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Welcome to chapter five 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

Just us, the motorcycle, and the open road.

No plans – just pure freedom, endless horizons and out of this world terrains.

Each mile offering a new adventure.

Is there a better feeling?

No, didn’t think so.

Nerves are normal…

Like many things in life, the anticipation of the unknown can bring a blend of excitement and nervousness.

What’s going to happen? Will it all go to plan?

And just like life, we never know, but we ease into it.

Once we’ve set off, the nerves evaporate as we enjoy what we’ve come here for – a motorcycle adventure of a lifetime.

“Spiti Valley… what an incredible valley this is…

What you don’t see in the picture is that when you leave Kaza, ice is often removed from your seat before you kick your leg over it.. and as you head north, the dawn is just breaking. We have to leave early as it’s a proper day ahead on some of the best tracks/roads in the world.
This amazing view is unseen until you reach the head of the valley, negotiate the narrow tracks hugging the contours and then look back… it’s high anyway.. 3,650 m (11,980 ft) but it takes what little breath you have left away.

NB: I took the picture last year… and this is my friend Peter… be like me and Peter and get yourself booked… it’s an out of this world experience.” – Iain.

Iain has taken many epic photographs whilst on the rides.

They are the best I have ever seen, truly outstanding and I’m not just saying that because of his write up above!

He captures what many people love about the Himalayas, especially Spiti Valley.

Those who have been know just how incredible this place is, it stays with many riders and keeps them coming back for more.

Believe it or not, it’s sometimes better to overuse your horn in India than keep quiet…

In Western culture we’ve become far too used to beeping out of frustration or to tell people to get out of the way.

So it can come as a surprise to many who haven’t been to India before, that horns are used for absolutely anything imaginable.

Buses, animals in the road, signalling that you want to overtake, in a blind spot, letting other ridings know you can see them – and the rest!

The list is endless.

So, if in doubt – honk away to your heart’s content.

PS. if you hear someone beeping their horn at you, it’s probably not personal!

Hands up – who’s ready for a motorcycle adventure?

We certainly are!

We’re gearing up for another incredible ride in South India, the perfect warm-up before a year packed with adventures in the Himalayas.

I love all the rides but the Himalayas hold a special place in my heart.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.