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Welcome to chapter seventy-one 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

A whole year of adventure awaits… are you ready?

The start of a new year can feel like a blank page that’s wide open and ready for a year of memories to be made.

But only you get to decide how those pages are filled.

Aim high.
Think big.
Do the unimaginable.

If you want to fill your year with more adventure, now is the time to do it.

Ten adventures lie ahead of us, each one written by the roads we choose to ride.

From exploring the ancient lands of South India to winding our way through the awe-inspiring Indian Himalayas, and standing in the presence of one of the world’s most renowned destinations: Everest Base Camp.

It’s a full year ahead to embrace adventure, step into the unknown, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Who’s ready for more adventures in 2026?

In a life that’s filled with adventure, this is how I choose to begin each year…

One of the reasons I love India is that life is so vibrant here, so visceral. Life here feels real from the moment you arrive. For many of us Westerners, simply being here is enough to wake us up.

That’s what happened to me in 2006 when I came for my first ride.
That trip changed my life.
For the first time in a long time, I felt alive.

The Grand Canyon India tour is how I choose to start my year because it reminds me of that feeling; it’s like a reset and reminds me of why I do what I do.

So this route in particular is really special and deeply personal.
It’s a journey that reconnects us to nature (and ourselves).

We ride rural roads and stay in places that most motorcyclists will never know about, let alone see. We cross narrow hanging bridges, follow vast rivers, and gaze at the stars above exotic national parks.

It’s an experience that’ll leave you feeling alive.

Plus, it’s warm, easy riding all the way… and perfect if you are new to adventure motorcycling – or India.

How do you describe moments like this?

No matter how many days the trip took, how many miles were covered, how many places were visited, or how many memories were made, sometimes it feels impossible to explain experiences like this to the people back home.

No matter how many words we use to try to describe it, or how many videos and photographs we share, they just don’t do it justice.

The people you’re telling might smile, nod, and seem enthusiastic, but deep down you know they don’t really get it.

Words, photographs, and videos are powerful, but sometimes, you simply need to experience it for yourself to truly understand what moments like this feel like.

Every now and then, you might share your story with someone who’s been on an adventure like this. You catch that glimmer in their eye, and you both share a mutual understanding where no words are needed.

Just a quiet moment of appreciation, knowing you both understand that feeling.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu.

A simple truth: it takes a great amount of courage to begin.

Taking that first step into the unknown can feel daunting, filled with questions and uncertainty, yet it is also where possibility starts.

Every lifelong dream we have, every adventure we imagine, starts with the decision to trust ourselves and take the plunge.

Tomorrow marks that moment for us and our riders, as we begin our first adventure of 2026.

A 14-day journey into the unknown. The anticipation is electric, the excitement undeniable, and the suspense of what lies ahead adds to the electricity of it all.

Soon, we’ll be embarking on an adventure of a lifetime.

A road less travelled…

We take routes that few others do, so it’s rare that people in some of the towns we visit have ever seen anyone from outside India.

So it’s not unusual for locals to start gathering when we stop for chai, refreshments, or even when we refuel.

Large crowds can often start to gather with lots of excitement bubbling, and whilst this might seem daunting, it’s nothing to worry about. These are some of the friendliest and most curious people you’re ever likely to meet.

With huge smiles and genuine politeness, they’ll want to know your name, where you’re from, why you’ve come here and what you love about India.

It reminds us that communication, connection and true conversation still exist.

But if you’re not the talking type – don’t worry; a polite “no, thank you” usually does the trick.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.