Over the last 30 days, on the shortest of notice I found myself in India atop a Royal Enfield 411 Hymalayian Motor Cycle - to my delight what happed next has been truly transformative.
As we worked our way around the Northernmost State in India Ladakh, we were averaging 14000 feet or more in elevation per day. The ole Enfield soon became my best friend. About a week into the adventure, I asked myself - when was the last time I really road a dirt bike - yet alone 3000 + kilometers in a month? I realized it had been more than 35 years! Yet the bike and I soon bonded and you could not wipe the smile from my dial - just the unending dust! Riding between 5-10 hours per-day we went where few had been before. Lalik, our fearless leader was always coming up with the .... unepected to say the least. I realized all my time on the Turbo Levo eBike had sealed in the reflexes for the dirt and pavement challenging us each day. I was doing just fine and now I knew why.
At this elevation you get a little dizzy just walking - yet all 12 of our group did just fine (5 Kiwis, 5 Americans and 2 from France) We went over 6 or 7 passes around or close to this hieght, yet the beast in a snow storm was over 19300ft. - 5853M feet ( UMLING LA) .
This is the highest road in the world by any standard. A great achievement for all, yet that was nothing compared to the Tibetan and Nepalese refugees working on the roads at this elevation 12 hours per day with smiles on their faces as we rode by. Humility hit home on just how hard their lives were, whilst we had a staff of 6-7 looking after 12 of us. To say our joys were conflicted would be an understatement. Many of the group talked openly and frankly about the emotions that poured out time and time again. Many times we were moved to tears as mothers with children on their backs would uncomplaining move rocks or make concrete in a wind-chill that had to be below zero.
Yet they did not pity themselves - most of the time it was a genuine smile for those of us on the motorbikes and a high five of excitement as we rode by... and that made it all the more humbling.
Colourful, a day of rest and celebration for the Tibetan Refugees, in the small town of Leh.
What an ancient land -
Thank you to Ladakh Moto Tours for a trip of a lifetime!
(3150 KMS 1-30 Sept. 2024)
Lalik - I was not expecting that!
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