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Team-BHP West Bengal meet up 2025: Planning, execution and all the fun!

26th May 2025, 20:00 by R Patil

I was living a fanboy dream. Honestly, I could barely talk. I just sat there in awe, listening, soaking in every word, every laugh, every story

BHPian dhrubojyoti recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Statutory Warning:

If you're a newcomer planning to join the West Bengal Team-BHP gang for an overnighter, be warned, your initiation ritual involves being assigned the sacred task of documenting the entire meet. Yes, that means you write the report.

The veterans? Oh, they’ll ensure you feel like a college fresher again, regardless of whether you’re in your roaring twenties or your dignified fifties. They call it “ragging.” You’ll call it “bonding.” Since joining this group, I’ve started aging backwards, think Benjamin Button, but with more horsepower and less Hollywood drama.

So choose wisely. If you're worried about losing your composure or "dignity" in the face of relentless banter and brotherhood, this may not be your kind of ride. But if you're in for laughs, late-night drives, and lifelong memories, welcome aboard.

The Planning: All Roads Began with NomadicLife

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have recently been added to the unofficial Team-BHP WhatsApp group of West Bengal, a lively digital adda where wheels turn as fast as the conversations. It was there that the first sparks of our overnighter were ignited.

When talk of the trip began, one thing became clear very quickly: everyone turned to just one person to make the magic happen, NomadicLife.

At first, I was intrigued. Why just him? Later, I understood. He's not just a planner; he’s a magician. With an ease that almost felt unfair, he laid out multiple venue options, complete with accommodation and food details, as if he were ordering off a menu. Coordinating such a large group for an overnight trip is no joke, but he made it look like one.

And the best part? All we had to do was drive. We showed up, parked our cars, and instantly slipped into what became one of the most carefree and joy-filled days of our lives. Behind the scenes? NomadicLife worked like clockwork, ensuring every little detail was handled, and yet, he never let it show.

Some people plan trips. He curates experiences.

The Convoy Commander: Neversaygbye

While NomadicLife worked his behind-the-scenes magic, the man who took charge on the road was none other than Neversaygbye, our co-organizer and the unofficial Convoy Commander.

With his dark shades and calm demeanor, his resemblance to Robert De Niro from Taxi Driver was uncanny, though instead of asking “You talkin’ to me?”, he was more likely to ask, “All cars accounted for?” Always keeping a watchful eye, he ensured that every car in our long line of machines made it to the venue safely and smoothly.

But don’t let the cool exterior fool you. Beneath those shades is a heart that’s gentle, caring, and ever-alert to everyone’s needs. He may have looked like a movie character, but his actions reflected a real-life hero on the highway.

Ageless Rebels on the Road

There’s something I’ve been meaning to confess. I seriously question the stated age of this group. Sure, their driving licenses say they’re in their late thirties to early fifties. But spend five minutes with them and you’ll realize - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; none of them has aged past eighteen.

Don’t believe me? Come along for the next overnighter and see for yourself. Just be ready for a wild ride full of laughter, late-night banter, and a whole lot of harmless mischief. Consider this your official invitation and challenge.

The May 2025 Overnighter: Attendee Roll Call

Here’s the legendary lineup of the May 2025 overnighter of the West Bengal Team-BHP crew:

1. NomadicLife
2. Neversaygbye
3. Mile_Breaker
4. OpenRoads
5. Ask99
6. shourya_lahiri
7. shuvc
8. hok kolorob
9. sdg4wheels
10. SchrödingersCar
11. Cr4nkshaft
12. DJR
13. DevOnWheels
14. edunata
15. kousikjana
16. H0rsepower
17. Octane1002
18. predatorwheelz
19. dip27in
20. cdibya
21. Ghostrider28
22. Ritkon
23. Mobilethunder
24. red7778
25. dhrubojyoti

Where the Engines Roared & Conversations Began: Breakfast at Azad Hind Dhaba

The day kicked off just as any epic road trip should, with breakfast at the iconic Azad Hind Dhaba, Uluberia. Known far and wide for its authentic Punjabi cuisine, it’s a staple stop for every hungry traveller, and a dream spot for petrolheads needing space for both their cars and their appetites.

The massive parking lot didn’t stay empty for long. One by one, the Bhpians rolled in, and soon the entire space was packed with an eye-popping display of automotive passion. This was already shaping up to be the largest West Bengal overnighter ever.

For me, this moment was nothing short of surreal. It was my very first meet.
And here I was, not just watching from behind a screen or reading posts from afar, but sitting at the same table, in the same air, with people I’d admired for years. I was living a fanboy dream. Honestly, I could barely talk. I just sat there in awe, listening, soaking in every word, every laugh, every story.

