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Welcome to chapter thirty 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

So, a couple of the much asked questions for the Rode To Everest ride are:

1. Will I see Everest?
2. When we spend the night at Base Camp, how close are we?

For the answers, take a quick look at both these photographs from April this year.

They answer both questions.

But I suppose the next question has to be:
‘Am I putting my name on that badge?’

“It has been a real adventure.

It’s definitely up there with the best of the best.

It was well organised, professionally run and sometimes challenging.

I enjoyed your and your fellow riders’ company throughout the ride.” – Nick.

Nick gets it.

People come for the adventure – but they leave with something more. Some riders don’t realise that these journeys aren’t just about the thrill, the landscapes, or the stories you’ll tell later.

They’re about the bond that forms on the road – the laughs over dust-covered boots, the shared silences under open skies, the unspoken understanding between those chasing the same horizon. It’s one of the most underrated parts of these rides: you arrive solo, but you leave with a crew.

A bunch of mates who just get it, because they were right there with you the whole way.

Breakfast, South Indian Style…

The thought of trying breakfast in India might not appeal to everyone at first, but once they try it – there’s no looking back.

Especially when it comes to dosas.

Imagine a crispy, savoury pancake filled with spiced (not spicy) potato, served with a variety of chutneys to dip into. If you ever wondered what soul food tastes like – this is it.

It’s the kind of dish where recipes have been passed down through generations, and makes the perfect fuel for a long day in the saddle.

Some riders have told us they’ve tried to find dosas after returning home – but they’re just never quite as good as the real thing. Luckily, dosas are easy to find at our chai stops on the Grand Canyon India ride.

Definitely try one next time you’re in South India!

The India you never knew existed….

India is often burdened by misconceptions – and one of the biggest is about its terrain.

Not every part of India is a bustling city. As the seventh-largest country in the world, it offers a multitude of landscapes.

The north, in particular, is home to lush, dense forests that could easily be mistaken for parts of Europe. We’re lucky enough to explore winding roads that weave through the trees and wrap around the mountains.

It’s a pinch-me moment.

You can easily forget where you are for a second.

Then the realisation sinks in: not everything is as we’ve been led to believe.

So, leave the misconceptions at home – and broaden your horizons.

The ancient city of Kathmandu…

There is much to see and do in this busy and frantic city. It’s an enlightening experience – spiritually, culturally, and emotionally.

Whether you’re barrelling through the traffic-jammed alleyways of the old town in a rickshaw, marvelling at the medieval temples or dodging trekking touts in the backpacker district of Thamel, you quickly realise it’s an intoxicating, charming and exhausting place.

Whilst we wait for our permits, take a stroll through the backstreets of Kathmandu’s timeless cultural and artistic heritage.

Here you’ll discover hidden temples overflowing with marigolds, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, and tiny hobbit-sized workshops.

This endlessly fascinating and sometimes infuriating city has enough sights to keep you busy for a week – we only have the day, so make the most of it.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.