BLOG

Welcome to chapter twenty three 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

“I never knew roads like this existed…”

Neither did we.

With the constant addition of speed cameras and roads busier than ever, sights like this seem like a fabric of your imagination.

Until you see and experience them for yourself.

Winding through the peaks, not another vehicle for miles, and the only ones watching are the fibreglass policemen and the occasional yak.

If you’re wondering if these roads are as enjoyable as they look, we can safely say they are – probably even better than you imagined.

Not suitable for tourists…

These aren’t trips for tourists looking to check off the sites and take a selfie; it’s an experience that reconnects us to a wider world and an adventure that invigorates the soul. We take the lesser-known routes and ride roads most motorcyclists will never know about, let alone see.

Staying off the main roads means we ride through winding forest roads, vibrant bustling towns, rural farmlands not many have explored, allowing us to catch a glimpse of what life is really like here.

It’s an experience like no other.

Do or do not.

There’s no try.

Be focused and complete what you started.

Use all of your skills and abilities to overcome obstacles.

Commit and learn from the greatest teacher – failure.

According to legend, many of the iconic ideas in Star Wars, such as the Jedi, Sith Lords, Yoda, and the mystical Force, were influenced by Buddhism.

As you explore Kathmandu, you might spot parallels between the spiritual Buddhist culture and the Jedi Code.

Road rage or wishing safe travels?

Situations like this could really enrage some people.

“Why are they coming?

Can’t they see I’m already coming through?

We’re not both going to fit!” – and so on.

But if you’ve ridden in India before, you’ll know: if there’s a space, it’s going to be filled.

But instead of anger or frustration at the tight squeeze, you’ll often hear people saying hello or wishing you good luck on your journey.

This is the beauty of these trips.

They offer some of the best riding anywhere on the planet, but many of the most cherished memories will happen in moments like these – in the most random places, simply chatting with people as they pass by.

Every now and then, we get stuck.

The reasons why can vary drastically and are usually outside of our control.

These reasons can fester in our minds, producing very little – if any – productivity. In times like these, we need to turn our attention to what we can control: our reactions and our future actions.

These are the things that will help the situation and move us forward.

No matter what, we always get there in the end – with a bit of help, some common sense, and a good sense of humour. It might not be the way we originally planned or imagined the scenario, but it’s better than staying stuck, ruminating over why.

It’s all part of the adventure after all!

Enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you on the next one.