One Life to Ride: A Motorcycle Journey to the High Himalayas - Softcover

Harisinhani, Ajit

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8185002894 ISBN 13: 9788185002897

Publisher: Promilla & Co Publishers, 2008

Synopsis

One Life to Ride is based on my motorcycle journey from Pune to Ladakh and Kargil - a travel story which takes the reader through the hot and dusty plains of India to the higher mountains of the vast Himalayan range many covered in snow even in June. Weaving its way along coastal roads of western India, to Goa, with pig toilets and palm liquor, the story winds through old and new stories - one from a holy-man cycling from Mumbai to Mecca, another about the meditation technique of Vipassana, yet another of a light-hearted con-game at a scout's camp in Rajasthan - the tale finally takes you to the highest motorable road in the world - the fabled Khardung-La.

You'll meet Sufi saints, fake fakirs and homesick soldiers. You'll get stuck in an icy road river and be miraculously rescued. You'll feel the stress an average Kashmiri experiences everyday. You'll see how blind and dangerous religion can be if it is only followed in rituals and illogical beliefs. You'll see how friendly and hospitable everyone is on the roads of India. You'll come away feeling exhilarated, entertained and yes, also exhausted by the physical arduousness of the motorcycle ride.

About this title

Review

Ajit's writing is clear, simple, strong like the Enfield's dugh... dugh... It's not a cliff hanger (except once), but thanks to the sheer richness of the landscape you really can't put it down. -- Deccan Herald, Bangalore, India

Cruising through the roughest terrains and encountering a host of characters on the way, it is a courageous tale that will tickle your funny bone and even make you wish you were a pillion. -- Bike India (Dec.2008)

India seems a mythical land to the rest of us, and we could never hope to understand such a deep and complex world even if we took 1,000 journeys across the vast sub-continent. But Mr. Harisinghani has spun a wonderful narrative of a journey where you're riding pillion on a 4,300 kilometer adventure from Pune in west-central India all the way north, through Jaipur and New Delhi, all the way up to Leh and Jammu.

fun, exciting, spiritual with a sense of humor and you'll learn a lot about a fantastic and varied country. Highly recommended -- webbikeworld.com

This is the simple and endearing story of a middle-aged man's lone journey on his Royal Enfield. His travels, from Pune to the northernmost parts of India and back, are the result of a promise made to a dying friend. Written in an easy, thoughtful style, One Life to Ride gives you the feeling you are actually riding pillion with the author.
-- Royal Enfield Books, Manchester, UK

an interesting read for those who enjoy a bit of adventure and also a look into India's vibrant and rich culture with its warm and welcoming people. -- Times of India

Review

Cruising through the roughest terrains and encountering a host of characters on the way, it is a courageous tale that will tickle your funny bone and even make you wish you were a pillion.

Edition details

• Publisher: Promilla & Co Publishers
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8185002894
• ISBN 13: 9788185002897
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224