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Welcome to chapter fifty-eight of our ‘Ready To Ride’ short stories series.

These are five quick snapshots of what we do, where we ride, the laughs had, and the general shenanigans and goings-on, while riding together over the Himalayas & through South India.

I’m posting these every Friday, and they’re an easy read; a few minutes are all you need.

Enjoy!

Alex Pirie
Founder & Lead Rider

Riding in a group for the first time?

It might feel a touch daunting at first.

More motorcycles, more noise, and the added challenge of riding in India. But don’t worry, it’s all part of the adventure.

Here are five tips to keep in mind that might help the miles roll by:

1. Distance: Give yourself plenty of breathing space between you and the bike in front. In India, surprises come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s handy to have room to react.

2. Position: Try staggering your formation where possible rather than riding directly behind the next rider. It keeps things flowing, helps with any sudden braking, and gives everyone a clearer view of the road ahead.

3. Speed: Think of it as a journey, not a race. Slow it down where you need to. The best rides are the ones you actually remember afterwards.

4. Faith: If you need to slow down or pull over, have faith in the team. There’ll always be someone marking the turn or waiting to make sure you’re all right.

5. Ego: Leave it in your pannier. This isn’t about who’s quickest. It’s about enjoying the ride together and getting there in one piece with a good story to tell.

What do you think riders, have we missed anything off?

Back in 1983, yep, 42 years ago, I bought my first ever brand new motorcycle.

A Yamaha YZ 250 motocrosser.

I didn’t have the money, so I took a 2-year loan from the bank.

It was such an awesome bike, and the last words of the salesman that sold it to me were, ‘You’ll kill yourself on that’.

What a bellend!

It’s safe to say that I didn’t.

Far from it.

Glittering azure lakes…

You might not expect to find lakes at 4,441 metres, but here in Tibet, you do.

Day 10 of our Rode To Everest adventure is filled with jaw-dropping scenery.

We ride alongside and past the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Tso. The lake is considered sacred in Tibetan Buddhism and is believed to be the transformation of a goddess.

It’s a sight that will truly bedazzle you.

Nature’s beauty at its finest.

But it doesn’t stop there. We take on two more 5,000-metre-plus passes, Karo-La and Kamba-La, and ride past a vast glacier before arriving in Shigatse.

You know you’re on a real adventure when you see things you never thought possible. That’s the joy of these rides.

Still being surprised, no matter how long in the tooth you are.

Explore lands that you never knew existed.

When in India, do as the locals do…

Embrace the rituals, the culture and everyday life.

Even if it means trusting someone new with a razor.

“The adventure holiday that all future holidays will be compared to!

I recently had the privilege of embarking on the Roof Of India tour with Nomadic Knights, led by Alex, and it was nothing short of a life-changing adventure.

An unforgettable motorcycle journey that’s not without challenge – we weaved our way across the Himalayas, and scaled some of the highest motorable roads in the world.

Alex entrusted us with his brand-new fleet of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450’s, a fantastically capable motorcycle that made light work of the terrain, some that would have been tricky to walk across, whilst making me look like a far more talented rider than I actually am.

Every day presented a new experience, and the scenery changed from forest to desert, with everything in between.

What sets this experience apart from the rest is the Nomadic Knights team.

They keep enough distance to make you feel like you are single-handedly exploring the world, yet stay close enough to help the second you need anything, from fixing a puncture to taking a picture – the team take away the worries without taking away from the adventure.

Alex, the owner of Nomadic Knights, was the icing on the cake.

He looked after us every step of the way, made sure we always had post-ride beers available, and while some might need to get used to his dry sense of humour, he provided us with non-stop laughs – never a dull moment.

A genuinely top guy, filled with positivity no matter what the situation… just don’t ask him what the weather is going to be like!

I felt like I honestly found a friend in Alex.

I can’t recommend the Roof Of India tour with Alex and Nomadic Knights enough.

It’s a journey that will challenge you, inspire you, and leave you with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

It’s the motorcycle adventure that all others will be compared to!” – Paul.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.