Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey flagged off from India Gate

The 2016 Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey has been flagged off on Monday, July 11, 2017, from Delhi’s most iconic landmark- the India Gate. The 2016 Himalayan Odyssey is the 13th edition of the event and it marks the debut of Himalayan Odyssey-Women (HO-W), a women's only edition of the event. Flagged off from Delhi, two contingents of over 100 men and women riders will ride on different routes before converging at Leh, Ladakh.

The HO-W will have an all-women crew comprising of the service staff, technicians and doctors to support and assist the riders throughout the journey. The participants will make their way to Khardung La pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, riding through three mountain ranges and six passes along the way. The Khardung La pass is situated at an elevation of 17,582 feet. The flag-off ceremony was marked by lamas chanting prayers and blessing the riders. The two contingents were flagged off by Royal Enfield's Senior VP of Sales, Services and Spares, Shaji Koshy.

Koshy, addressing the riders at the ceremony, said, "For over six decades, Royal Enfield has been the motorcycle of choice for all those who have wanted to ride to the mountains. The Himalayan Odyssey has championed leisure motorcycling in the way it has initiated scores of people to ride to Ladakh. With each passing year, a new set of riders are initiated into this extraordinary expedition. This year, we have introduced the Himalayan Odyssey- Women, an exclusive all women’s ride that promises to be the ultimate motorcycling adventure for all women who ride a Royal Enfield. We have received an encouraging response towards this and we hope this ride becomes an inspiration for many more women to take up motorcycling in India."

The women riders' contingent comprises of riders hailing from not just metropolitan cities but also from smaller towns like Tirupur, Bilaspur, Chiitinagar and Kumbakonam as well. The 2016 edition of the Himalayan Odyssey plays host to participants from countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, France, and the UK.

Speaking on the adaptability of the Royal Enfield Himalayan on challenging terrains (2016 also marks the Himalayan's debut in this event), Shaji said, "The Himalayan is the culmination of Royal Enfield’s 60 years of enduring history in its spiritual home — the Himalayas. Our single biggest insight in all these years of riding has been that the best motorcycle for the Himalayas is not one that tries to dominate its landscape but one that is able to go with its flow. With its purpose-built ground-up design, the Himalayan is a simple and capable go-anywhere motorcycle that will redefine adventure touring in India."

The 13th edition of Royal Enfield's flagship ride see the riders pass through Narkanda, Sarchu, Jispa and Leh, all over the course of 15 days. Royal Enfield has been organising the Himalayan Odyssey since 2003 with the purpose of bringing together motorcycling enthusiasts and enriching their experience of riding a Royal Enfield.