This World Motorcycle Day, experience the joy of pure motorcycling by reminiscing these iconic rides
June 21 marks World Motorcycle Day, a day celebrating the spirit of motorcycling. While motorcycling enthusiasts celebrate every ride as they do on World Motorcycle Day. Motorcycling is much more than just riding, the kind of motorcycle you own or what you use it for, it is more about the relationship you share with your ride.
Royal Enfield, the iconic motorcycle brand and the pioneer in the leisure motorcycling space through its marquee rides and motorcycle-led events and experiences, has always encouraged riding enthusiasts to explore the world around them and rediscover themselves. By constantly encouraging motorcyclists to ‘Ride More’ the brand has brought the community together to participate in the wonderful pursuit of ‘Pure Motorcycling experience’.
As the entire world fights the COVID-19 pandemic by staying safe at home, the riding community has been patiently waiting for things to normalize so that they can ride out again. Till they are able to mount their favorite motorcycles for their next ride, on World Motorcycle Day, here’s a throwback to some epic moments from the Royal Enfield EPIC rides.
DBO – Karakoram Expedition – Royal Enfield in collaboration with the Indian Army, undertook the first winter motorcycle expedition to Karakoram Pass; Himalayan Heights. The expedition, in a single journey, skirted India’s borders with both Pakistan and China.
Covering over 1,000 km and some of the world’s highest motorable roads for a duration of 9 days, this unprecedented feat over hazardous and unforgiving terrain with temperatures as low as -40C was a tribute to the immortal courage and bravery of the Indian Army.
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Motorcycling as a genre has strong synergy with photography, and with an aim to always go above and beyond, the band curated the Astral Ride especially for motorcycle and astral photography enthusiasts. It was an absolute masterstroke of blending the joys of photography with the thrills of riding.
This year the participants cruised to the famous salt plains of the Rann of Kutch on a quest to capture the cosmic marvel that is best viewed from this geography. The supremely refined, easy, and accessible cruiser – Royal Enfield Meteor 350, was the perfect companion to take the participants across vistas they never imagined.
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Continuing to explore the scenic Himalayan routes – the spiritual home of Royal Enfield, free the soul, and Himalayan Adventure – Rongbuk is a ride that offers a chance to ride to the high mountains of Nepal and Tibet, that are not frequented by tourists.
Royal Enfield ventured into the core of the Himalayan region, Tibet to attempt an overland journey to the base camps of three of the eight thousand meter peaks in the world, Mt Everest, Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu. While the ride to Rongbuk is the highlight of the ride, the journey to the Shishapangma and the Cho Oyu base camps is equally stunning.
As tradition dictates, July is the season to ride to the Himalayas and is also the time for Royal Enfield’s marquee ride, Himalayan Odyssey. The ride is an opportunity for riders to rediscover the Himalayan landscape through 10 days of adventure riding. It involves riding through some of the most challenging terrain, water crossings, and uncharted roads, offering an experience like no other.
In 2019, Himalayan Odyssey aimed for a zero ‘single-use-plastic-ride’ by discouraging participants from using bottled water and facilitating purified water by employing dispensers along the way. The ride was flagged off from Chandigarh, with 60 riders embarking on a journey covering a distance of over 2,000 km in 15 days on their Royal Enfield motorcycles. The 2019 edition of the Odyssey included a new objective to the ride – making it more environmentally sustainable.