Thursday 22 September 2016

SB Himalayas 2016: Part 1

From Anthony Brown, Mr DTRA, having just returned from the second Sideburn Himalayas Trip.

This is the first of a short series of blog posts I am writing to try and give a flavour of what people should expect from sideburn promoted trips and in particular the Sideburn x Helmet stories trip we just completed in the Himalaya’s. Motorcycling to me is much more than just riding it’s about sharing experiences with a group of likeminded people and that’s why the guys at Helmet Stories love this collab with Sideburn. From the moment we all meet to the rushed goodbyes as we headed back to our planes we all got along and laughed together as we shared in a fantastic experience.

The trip did not feel super curated or planned down to the last mile. Helmet stories do a great job of keeping things right without a feeling of formality, from the initial planning emails to the ride itself things were laid back and relaxed. For eighteen riders, some of whom have never meet before, to hang out together for a 6 days in what can be sometimes challenging circumstances things need to be right. If you have an urge to explore on motorcycles and the words above sound like your kind of fun then I would encourage you to get yourself signed up for the next trip. 
GC45 (Geoff Cain hanging with the Suicide Squad taxi drivers

For those who have not been before, India is a headf*ck, as crazy as it is beautiful and as welcoming as it is chaotic. Ten hours in a suicide squad taxi from Chandigarh to Manali was a great way to break us in gently. Stops for chai and lunch gave a break from the crazy driving and the Indian music played by VK, our driver. Arriving in Manali down a dirt track to an amazing bungalow complex was a welcome treat. 21 Royal Enfield’s in a line ready for adventure was a great sight. Last showers and cold beers set the scene for a 190km ride the following day. 
Main Men Vir and Harsh were riding the new Enfield Himalayans. They seemed to work really well on the roads we took over the trip. Read Vir launch report on this bike in Sideburn 25
DTRA rider Brad Hardman gives the Trip the thumbs up 

Another instalment coming soon....

If you're interested in going on the Helmet Stories x Sideburn Himalayas trip in September 2017, email us at dirt @ sideburnmagazine.com

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