A Surprise Entry: Mobilethunder from Hyderabad

Just when we thought the lineup was set, we got a surprise, and a very pleasant one. Bhpian Mobilethunder joined us last minute, having travelled to Kolkata from Hyderabad to visit his relatives. But once he heard about the overnighter, he couldn’t miss it. And we’re so glad he didn’t. Soft-spoken, warm, and full of good vibes, he seamlessly became part of the group. I was lucky enough to share a room with him later that evening, and the conversations we had, made the experience even more memorable.

Breakfast That Turned Into a Feast, and a Mini Festival

The breakfast at Azad Hind Dhaba was nothing short of a culinary carnival.

From Punjabi parathas to Bengali luchis, South Indian dosas to even some Chinese dishes that snuck onto the plates, it was every food lover’s dream. Whether you were a die-hard non-vegetarian or a devoted vegetarian, a chai addict or a coffee purist, there was something for everyone. And the beverages? Countless cups - hot, cold, sweet, strong. The mugs kept coming.

I’m fairly certain we occupied half of their AC dining hall, and the staff probably needed a team meeting just to process our collective appetite. Once the plates were cleared, no one was in a hurry to leave. The parking lot turned into our open-air adda zone, echoing with laughter, old war stories, new introductions, and lots of friendly leg-pulling. Cameras clicked non-stop, freezing moments we’d probably scroll through for months afterward.

Yes, we were already behind schedule. And no, not a single soul cared. As some wise road-tripper once said, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” And ours had well and truly begun.

The Jungle Beckons: The Drive to Mukutmanipur

Azad Hind Dhaba, bless it, also had a fuel station next door. A few of us topped up our tanks, did a quick round of checks, and soon, the convoy was rolling out, heading toward Mukutmanipur, roughly 200 kilometers away.

But the road wasn’t all that awaited us. We had one more addition to the gang, waiting at the destination, bhpian red7778, a local from nearby who would join us directly at the resort. Another enthusiast, another story, another piece of the puzzle falling into place.

The engines roared to life, the Google Maps (and a few old-school minds) synced up, and just like that, the journey was in full throttle.

The Convoy Rolls Out: A Dream in Motion

With engines humming and hearts racing, a convoy of around 20 cars rolled out from Azad Hind Dhaba - a sight that could make any petrolhead’s heart skip a beat.

For me, it was pure adrenaline. Many of these cars had once lived on the pages of magazines I’d read, posters I’d stuck on walls, and dreams I’d dreamed with open eyes. Now they were right in front of me - polished, pristine, and maintained to the high standard that only Bhpians know how to keep. I followed from behind, admiring each one, watching their silhouettes move in unison - a graceful dance of machines and their proud drivers.

Through the Jungle: Kharagpur to Goaltore

We reached Kharagpur and took a right turn towards Goaltore, and that’s when the drive transformed from thrilling to transcendent. The 50-kilometer stretch between Kharagpur and Goaltore is a stunner - a road that carves its way through the dense Sal and Sagwan forests, rich with earthy greens and soft sunlight filtering through the canopy. This section is also known for elephant crossings, and the wild energy of the place made you want to slow down and soak in every moment.

The scenery was too good to just drive past. So we didn’t. We pulled over for a well-deserved photo session. Every car lined up like a perfectly choreographed automotive ballet.

But wait, it wasn’t just about photos. The heat was merciless, and right on cue, Neversaygbye’s Safari opened up like a mobile oasis. His car came equipped with a freezer! Yes, you read that right, and out came lassi, cold drinks, fruit juices. Hydration, happiness, and horsepower - the holy trinity of summer road trips.

The Final Stretch: Into Rural Bengal

After the refreshing break, we continued on the single-lane roads that wound through the soul of rural Bengal. Small villages, expansive farmlands, dense jungles, and open grasslands - the route was a moving painting, the kind that quietly fills your heart without needing words.

Arrival at the Resort: A Grand Entry

As we rolled into the resort, it was déjà vu; the entire parking lot was soon filled with Bhpians' cars, yet again. The welcome drinks were a cool relief, and room allocations were smooth. By now, it was already half past two, and our appetites had caught up with us.

We gathered in the dining hall, where a lavish buffet awaited. Veg and non-veg dishes alike, from paneer to fish to melt-in-the-mouth mutton, greeted us with tempting aromas and even better taste. It wasn’t just a meal. It was a celebration of food, of friendship, of finally being here.