August 2019 Newsletter
Hello everybody – it’s mid-August and time for another newsletter to keep you updated on all the activity within Ride Expeditions’ world.
In South Africa the office is a tad underpopulated as most of the team is dotted about across northern India where there’s a fair smattering of snow in the higher passes. This comes as wonderful news to the UK contingent as finally the sun has had its hat on and the country has been basking in a scorching heatwave meaning that for once Toby is somewhere colder than Julian.
The beaches are packed, pensioners are fainting in the heat and of course, the British summer tradition returns with the otters in the zoo getting to enjoy a fishy ice lolly. Hooray!
On with the news …
Himalayan heaveN
As we mentioned last month, our ever popular Himalayan tours started at the beginning of July, and as we type a fleet of sparkling Royal Enfields are chugging along the incredible Indian roads, piloted by grinning customers. By now they’ll have sipped cocktails in Shimla, dined on fresh river trout in Manali and toasted marshmallows over a campfire in Sarchu – what a ride – what an experience!
And while the weather’s been kind in the lower country, there’s plenty of snow on the ground on the highest passes so rest assured there will be some epic snowball fights going on. This is a tour they will never forget!
This year’s tours are all sold out but bookings are open for 2020, so if you’re yet to experience this adventure of a lifetime, drop Anna an email and she’ll take care of the rest!
NEW BIKES FOR CAMBODIA
The start of our Cambodia riding season is fast approaching and our team in Cambodia are getting ready! We’ve even had some new deliveries all the way from the USA… adding to our existing fleet of Kawasaki KLX300’s and Yamaha WR450F’s, we’re now pleased to welcome the Yamaha WR250F and YZ250FX! If you’re a keen dirt bike rider, join us in Cambodia for one of the best trail riding experiences on the planet! |
Trustpilot & TRIP ADVISOR TREATS
So, what do our customers think about their experiences with Ride Expeditions? Well they are pretty damn blown away by our tours, but don’t just take our word for it, check out the reviews on Trustpilot and TripAdvisor
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/rideexpeditions.com
To say we are happy with the feedback would be a massive understatement – we’re ecstatic to know that all the hard work the team put in over the year pays off. When our riders are putting their faith in us to give them a fantastic motorcycle holiday, it’s great to know we’ve done just that and more.
HO CHI MINH - THE MOVIE
Over the last month, Ride Expeditions in house film maker and occasional scooter rider Ian ‘Wiggy’ Wiggins has been slaving over hours and hours of drone and POV riding footage to find the best shots. After almost 30 days shut in a darkened room, Ian has emerged back into the light, blinking like a pit pony and holding in his hand a battered film canister with the result of his efforts.
Ok it wasn’t quite like that, he just fired over an email when it was finished but that’s hardly as evocative an image to conjure up, so we’re going with a bit of artistic licence. Either way, it’s a great film, so grab a tiny bag of popcorn and enjoy his work …
HILL TRIBE DATES RELEASED
So after trailing the rather wonderful new Hill Tribe Expedition in last month’s newsletter, we have been able to firm up the dates for the first two tours. Heading out for the first time on the 15th of January and then, just under a month later, on the 10th of February, our incredible journey through the uplands of Laos will be one of the jewels in the crown of the Ride Expeditions calendar. Check out the details here. |
If you missed it, here’s the video: |
COLOMBIAN PIONEERS
Staying with new tours, the first of our Colombian adventures is officially in the calendar. On October 17th our first tranche of fearless trail riders will be setting out from Ubate for the inaugural Colombian Trailblazer tour. The first one is a Pioneer tour and comes in at a cool £550 discount on the full price but will offer the same incredible experience on the amazing Colombian trails. We’ll travel over 1200 kilometres, stay in wonderful locations and enjoy some of the warmest hospitality we’ve ever experienced.
If you fancy getting your name down for the first tour, then you better get a move-on and send a nice email to Anna explaining why it’s vital you join us. Including images of cute animals could help, as could enthusing about the joys of horse riding and interior design based on scatter cushions and colourful throws. Send an email to anna@rideexpeditions.com and cross your fingers! |
MONGOL HORDES
By the time you read this, the Ride Expeditions crew will be packing their bags for the long trip to Mongolia for the first recce tour. Julian will be whittling down his essential kit to a mere 40kg, Ian will be bubble-wrapping all his camera equipment to survive the Aeroflot baggage handlers and Toby will be throwing his ten-year-old and still unwashed riding boots and enduro trousers into a plastic bag – Pack light and Pack right folks!
We’ll be starting at Ulaanbaatar and piloting some Yamaha trail bikes through the amazing landscape of this vast country. Expect some great images on social media if we ever get any mobile coverage, but if not, you’ll have to wait till we get back! This tour is going to be special, and the recce ride will allow us to ensure that we check out the best routes and include the most special experiences.
If all goes to plan, we’ll be rolling out our first tours from May 2020! If you want to be one of the first, drop Anna an email with the subject line ‘MONGOLIAAAAA’ and she’ll pop you on the priority list.
BLOG CABIN
What’s the squawk on the blog this month? What’s been passing through Julian’s fevered brain in Ride Expeditions UK headquarters? Well first off there’s a great hack blog on how to convert a walking frame into a portable trail stand, there’s a review of the SW Motech Tankbag, a guide to packing for a short motorcycle trip, a workshop guide to bleeding your brakes and finally our review of the rather marvellous Alpinestar Corazal boots. And don’t forget every single blog is available on the blog section of the website – there’s a wealth of information there from riding tips to gear reviews and bike tests. |
AND FINALLY
OK it’s time to sign off now and as is traditional that means it’s time for a video. This month we are going with some classic action from the iconic BBC trials competition, Kickstart. This is the junior final from 1989 and marks the debut of Hard Enduro Star and Ride Expeditions favourite Graham Jarvis as a fresh faced youngster, and he’s joined by future trials genius Dougie Lampkin. If you want to improve your bike skills – get a trials bike, if you want a fantastic motorcycle holiday, speak to Ride Expeditions …