Well quiet frankly it was excellent.

I've done a few tours over the years but, this was my first trip where I didn't know anyone else who was going, before I got there.

I'd just saw the advert in MCN, looked at the Website (well worth a look even if you have no interest in going) and through, "I've gotta go !!!".

If I'm honest, the thought of going on my own was a bit daunting. But in the end I decided nothing ventured, nothing gained. It was a chance to see new places, meet new people and experience a 1950's Royal Enfield Bullet 500. So what if I didn't know anyone, a stranger is just someone you haven't met yet.

Once the deposit was handed over there was no turning back, and I'm so glad I didn't.

There were 36 bikes on the trip, several support vehicles, and lots of new faces. People from all walks of life, with one thing in common . Motorbikes, the great leveller. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share the trip with.

Up until now, my biking experiences had always been limited to Japanese and Italian bike, and to be completely honest I had no interest in British Bikes what so ever.

So to spend 2 weeks on an old British bike was completely new for me. Now the knowledgeable among you will point out, that technically it's not a British bike. As it currently made in India today. However, the Indian manufactures took the original 1950's design and build them with virtually no alterations. The only modification I could see, was a welcome electric start button (although mine didn't work – rats !!!).

Anyhow, technicalities aside, it my diary, so as far as I'm concerned it's a British Bike.

The electric start not working wasn't a problem at all. Once I'd been shown how to kick it over, it started amazingly easily. Very comfortable, and handled the terrain far, far better than I ever expect. There were a few break downs and mishaps over the 2 weeks, but you never had to wait long for one of the mechanics to pull up alongside, and cheerfully fix your bike to get you on your way again.

After riding it for 2000km or so, I have a say that the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 has deservedly earnt my full and total respect. Although, and perhaps this proves I'm not as much of a biker as I'd like to think, I'm just so glad the Japanese started making Motorbikes. It was so nice to get back home to my VFR.

Not really much I can say about the Himalayas themselves, other than, “they are jaw-droppingly amazing, wow !!!“ . You have to see them for yourself. No words that I can come up with do them justice. Even the photos don't capture their grandeur.

As for India as a hole. What a brilliant place. The people are amazing. Compared to what we have in the UK, they are poor, but are so happy and content. And if you like curry / Indian food you'll be in heaven. They eat it for breakfast, dinner and tea, and it was well nice. A personal favourite of mine was the nan breads (can't remember their Indian name).

Anyways, that enough rambling from me. If you want to know more, read the Daily Diary's with the photos (assuming I've actually got around to completing them), or better still go and do it yourself.

A huge thanks goes to everyone on the trip, organisers, punters, support crew, medics, etc. Without them it would have been a lot lonelier, and I'd have probably got lost !!!!

If you want to Checkout the Organisers	They also do other trips if you are interested
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