Day nine of our epic adventure through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes imaginable: deep canyons, lush valleys, all embraced by the towering grandeur of the Himalayas. Our goal is clear: to reach the world’s highest motorable pass, Umling La, on our Royal Enfield motorcycles.
The past few days have been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve faced many roadblocks (both internally and externally), laughed a lot, shed a few tears, and experienced moments that will forever be etched into our hearts. Sixteen riders from all corners of the world, united by one shared quest – to reach the world’s highest ridable road. Some struggled with altitude sickness, while others were at odds with the irresistible allure of Indian cuisine (my personal favourite!). Yet, despite the fatigue and the anticipation building, today we’re all driven by a single thought: reaching the summit of Umling La, standing at 5,800 meters (19,000 feet) above sea level.
We crossed rivers, revved through sand patches (dropped my bike!), and skidded through mud. Our muscles ache, our breaths are short from the lack of oxygen, but our spirits are high. With full throttle (on a Himalayan Enfield and at that altitude, that’s really not that fast), my mind is so fixated on the goal of reaching the summit that I nearly forget to appreciate the stunning beauty around me. It feels like a dream.
Then it hits me. In my single-minded determination to reach the top, I’m missing out on the journey. So, I pull over to the side of the road, overwhelmed with a wave of gratitude. Tears roll down my face as I take in the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas. Am I really here? I put one hand on my heart, take a few deep breaths, thank the path that led us here, and with renewed appreciation for the journey, hop back on the bike to ride the last few kilometres to the top with my fellow EOers, who now feel more like family.
Arriving at the destination almost feels bittersweet. I’m swamped with a lot of different emotions – joy, gratitude, relief. We did it! The goal that once seemed so far away is now beneath our wheels.
Standing on top of a rock, I take it all in, tears flowing again. Is the altitude turning me into a crybaby, or is it the sense of exhilaration or the magic of the Himalayas? I don’t care; I’m just grateful.
In business, we’re often so focused on the pursuit of success, chasing financial targets, and meeting KPIs that we forget to savour the everyday moments. We tend to measure our achievements by the money we make and the things we acquire. But true success doesn’t lie in how much we can accumulate; it lies in how much we enjoy the journey, who we become along the way, and how many lives we positively impact.
It begs the question, are we truly present on our entrepreneurial journeys, or are we just enduring the grind, eyes set only on the next summit?
Once we reach one peak, we often barely pause before setting our sights on the next. Joy can be found in the moments between the highs.
I’m the first to admit that I’ve been caught in the “I can’t wait to reach the next summit” trap many times. So every morning, I remind myself how I want to show up and what emotion I want to embody so I can carry that into my work. Earlier this year, when I felt joy slipping away, I placed a simple note on my screen with the word ‘joy’ on it. And guess what? It worked. Could it really be that simple? Sometimes, the best things in life are.
I applied the same approach to this ride. Every morning upon waking, I decided how I wanted to show up, even if I didn’t feel amazing from the altitude or lack of sleep. I focused on embodying a positive emotion, and it worked. Whenever we came across a more challenging part such as water crossings, I felt my mind slipping into an ‘I’m going to drop my bike into the river’ spiral. I’d stop, laugh at the silliness of my thoughts, and change the tune to ‘I’ve got this.’
When we hit rough patches, both on the road and in life, it’s easy to let fear take over. But it’s crucial to remind ourselves of the power of our minds and bring our focus back to the present to truly enjoy the journey instead of racing to the finish line.
After a few moments at the top of the world’s highest motorable pass, warmed by a cup of chai, lots of photos, and big smiles, we begin our descent. The rain starts to fall lightly, and I can’t help but smile. I shall be carrying this experience in my heart for a long time to come.
So, is it the journey or the destination that truly matters? Ancient wisdom leans toward the journey, but without a destination, there is no journey. Yet, there’s a missing piece: the people we share it with. They’re the ones who make both the journey and the destination unforgettable.
Choose a destination that excites you and enjoy the ride to get there!
PS: If you’d like to join one of our future motorcycle adventures for entrepreneurs, please reach out. We’ve got adventures coming up in Morocco, South Africa & Lesotho, Uganda, Canada, and Chile.