Conquering the Himalayas: My First Motorbike Adventure on One of the World's Most Dangerous Roads
A wild party in Goa, befriending the former mayor of Kasol, and picking up hitchhikers on the way down - a rollercoaster ride through the majestic mountains of northern India
Falling in love with the Himalayas
As I took a taxi after arriving with the bus from Kullu Village, I immediately fell in love with the stunning landscapes, the kind people, and the adventurous spirit that permeated the air. It was a love affair that would continue for years to come. Little did I know that my first foray into the Himalayas would involve a hair-raising journey on one of the world’s most dangerous roads, riding a motorbike without any prior experience, and befriending the former mayor of Kasol, Palu. But before I could fully immerse myself in this adventure, I had to contend with the after-effects of a wild party in Goa, which left me feeling ill and exhausted. As I arrived at my hotel room in Kasol, I was greeted not only by the breathtaking views of the Parvati River but also by the unwelcome presence of large spiders. Little did I know that this would be just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride through the majestic mountains of northern India.”
Yano Biobabas Inkognito Mode
As I arrived in the Parvati Valley of the Himalayas, I was feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. I had just come from Goa, where I had been playing gigs and partying with DJ Hyperactive 25 from Switzerland. I was feeling ill when I arrived in the mountains. The high altitude might have played a role.
Riding a motorbike for the first time in the Himalayas
Despite feeling under the weather, I was determined to make the most of my time in the Parvati Valley. And what better way to explore this stunning landscape than on a motorbike?
There was only one problem: I had never ridden a motorbike before, and I didn’t even have a license. But I was ready for an adventure and willing to take risks.
To start, I was learning how to drive a bike in a hotel parking lot. I was shaky at first, but with each passing minute, I started to feel more confident. Yano gave me some pointers, and soon enough, I was ready to hit the road.
Yano and I set off from Kasol, heading up to Tosh, a village in the mountains. The journey was challenging at first, but I soon got the hang of it. And before I knew it, I was zipping along the roads like a pro.
Befriending the former mayor of Kasol
The beauty of Himachal Pradesh
But it wasn’t just the scenery that made this journey so special. It was also the people I met along the way, including the former Mayor of Kasol, Palu.
Palu was a kind and generous man who welcomed us into his home and shared stories about the history and culture of the Parvati Valley. He warned us about the dangerous road from Kasol to Tosh, which was known to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world.This is true especially back when this story happened.
We got the motorbike from the only village mechanic, and it was his very own personal bike, a Royal Enfield 500cc Classic. The journey up to Tosh was bumpy and challenging. We crossed waterfalls that flushed over the unpaved road, big rocks laying on the road as well as oncoming traffic. Yano slowly led the way and I deligently followed him. We were not going very fast of course. This was a thing involving constant life danger. I`m pretty sure also Yano was aware of this despite his over 12 years of experience in the Himalayas. He trusted me and knew that I am not an Idiot. The whole story sounds crazy, and to be honest, it was. But I am very happy it happened as it did, this really made me fall in love with motorbikes on a whole other level. Up to this day I am grateful to Yano for the beautiful time we shared and the trust he put inside me.
The cold embrace of the Parvati River
Palu`s Dog
As we arrived back in safety near Kasol, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. The cold that the Parvati River emitted was refreshing and invigorating. I had just completed one of the most challenging journeys of my life and had come out alive.
This journey was my baptism into the world of biking. Over the years, I became an avid biker and can proudly say that I have driven tens of thousands of kilometers in various countries like India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. But this journey will always hold a special place in my heart.
