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Everyone has different reasons for joining a ride. Some come alone, others with a group of friends and now quite a few fathers and sons. We’re all riding motorcycles and getting to know each other. Different characters start to shine through, and group dynamics kick in. It’s unavoidable and it’s part of the process. But a very good part. Everyone has a story and as the ride goes on day by day, the stories start to unfold. It’s to be expected. You’ve had a hard day’s ride and you’re exhausted. Sitting down with a cold beer and a group of likeminded individuals who have just shared what you have, is brilliant. I know that’s a strong word to use, however I’ll stand by it. One word. BRILLIANT!

Quite a few years back, I was approached by a content writer regarding our website. It was completely out of the blue and they were touting for business. They seemed okay and I thought, why not? The deal was that they would troll through the website, highlight the bits that they thought could be improved and we’d take it from there. If I liked what they were suggesting, then we could implement it and they would charge me a fee. If I didn’t like it, I paid nothing and that would be the end of it. I’m always trying to improve what we do. So, I agreed. It seemed like a win-win to me.

They did their trolling and came back with a very official looking report. One of the main highlights and criticisms was the that throughout the website content, the word ‘fun’ was being used. The content writer informed me that this should be changed as it came across as childish. I was taken aback by this, and it worried me somewhat. I’d written every word from my own personal experiences on the tours. The dilemma for me was that our rides were selling out, many were fully booked – almost a year in advance, and I had riders that were riding with me for the 10th time. So many people were coming back. They would finish a ride, get home, and book another right away. How could I have got this so wrong?

I asked quite a few riders what they thought. The overwhelming advice was to change nothing in terms of how we approach all of this. They strongly reminded me of why they come back. Because it’s fun. And it needs to stay fun. It needs to be 2 weeks of letting off steam, making new friends, and laughing. Laughing with others and mostly at yourself. There is a saying I like very much, and I think it applies a lot to what we do. It is,

‘A bad day for the ego is a great day for the soul’,

and that applies to me also.

Every time I get a bit carried away with myself, India serves me a quick and sharp reminder to reel it in.

I know from many years of doing this that it the same for most riders.

I’ve watched many new friendships being forged over the years on the rides. I love when that happens. Initially, a group of random strangers, previously unknown to each other and from all over the world, different countries and different continents. Magic happens when people with common interests get together and share life changing experiences. This is all good but without that one vital ingredient, it wouldn’t work as well as it does.

There is a very serious aspect to what we do, and I think everyone knows that. It can be very risky riding where we do. That won’t change. That’s the appeal and that’s why we do it. The rides will always be fun and why shouldn’t they be?

We also have a very important and solemn agreement.

‘What goes on tour, stays on tour’.

If you’ve ridden with us before and you’re reading this, then you’ll know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t, then you can start preparing your story now. The one you thought you could never tell anyone. But be prepared to be laughed at and toasted at the same time –

Because it’s okay to have FUN.

Cheers.

Alex.

Founder and Lead Rider.
Nomadic Knights.