Bhavana Issar

Press Note for Drivol Sponsored “Being a Woman” ride powered by The BlueChem Group

Seven women, from diverse backgrounds and diverse personalities yet common in their passion for riding motorcycles and the belief that there are many ways of “being a woman” decided to undertake an expedition that meant creating new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of the body, mind and the what it means to be a woman. They decided to take their motorcycles to Mana pass, which is the highest motorable pass at 18399 ft above sea level.

This expedition meant riding for 1200 kms over 10 days. The expedition travelled to Nelang Valley and Jhadung village which has been opened for the first time after the 1962 debacle. Then the seven riders rode all the way from Uttarkashi through the picturesque valleys to Tilwara, to arduous Badrinath and finally in the ultimate test of physical and mental strength to Mana Gaon which is the last village in the Indian territory. Beyond Mana gaon the team climbed up to the Mana pass with the able, warm and efficient support of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Indian Army, who were extremely hospitable and encouraging.

Each day was a new learning in multiple ways of being a person, being a team, discovering one’s capabilities and pushing the boundaries of the mind and the body. Each climb on roads, and often on terrain that had no roads meant a new challenge and left the group with a sense of achievement, fun and mixed feelings of fear, anxiety, determination and joy.