Steve King: Adventure Story

STEVE'S TOP ADVENTURE TIP: Do it. Open your mind and your heart and you will be rewarded many fold

My story is short, but to the point. Whilst many people will focus upon how adventure biking has helped them change the lives of others, I would like to take a more selfish approach.

In 2010, a friend of mine sent me a link from the travel section of the Sunday Times. They knew I rode motorbikes and they knew I had always wanted to go to the Himalayas. 6 hours later I had paid my deposit and was wondering what I had done. I had never ridden off road. I had just come back to biking after a 20 year hiatus and knew no-one else that was going. I need not have worried. Despite the loud and abrasive Scotsman in charge of the ride (someone who is now a great friend), I did not feel out of place and was helped by everyone on the ride. I had a baptism of fire in that I broke my leg the first day, without realising it, and needed help to get my boot on everyday for the next 2 weeks!!

The trip was everything I had hoped it would be; and more. It opened my eyes to a world I knew existed, outside of my normal comfort zone, but one I had never expected to embrace with such a passion. Beyond that, I came back with a group of close friends, who I now refer to as my extended family, with whom I have been exploring the world ever since. We meet up once or twice a year, but share a bond that transcends geography. I trust each of them implicitly and would put my life in their hands without a moments hesitation (except obviously Mark lol). It is those people, as much as the cultural interactions that have helped shape me over the last 7 years and had I not made that first step in 2010, I shudder to think what I would have missed and how much grumpier I would have been by now!!

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Steve King, Adventure Ashram Supporter