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Welcome to chapter twenty 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

Does it get cold…?

Yes.

Believe it or not, it gets quite cold at altitudes of 17,000 feet and over.

The temperature can fall to -10°C overnight at Base Camp.

The air is very thin, and the snow never melts.

Luckily, we have access to heat, a huge wood/yak dung burning stove that normally does the trick. The good news is this is usually as cold as it gets on this ride in particular. It’s around 30°C in Kathmandu when we start.

Whilst we mostly expect sunshine, it’s possible that we might run into some winds, rain, sleet, or even snow.

These are the Himalayas after all.

You must be prepared for all conditions.

Hands, touching hands….

In many parts of the world, holding hands is often seen as a sign of romantic connection.

In India, however, it’s also a common expression of friendship, trust, and brotherhood. A simple, meaningful gesture that reflects closeness and mutual respect among men.

Not many of our riders hold hands, but we definitely relate to this sense of solidarity in our own way.

From storytelling, friendly competition, to plenty of jokes.

Bonds are formed.

Bonds that often last a lifetime.

“This was my second trip with Nomadic Knights, and it didn’t disappoint.

I can’t imagine another ride with such spectacular scenery, it really is mind-blowing!

If you ride a motorcycle and you want to do something to challenge yourself, to meet other like-minded riders, have a great laugh, and get away from the “norm”, then get on one of these rides with Nomadic Knights.

They’re India experts.

You won’t regret it. I’m already planning to come back again.” – Darren.

Darren gets it.

These are proper motorcycle adventures. Not your 5* all-inclusive holidays.

It’s meant to be uncomfortable at times, and it’s supposed to challenge you.

What’s life without a challenge every now and then?

Pretty boring, we’d say.

It’s easy to understand why people fall in love with Lhasa…

It’s an unexpected gem.

Rich in history, culture, and home to what some call the icon of Tibet – Potala Palace.

Over the years, it’s been home to 14 Dalai Lamas, each adding to its rich spiritual and cultural legacy.

Potala Palace towers majestically above the city, no building is higher as a mark of respect. It’s a highlight for many, and on our rest day, we’re lucky enough to be among the visitors allowed inside each day.

Within the palace lies one of Tibet’s greatest treasures: the stupa of the 5th Dalai Lama.

Standing 14.85 meters tall and covered in over 3,700 kg of gold, it’s an awe-inspiring sight. Adorned with more than 18,000 jewels, pearls, coral, amber, and agate – it’s not just a monument; it’s a masterpiece of devotion and artistry that leaves a lasting impression on all who see it.

Is seeing still believing?

Years ago, when people shared photographs or videos, there was very little doubt about whether what we were looking at was real or not.

There was almost no reason to question it. However, we now live in a world shaped by augmented reality and artificial intelligence, where what we see isn’t always reality.

We find ourselves questioning what we’re looking at, and there’s often little trust in the images or videos we see, especially on a screen.

One thing’s for sure, though: everything you see here at Nomadic Knights is real, even when it looks like something out of a dream. More importantly, everything you experience on our adventures is real.

Remember – seeing things on a screen might not always lead to believing, but experiencing the world for yourself can.

There’s nothing better than experiencing the world for yourself, especially India.

This is one of our incredible routes on our motorcycle adventure in South India.

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.