Kim Rieck - Enduro India

After the first two days I was a bit like an autistic child - just too much sensory input. As one of the three yanks. I left India at the end of each day only to find myself in the UK. Overwhelming memories? They're all overwhelming !! Ok, then - emerald green tea plantations studded with jewel toned sari-clad old tea pickers, the worlds most cheerful and friendly children waving and hand slapping, coming across an unanticipated parade led by a village band and an elephant. Dumping the bullet on a dirt hairpin and finding myself pinned underneath (feeling of accomplishment in fighting free, righting and restarting the bike and riding off unassisted vastly outweighed the embarrassment and bruises. I'd say it is really too soon to recognise what I have learned.

Phil Gordon - Enduro India

I now find myself with mixed emotions, motivated to do more for worthy causes such as Adventure Ashram, motivated to teach my students the real meaning of life. Also feelings of guilt for putting material values so high on my list in life.
 
My overwhelming memories are the children, they are so welcoming with no hidden agenda, just wanting to practice their English. Never have I seen such appreciation of a simple gift such as a pen or pencil. I truly believe Indian children and their families can teach westerners important lessons relating to the true meaning of life. I have had a difficult time trying to explain the experiences of the trip to folks at home, only participants of the trip will truly understand what emotions have been roused as a result of the Enduro India experience. This is no holiday, so look elsewhere for pampering. It’s an experience that only a few people in the world are brave enough to undertake as it removes you from the comforts of the western lifestyle.
 
WARNING: Only those people who are prepared to have their eyes opened to the real meaning of life should apply to Enduro India. Rock on, keep up the good work.

Dave Hughes - Enduro Himalaya

The most enjoyable, exhilarating, exciting motorcycling I have ever been fortunate enough to be a part of. Great organisation and accommodation, incredibly professional leadership with a relaxed style, it was breathtaking, colourful and is one adventure everyone should explore.

Ian Russell - Enduro Himalaya

WOW what an experience! No amount of words or promises can prepare anyone that has not been on Enduro India. What you will see, feel, and be a part of is amazing. The first week was mind blowing – people have nothing but smiles and waves. The route is lined with simply thousands of smiling cheering waving people who feel privileged just to say hello or to listen to you talking together. Never asking for anything just interested.

And those kids! Amazing – no really amazing. The sight of a pen could see you drown amongst a sea of smiling loving laughing beautiful children. Enduro India has changed the way I view aspects of the day to day grind. Will I be a better person? – I hope so. You guys delivered your promises, thanks for letting me become part of it, oh and those roads…Long live Enduro India.

Daniel Taylor - Enduro Himalaya Jeep

It’s been a long trip where my driving has really improved, the country and the people really made me look at my life back home and has enabled me to realise how lucky we really are. I’ve had a really great trip, it’s a real eye opener and the team are doing something very special.

Paul Kershaw - Enduro Himalaya Jeep

Initially realised that I was way out of my depth but thankfully I was not alone, as we got to grips with the bike it went from fear to comfort to immense fun. By far the best team in the world.

Tim Constable - Enduro Africa

Enduro Africa gave me the opportunity to live outside my comfort zone mentally and physically through motorcycling and connecting with the people of South Africa. I had a blast, it was an amazing experience all the way through, you see so much that ordinary tourists just cannot see on this trip! The team were top people.

Amanda Wake - Enduro Africa

I like to live life to the full and I have never felt so alive as on Enduro Africa. Even if someone had told me what I would achieve as part of the team it couldn't encapsulate the full experience. There have been many lows but many many amazing highs - too many to mention. Even falling off on the tech stage is a fond memory that will live with me for many years to come. Everyone has come so far from those wobbly first few days and that is just astounding. The bruises and aches will fade those memories and many friendships will not.

Sue Suttill - Enduro Himalaya

Overwhelming memories are the children and their enthusiasm, always smiling and waving – even running to make sure they get to the road on time to see you go by. Also the warmth and friendliness of the people as a whole. Many times I just asked a lady in a house or shop for a toilet and was invited into their home – even if it was just a little hut with a hole in the ground – everyone asked me my name, where I was from what I was doing – I was introduced to children, grandparents and parents every day – WONDERFUL PEOPLE!! So honest, I never got the wrong change and they always sent me in the right direction. We can certainly learn a lot from them. We are all too cold most of the time and they are full of happiness and love even though they have nothing and we have so much. It has made me realise how lucky we are – to see beggars with one leg made me want to cry. Not once did we feel unwelcome or threatened in any way. The scenery in the tea plantations and the hairpin bends were magnificent – pictures will never do it justice. Thankyou for the experience – no sickness was going to keep me off that bike, I’m going to come back next year and ride it myself. Just Brilliant.

Don Carcas - Enduro India

The most overwhelming memory of India will be the friendliness and smiles of the people we met along the way, they made us all so welcome. Although the trip leaves you tired it removes some of the cynicism that our ‘normal’ way of life develops in us. As bikers I think we are more receptive to alternatives in culture and ways of life. Unfortunately too few of us are in positions of power in the establishment so are unable to make more of a difference in the world at large. Enduro has brought us together to enjoy India, each others company and companionship – for me it was summed up by a friend made on the trip, my riding companion Garth Abrams caught the essence of Enduro in these few words “Never behind you, never in front of you – Always by your side” Thanks to Si and all the crew for the cleansing.

Per Bj. Simble - Arctic Enduro

A fantastic trip with true globetrotters! It was a joy for me to be able to showcase the northernmost part of Norway, the nature, and the people up here to which I myself belong and which makes me proud indeed. Life up here on the tundra highland assumes a different meaning... to understand each other, nature, and the wildlife means everything, and time fades in importance. Farther away from the stress of the modern city as is physically possible.

“The good life will come” believe them not. Life arrives not, life is here every day. Cherish it, keep it, make it yours!

Jeremy Adam - Arctic Enduro

You deliver the most amazing experiences. The geography, the animals, the people, the culture, the astronomy, the endurance, the hot tub, the memories – all part of the usual Enduro uniqueness – and the laughter (priceless and highly therapeutic for us sad bankers) as well as the friendship, simply immeasurable.

This time though you’ve managed to make me focus on something else Enduro excels at. You rewrite the nations' borders as they exist on the map of the world today and replace them with areas that represent cultural values (past and present) based on natural reality and essential humanity.

The global materiality I live with today simply disappeared in the Sámi wilderness as easily as it does in the Nilgiris or the mountains of Ladakh. The dog sledding and skidoo riding with nature’s irrelevance for man’s national boundaries was a truly wonderful insight into the world of a sympathetic tribe/people whose lives are aligned to this planet, not their politicians. Thank you.

Niamh Coulter - Karma Enduro

Have seen more amazing sights in the past 2 weeks than most people see in a lifetime. I have been amazed, overwhelmed, emotionally elated, terrified, exhausted, humbled and grateful to get to the end of the day. But have had the most amazing time and am grateful to have had the opportunity to have it with such a fantastic group of people. I want to do it all again.

Justin Cooper - Karma Enduro

Wow, how to start! Reflections on India – dirty, smelly and chaotic yes but what a country! Vivid colours, spices, flora and fauna and simply fantastic people! Truly a humbling experience where I have made new friends with fellow rallyists and enjoyed simply numerous new challenges which have stretched me mentally and physically. Thank you Enduro – what a great team!