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Welcome to chapter thirty seven 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

You might not realise you’re in another state, but there’ll be signs…

Not just road signs, but signs in what we see around us: the changing landscape, the food, the people. It reminds us to rely on our instincts, to notice, to think – not just look things up on a screen.

On the Grand Canyon India ride, we travel through Goa, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh – each with its own rhythm and colour.

From the lush, dense forests and brightly painted houses of Goa to the earthy orange tones of the Deccan Plateau, riding through these states is a lesson in observation.

It’s a reminder to open our eyes – really open them – and take in what’s around us.

Getting the beers in isn’t as easy as it looks…

Chasing a cold beer in the Indian Himalayas on a motorcycle is a quest in itself.

This isn’t the same as popping into the local pub or the corner shop.

Out here, shops that sell alcohol are few and far between – and fridges even rarer. But this isn’t our first rodeo. We’ve got our sources, and we’ve learnt to get creative when it comes to keeping the beers cold.

No complaints so far.

There’s nothing quite like cracking one open by the fire, high above the world – it’s a well-earned reward at the end of an incredible day on the road.

What’s it like seeing Mount Everest for the first time?

Nothing can truly prepare you for the moment when the sheer majesty of Mount Everest suddenly appears before you.

It’s absolutely breathtaking – even mind-blowing.

Reaching base camp is a unique moment in time that stays with you forever, especially as you watch the sun set over her peak before settling in for the night at Everest Base Camp.

It’s no surprise that it’s on so many people’s bucket lists.

It’s legendary – a true testament to the power and beauty of Mother Nature.

What was it like when you first saw Mount Everest?

“This is my 2nd Nomadic Knights ride.

The highlight off the bikes was Palolem beach – we were right on the beach, watching the sunset and sat round having a few beers – happy days.

On the bikes, the highlight was the little bit of the off-roading that we did and the roads with plenty of bends where you can get on it a little bit!

Riding in India is chaotic, interesting, good, and you have to be confident – I think it’s great. Make sure you’re prepared for it, it’s probably not for the faint-hearted, not just riding the bike, but temperatures and some of the road surfaces.

All in all, the Grand Canyon India ride is more of a holiday than a serious bike ride because it’s mostly tarmac and a fairly steady pace.

I’d absolutely do it again.” – Jack.

Wise words from Jack, and we absolutely agree – this ride is definitely more of a holiday than an extreme adventure.

But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

It’s still India after all! It will still challenge and surprise you, but the tarmac, beaches, and sunshine make it easier.

Plus, we’ve been riding here since 2006 – so you’re in safe hands.

Wish you were here…?

We get it.

The return to work or everyday life after an adventure can be surprisingly difficult.

It’s not just you.

That rush of freedom, the newness, the exploration, the challenge, the sense of purpose – it sticks to your skin. And then, suddenly, you’re back in meetings, inboxes, and routines that feel strangely small.

You’ve changed. But everything else has stayed the same.

That restlessness? It’s your soul trying to bridge two worlds – the wild and the ordinary. The trick isn’t to go back to “normal”. It’s to keep that hunger for adventure alive.

The cure? More adventure.

Don’t let that fire burn out – your soul craves it.

If you’re still wishing you were there, take it as a sign: make a promise to yourself to keep chasing what sets you free.

You can thank us later.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.