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Welcome to chapter twenty-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

Not the place to play chicken…

It’s quite a surreal situation, facing a massive truck hurtling down towards you on the narrowest roads you might’ve ever ridden.

It’s easy for fear or ego to take over.
Too much of either and there could be a problem.

In these situations, it’s about getting the right balance of confidence and cautiousness.

It all works out, as long as you find the balance and hold your nerve.

Conditions during the tour will challenge us all, but rider competence is much more important than experience.

It will test you for sure.

But that’s part of the challenge and what makes life more exciting, right?

Tomorrow, we reach Everest Base Camp…

There’s a buzz of excitement in the air, reminiscent of being kids on Christmas Eve – and understandably so.

It’s the day most of our riders have been waiting for.

We ride to one of the most famous places on the planet. A place where legends have been forged.

In the morning, we’ll tackle a high pass and over endless switchbacks with more than 117 curves before riding up a wide and dry valley.

We arrive with plenty of time to visit Everest Base Camp at an altitude of just over 17,000 feet. (5,200 metres).

The highest mountain on this planet looms majestically just over your shoulder, and we’ll spend the evening taking photographs and watching the sun go down over her peak.

I can assure you that these moments will stay etched in your memory forever.

It’s been 6 months…

But the conversations are still flowing since our ride in February 2025.

You find that on these adventures, while the riding has stopped, the connections live on.

It’s a strange yet endearing situation that reflects the best of humanity – going from meeting people for the first time, complete strangers, to fondly thinking about them, recalling stories, talking about them, and even missing them after the ride. It’s almost impossible to explain to people back home.

But it’s no surprise: the strongest bonds are often formed in the face of adversity and adventure.

As each day presents new challenges, riders grow closer – sharing moments that last a lifetime.

It’s made all the more special when it’s such a like-minded group.

Yes, the destinations are out of this world, but…

The journey mustn’t be overlooked.

We can become so consumed by the next task, reaching the next place, or chasing the next milestone that, when we finally arrive, we forget the time in between.

Yet it’s that time that offers us the most valuable lessons, teaches us immeasurable skills, and ultimately shapes the entire experience.

Next time you’re on a ride, soak it all in.

Stop.
Look around you.
Enjoy the moment and be present.

After all, life itself is a journey – not a destination.

A land of traditions more than 1,000 years old…

Riding through the mystical and magical lands of Tibet is an absolute sensory overload.

It’s a place full of extremes, and is one of the most adventurous, scenically stunning and exciting motorcycle destinations on the planet. It’s also an incredibly enlightening experience – spiritually, culturally and emotionally.

This is a place where traditions date back as early as the 7th century. The Tibetan Buddhist people are compassionate, gentle and resilient despite their years of isolation, struggle and hardship.

As we explore, you’ll spot curious details all around – most of which carry deep-rooted meaning.
Even the black-painted window frames on Tibetan buildings.

They aren’t just decorative. In Tibetan Buddhism, black is the colour of the goddess who protects the Dharma, and painting the frames black is believed to ward off evil spirits.

These are the things most will miss, but we won’t.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.