - President, MCO Riders

Indian Riders Fest (IRF) is the largest gathering of Indian Motorcycle owners in Europe. First held in 2019, the 2022 event ran from the 10th to 12th of June and provided an imposing event village in the vast exhibition centre at the heart of the city of Budweis (České Budějovice). Around 3,500 people from thirty nationalities on thousands of Indian Motorcycles visited the festival to enjoy an action-packed weekend, taking advantage of the excellent roads and superb landscape of the South Bohemia region.

In late 2019, Keith’s wife, Sam, said “Have you seen this Indian Fest in the Czech Republic? I know, let's get over to Budweis next year and see if others want to come along.” With VIP tickets purchased for 2020, and an invite out in their Facebook group, plans were made for the epic ride to the festival. Unfortunately, the global pandemic raised its ugly head and delayed the Indian Riders Fest (IRF) twice until June 2022.

“At this point, we'd established the MCO Riders group,” said Keith. “So we put it out there that we were going and did anyone want to join us. That's how nine of us on six bikes ended up with a ten-day and roughly 2000-mile trip through Europe to attend.”

Joining Keith and Sam were Jo and Paul Banister, Helena and Martin (Mitch) Mitchell along with Frank Bamford, Andy Bond and Phil Swash in a convoy of three Roadmasters, a Challenger, a Chieftain and a Scout. Heading out of the UK on the ferry from Hull to Rotteradam, Paul Banister, the Road Officer for the trip, had spent many months pouring over maps to plan the route.

“Paul did an amazing job planning everything from the route to the hotels and even the fuel and lunch stops. Such a good job we want to promote him to Road Admiral,” laughs Keith.

“We made our way for two nights in Germany via the mad Dutch motorways and then onto some fantastic roads alongside the Rhine to Berghausen for our first stop. The next day was skirting by Frankfurt before calling in the dealership, Indian Rheinland, at Bergheim. A few goodies were purchased before we had some more fabulous roads to Etzenricht for our second German stop.”

The fourth day on the road would see the MCO Riders arrive at České Budějovice, the host city of the IRF 2022, with just a little rain here and there as the crew left Germany via stunning mountain roads into the Czech Republic.

“We caused a bit of a spectacle on our first stop of the day at a pretty little town. I don’t think they were used to having tourists in town and certainly not a group of big loud bikes. The police even came by to say hello, and to advise us we needed to pay for parking unless we were heading straight off. On the next stint, we had more absolutely beautiful places to ride through as we continued on to our hotel in České Budějovice for the three nights of the IRF.”

Checking in to The Grand Zion hotel, the MCO Riders found that their rooms had a great view over the main town square and that the main event showground was just a 20-minute walk through a park. The weather was even playing ball as well, hot and sunny.

With secure parking for the bikes, the crew explored the vast array of refreshment trucks and vendor’s stalls and enjoyed the main stage and other sights that were all visible from the many tables and benches provided for the festival goers.

“We met fellow IMRG groups, spent time with Presidents from France, Switzerland and Czech, chatted away, ate and drank too much, and generally had a fantastic time in glorious sunshine with the backdrop of good music, shared interests and lots going on”.

“Mitch and Helena bought the biggest touring bag we've ever seen (forever known now as the IKEA wardrobe) and Mitch got an absolute bargain with a new heated/cooling seat, fitted there and then. Frank kept us topped up with shots, oh and the dirty fries were just delicious.”

“The ride out on Saturday was simply magic, 1400 bikes, 95% of them Indian Motorcycles, on a well marshalled 25km ride around Budejovice. Seeing families out waving and revelling in the noise and sights was lovely and for riders/pillions it added so much to the day. Riding into the main square was just amazing, so many people waiting to greet us. It just had to be photographed from our room to show the true spectacle. So off went Sam to quickly capture it.”

Staying at the festival late into the night on Saturday, the MCO Riders enjoyed the great music food and drink and waited for the prize draws, “I think we all hoped to win the main prize of a Chieftain. But it ultimately went to a French rider, the lucky man.”

On the Sunday after checking out, Frank was now sporting Mitch's old seat like a tombstone on the back of his bike and Andy, now nicknamed Dad, benefitting from one of Helena and Mitch's old bags. Heading south down south into Austria, they were greeted with some of the very best views they had seen so far, and the previous days took some beating.

