Words from Alex Pirie, Founder of Nomadic Knights.

West Bengal, Odisha and the Sundarbans had been on my ‘go to’ list for quite some time. As it turned out, we actually rode in the state of Jharkhand also. Three more states ticked off the list and only a few left to ride through.

On a recce ride, I’m always asking myself, ‘Is this okay, is it too easy, have we over done it this time, would I do this again, what was good about it and what’s bad about it?’ Hundreds of thoughts racing through my mind and no immediate answers in sight.

It’s not until we’ve finished it that I begin to realise just how utterly brilliant these rides are. It’s the first time ever that we’ve had to buy a permit to drink our own booze! Loading and unloading 20 odd motorcycles on and off a ferry three times just seems so ridiculous. The crazy and passionate hotel owner in Talcher who laid on such a party for us, he treated us like royalty. Ah, and while we’re on the subject of royalty, we stayed with the erstwhile Royal family of Orissa, in their own house. To say that it was squeaky bum time on Satjelia Island in the Sundarbans when I heard that a typhoon was approaching would be the understatement of the century. We made it out and just in time it seems. Luck was on our side, again. I think the ride was brilliant and the truth is, I wouldn’t change a thing. What an experience - made even more special by sharing it with a fantastic group of people.