The sheer pleasure of discovering oneself while surmounting the challenges of perilous terrain is a tribute tothe togetherness, the attitude and the bond that a motorcycle can create amongst total strangers.
- Sachin Chavan, Lead rider, Himalayan Odyssey 2010
India Gate, New Delhi, June 19, 2010:
The seventh edition of the Himalayan Odyssey was flagged off early this morning by RL Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield Motorcycles. This year the Himalayan Odyssey charts a different course and extends the definition of arduous adventure riding. Going beyond Khardung La into Nubra valley and exploring virgin territory, the seventh edition of this annually organized Royal Enfield ride promises incomparable excitement to all its 60 participants.
Starting today, the bikers will cover a distance of 2560 kms before they reconverge at Delhi on July 3. The youngest member of this entourage is all of 22 while the oldest is touching 60, an open testimony to the fact that where there is a will, there is a way. En route, medical help for the bikers and mechanical help for their machines is onhand 24/7.
Addressing the assemblage of motorcycle enthusiasts and wellwishers gathered at the India Gate, RL Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield, said, The Himalayan Odyssey has become a pilgrimage for the riders.They come from far and near to take this ride. Last year, Royal Enfield ventured into other rides as well. Weve set course on the Southern Odyssey, the Tour of Rajasthan, the Rann of Kutch and the MumbaiGoa Highway rides. We are soon to embark upon the Spiti Valley ride and the Ride of the NorthEast. Royal Enfield is a powerful brand and our initiatives of Keep Riding facilitate a poignant experience for our customers where they can tunein to the soul of the outdoors and yet stay connected with the claustrophobic hustlebustle of todays modern world.
I wish the riders a great time on the Himalayan Odyssey. The route to be taken this year moves via Kelong to Sarchu, Ladakh and then Khardung La. However, the novel feature of this years ride is that this year, the riders will ride on towards Nubra and pay tribute to the earthy vale of Nubra by erecting a Royal Enfield flag on its sand dunes.
The flag off ceremony began with the invoking chants of morning Ragas, a RoseandTilak ritual by children and culminated with the riders moving out in formation, the thump of their bikes keeping pace with the high notes of the classical crescendo.
Godspeed.
Life is a journey. Enjoy the trip.
About Royal Enfield:
Royal Enfield Motorcycles has been a pioneer of powerful four stroke technology in India since 1955. It is one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world and is a division of Eicher Motors Limited. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, the company offers a variety of models catering to the needs of the traditional segments, the enthusiasts, the leisure bikers and the urban youth. Royal Enfield brand stores allow for prepurchase product experience and intimacy thereby offering a unique motorcycling experience to all customers by bringing to life integrated brand values.
Royal Enfields domestic lineup includes the Bullet 350 UCE, Bullet Electra UCE, Classic 350, Classic 500 and the Thunderbird Twinspark. Internationally its motorcycles are exported to over 30 countries across the world including the USA, Japan, UK, several European countries and the Middle East. Royal Enfield is the only motorcycle company to be certified with the coveted ISO9001 and ISO14001 ratings for Quality and Environmental systems.