“An unexpected diversion as we headed to Linz proved to be a stunningly amazing road of twists and turns down into the valley. Finally reaching the beautiful Austrian lakes in blistering 33 degree sunshine. Suffice it to say we were all a little jealous of Mitch’s new cooling seat. A lovely hotel stay in Austria was just the job.”

The next day dawned a little drizzly as the riders set off on their way back into Germany.

“Now us Brits are used to rain but by heck did it batter down as we drove through Saltsburg, only easing slightly as we rose up more twisty and turning roads topping out at 4000ft. Even in the rain it was great, in sunshine it’d be stunning.”

Arriving at their planned lunch spot only to find it closed, the crew found a Whiskey distillery with a cafe. After, fuelling themselves, more souvenirs were purchased, “although I'm not sure where we packed them.. except for Mitch and Helena who had the IKEA wardrobe.”

“After a night in a great B&B our penultimate day in Germany was spent eating up some miles. But with the highlight of the B500 through the Black Forest..... just wow, a bucket list road if ever there was one.”

“Throughout the trip, Frank, who'd had some stickers made up took great joy in leaving these in all manor of random places. I'm sure there a few people scratching their heads as to who and why.”

With one last day on the continent, a bottom aching 270-mile ride saw the MCO Riders back in Rotterdam for the ferry home.

And what did they think of the event?

“Brilliant, fantastic, friendly, welcoming are all words that could be used. All in all a fantastic trip with great friends, our livers, waistlines and bottoms may take time to forgive us but I would do it again in a heartbeat."

And their best memories?

"There was so many good memories, a good rally site, bands and plenty to see and do. But the run through the Black Forest will stay with me forever. Great views, good roads and I didn’t even mind the rain so much. And of course the fantastic company. I had a ball with you guys & girls thanks…! Looking forward to the next trip!"

Andy Bond - Indian Scout

"Riding the renowned B500 was always an ambition for me and doing it with a group of Indian Motorcycle riders made it even more memorable. Also, riding in the Parade with the streets lined with people and seeing the square packed with Indian Motorcycles was a sight to remember."

Frank Bamford - Indian Roadmaster

"I agree that the the B500 and riding around Atersee were my highlights."

Phil Swash - Indian Challenger

"The Dutch motorways being reminiscent of The Wacky Races will forever be etched on my mind. Through the Bavarian forests on our second day were fantastic, the Parade was amazing seeing so many people out cheering and waving. The Atersee lake in Austria was WOW and of course the Black Forest too. The write ups and pictures of the Black Forest don’t do it justice. It was incredible. And finally, having Frank and Phil taking turns assisting with the overtake manoeuvres on the Autobahn made those parts of the trip so much less stressful. Finally, the roads were paved so well I had to take us down an old country track to remind the group of the difference between the British tarmac and German/Austria/Czech tarmac."

Paul Banister (MCO Riders Road Officer) - Indian Roadmaster Elite

"Being part of something so fab. My my highlights are the B500 through the Black Forest, Austria and Atersee around the lake even the rain, some of the most beautiful roads I’ve been on. My whiskey and wine lessons from Frank. Powerful words from Phil that will stick with me forever. All round an amazing trip with fabulous memories."

Jo Banister (MCO Riders Secretary) - Paul's Pillion

"The one memory that will stay with me forever (amongst all the other amazing parts of the trip & event) was arriving at a set of lights to be warned of the impending road ahead closure. Now the diversion was the least sign posted I've ever seen, basically 'Right Turn' and that was it... OMG, it took us to a road made in heaven. The views, roads (not one pot hole to be had) and weather were above and beyond belief. If all diversions were like this, I'd take them every time. Huge applauds to the organisers and Police in České Budějovice for how the ride out was conducted. Amazing to see so many locals out waving and welcoming everyone. Meeting some real characters of other IMRG's around Europe. Roll on 2023."

Keith Ogden (MCO Riders President) - Indian Roadmaster

"So many memories, the views, the roads, the company, and laughs all stick in my mind. Feeling part of something with so many other Indian Motorcycle riders was something else, especially on the ride out. I took so many photos and videos from the back of the bike that I did have to stop sometimes to just take it in, not just through the lens. The Bavarian Forests, Austrian lakes and the Black Forest just wow. Great times shared with great people."

Samantha Ogden (MCO Riders Treasurer) - Keith’s Pillion