~ 61 motorcyclists including 6 women flagged off covering a distance of over 2400 kilometres across 18 days ~
New Delhi, July 08, 2017: The 14th edition of Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Odyssey was flagged off today, from India Gate, the country’s most iconic landmark. Considered the holy grail of motorcycling, Himalayan Odyssey this year saw 61 motorcyclists including 6 women riders embark on a journey where they will be traversing some of the roughest terrains and highest mountain passes in the world, covering a distance of over 2400 kilometres in 18 days on their Royal Enfield motorcycles. The contingent was flagged off by Mr. Rudratej Singh, President, Royal Enfield. As a long standing tradition, the lamas chanted prayers and blessed the riders at the flag-off ceremony held at India Gate.
Addressing the riders at the flag-off ceremony, Mr. Rudratej Singh, President Royal Enfield said, “The Himalayan Odyssey is more to us than a marquee ride event. It represents a clarion call to get on a Royal Enfield and kick-start a lifelong journey towards self discovery. If the Himalayas are our spiritual home, then the Himalayan Odyssey is a pilgrimage to our purpose of kick-starting explorations through pure motorcycling. Each year, we have a growing number of riders that traverse the Himalayas. These riders are our true brand custodians, who nudge others to ride along with them while charting new courses. Our endeavour is to keep doing acts like the Himalayan odyssey that give the uninitiated an inspiration to start riding and nudge our customers/riders to ride more and be the flag-bearers of our type of motorcycling.”
The participants for the Himalayan Odyssey have gathered from across India, including cities like Ernakulam, Dindigul, Calicut, Vidisha and Vellore to be a part of the expedition. The riders will reach Leh on July 12 and will proceed to Khardung-La on July 14. They will be going through Keylong and Kaza, reaching Narkanda on July 22 before finally culminating the ride in Chandigarh on July 23. From the mighty peaks, down to teasing mountain curves, the riders will come face to face with the most challenging riding terrains in the world for the sheer love of motorcycling.
During the ride, the weather is likely to shift remarkably, from scorching hot to icy cold as riders will make their way through picturesque regions of the Himalayas, which house within themselves one of the most hostile and challenging environments for motorcycling. Each turn will expose riders to a new landscape like no other, leading them eventually to getting surrounded by the overwhelming beauty of the great Himalayan peaks.
About Royal Enfield:
The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic bikes. With its new manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield is able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. With more than 50% growth every year for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is fast becoming a very important player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and is working towards re-inventing this space with motorcycles that are evocative and engaging and great fun to ride.
Royal Enfield’s product line‐up in India includes the Bullet, Classic and Thunderbird models in 350 and 500cc displacement along with Continental GT 535cc café racer and the purpose built Himalayan powered by the new LS410 engine. Royal Enfield operates through 17 company-operated stores and 705+ dealers in all major cities and towns in India, and exports to over 50 countries across the world including the USA, UK, several European and Latin American countries, as well as the Middle East and South East Asia.
Royal Enfield also organizes and supports many motorcycling events and rides globally, more prominently the Rider Mania – an annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders from all over the world to the lovely beaches of Goa, and the Himalayan Odyssey, the most arduous motorcycle ride over some of the toughest roads and highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. Royal Enfield also conducts the popular ‘One Ride’ where people around the world ride out on their motorcycles on the first Sunday of April.
