Royal Enfield debuts women’s edition of the Himalayan Odyssey

New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) The 13th edition of Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Odyssey -- a women's only ride -- was flagged off on Saturday from Delhi’s most iconic landmark, the India Gate.

Considered the holy grail of motorcycling, Himalayan Odyssey this year, embarked on a new journey with the debut of Himalayan Odyssey-Women (HO-W).

The two contingents of over 100 men and women riders will ride on different routes before converging at Leh, Ladakh, said a statement.

The women’s only ride will have an all-women crew comprising of the service staff, technicians and doctors supporting and assisting the riders throughout the journey. The participants will ride through three mountain ranges and six passes as they make their way to Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, situated at an altitude of 18, 380 ft.

A majestic procession of more than 100 thumping Royal Enfield motorcycles was flagged off by Shaji Koshy, Senior Vice President, Sales, Services and Spares, Royal Enfield.

Addressing the riders at the flag-off ceremony, Koshy said: “For over six decades, Royal Enfield has been the motorcycle of choice for all those who have wanted to ride to the mountains. The Himalayan Odyssey has championed leisure motorcycling in the way it has initiated scores of people to ride to Ladakh. With each passing year, a new set of riders are initiated into this extraordinary expedition.

“This year, we have introduced the Himalayan Odyssey- Women, an exclusive all women’s ride that promises to be the ultimate motorcycling adventure for all women who ride a Royal Enfield. We have received an encouraging response towards this and we hope this ride becomes an inspiration for many more women to take up motorcycling in India.”

The diverse contingent of women participants comprises of riders hailing from the major Indian metropolitan cities along with smaller towns like Tirupur, Bilaspur, Chiitinagar and Kumbakonam. The Odyssey this year, also has international participants from countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, France and Britain to celebrate this ultimate motorcycling adventure.