Himalayan Odyssey - The Time Of My Life

‘I am definitely doing this again’ – I promised myself, as I stood by the side of the road. I was looking at breathtaking view of magnificent mountains with snow capped peaks hidden in the clouds, lush green sides sloping down to a deep valley with a gushing river flowing through with a force that could move big boulders. Apart from the sound of the wild river the only other sound was a distant faint thumping of a motorcycle. I was riding with the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey 2007 and had just crossed Rohtang pass on our way to Manali. This was the 12th day of the trip.

I had returned to India after an 8 year gap of not having ridden a motorcycle. I had heard about the Himalayan Odyssey from friends I’d made trying to get back into riding once I moved to Chennai. The riding scene in India has matured and grown a lot since then with almost every major city with a couple of very active motorcycle clubs. I was 22 then and 35 KGS lighter and now I wanted to see if I still had it in me. I had convinced my wife to let me participate by saying that this would be a once in a lifetime thing. Stupid me!

So, after a lot of arguments, discussions, pleading, dinners and jewelery, I got permission from the boss to participate in the Himalayan Odyssey 2008. My friend Arul Futnani, fellow (rather the only other) Fat Bastard and a farmer by profession had been pestering me from the day I had returned from last years ride to accompany him in 2008.

Fifty odd participants and media personnel from various automotive magazines get together for an experience they will never forget, for one reason or another. It takes about two weeks to cover about 2500 kilometers, from Delhi to Khardung-la Pass and back through the majestic, beautiful and humbling Himalayas with riders from all over the country - I counted 10 state number plates. The riders are accompanied by a logistics support staff; a luggage truck carrying everyone’s baggage and spare parts and tools; a service vehicle with mechanics/engineers from Royal Enfield; a vehicle with a doctor, his assistant and medical supplies and equipment and a media van. One news channel covers the ride one way to Khardung-la and another on the way back.

The 2500 kilometer ride was through Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – (via Rohtang Pass) Keylong – (via Barlach la pass) Sarchu – (via Nakeela, Lachung la and Tanglang la passes) Rumtse – Leh - Khardung la – Leh – Debring (Sokhar Lake, More Plains) – Keylong – Kaza (Spiti Valley) – Kalpa – Rampur – Solan – Delhi.

A number of people have asked me why did I take part in the Odyssey, and why twice? I should have done the second time on my own with a smaller group of friends. It is more adventurous and fun. I disagree. I had the time of my life on both the trips. Both were two different experiences; both very soul satisfying. The scenery changes so often that no matter how many times you do it; each time will be a different experience. Maybe it's because the people on each ride are different and very diverse. Conversations in the evening are fun, ranging from typical guy talk about babes and bikes to careers and ambitions.

The Odyssey is not a competition. There are no losers, everyone is a winner. There are no points for reaching a destination first; no negative points for falling. The thrill is in participation. Maybe I am getting old, but I see absolutely no reason why I should not opt for comfort and leave the logistics to someone else. It leaves my mind free to enjoy the ride.

Everyone has their own terrain preferences, but most people tend to enjoy riding off the beaten path (or tarmac in this case). There are steep inclines, hairpin bends, long never ending curves, water crossing and remnants of recently cleared landslides. About 50% of the ride is over very rough terrain. One stretch was 80 kilometers of road that had never seen tarmac, almost half of it through a river bed. By the 9th or 10th day for most riders the definition of a good road being rough, gravel and sand changes to mirror finish smooth.

Everyone has their own reasons to doing the ride too. In talking to people in the last ride and this year, I've heard almost every reason I could think of and more. Some do it for the off-road riding experience, some for the thrill and bragging rights to have been to the highest motor-able road in the world (Khardung La at 18,380 feet above sea level), some people come in groups to enjoy time with their friends, few nature lovers and a few from a totally tourist perspective. I've heard one person say that he does not know exactly why he was on the ride, but he'd heard it was a great experience. The diversity of the riders is amazing too; ages range from 19 to 45, a few women riders, doctors, engineers, professionals, businessmen, IT professionals and this time even a farmer! It just goes to show that enthusiastic riders, even in India, are not limited to a gender, age, race, profession and region. The first time I did it as a test for myself and the second time because Royal Enfield just makes is easier by way of organizing everything. I wouldn't do a ride like the Himalayan Odyssey any other way.

Standing on the side of the road during the last Odyssey, resolving to come back again, I was thinking, almost sad that I may never feel this way again. It was fantastic feeling of freedom, satisfaction and euphoria. You will never feel the same way again, no matter how many times you participate in the Odyssey because every time will feel different, same but different. Different because the people are different, a year has passed and your life has gone through some changes. Last year I did not know anyone on the Odyssey and this year I was with friends. Each year I had the time of my life.

Another Odyssey next year? I don't know. I am not saying I will, but I also not promising that I will not!