How Riding in Nepal Rekindled My Self-Belief

Riding in Nepal is about so much more than just an adventure on wheels; it’s a powerful journey that can help restore your fractured self-belief. This unique experience offers you the chance to reconnect with yourself and reignite your passion for embracing new challenges in life.

Janet has lived it firsthand, and her journey is nothing short of empowering.

Here’s her story:

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we do—N. Mandela

I guess I was way out of my comfort zone.

And writing about this is almost as challenging as riding the bike across Nepal, which I recently did with a bunch of women. Ten women, ten bikes, to be precise.

It was only with the support of all the beautiful souls alongside me that I finally appreciated what we accomplished on this ride. Each one had her reason for joining this trip, each meaningful.

But this is about mine and how I have changed during this most extraordinary journey.

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I am 63 and have always been a happy-go-lucky, adventurous, impulsive, and strong woman. But over the last few years, probably a decade if I’m honest, things started to get, well … difficult.

I got swept away looking after people.

You know the script. You can’t say no and go along with everyone else’s needs while ignoring your own.

Precisely what I did.

Making sure everyone around me was OK, getting fed, medicated, and watered on time, and being there whenever they needed me. Basically, 24/7. Without complaining. Without putting myself first. Without even realizing it. All this whilst holding down a demanding full-time job I loved.

It’s not surprising things eventually worsened, and I went for a nosedive. I began to feel numb, drained, and empty. I was unable to find my joyful self anywhere. It felt like I had lost sight of who I was and, with it, my self-esteem.

Before my dad passed away and was still coherent, he urged me to go and do something. I took his advice to heart and miraculously stumbled across that “something” with BIKE ‘N SOUL offering a two-week women-only adventure ride across Nepal. They promised a challenge in a safe environment and heaps of fun.

The idea of riding in Nepal begged me so intensely that I had to sign up without thinking twice.

All I knew was that I wanted and needed a challenge. Within six weeks after, I was off to Nepal with wobbly knees and a helmet under my arm.

I always rode bikes from a very early age. But the truth is, I loved sidecar racing and was fortunate to travel all over to compete on circuits at all levels for many years. I had done a bit of offroad riding here and there, but it was never really my bag.

Until I had to face it.

I knew riding in Nepal would be the polar opposite of any of my past experiences. Yet, I didn’t YouTube or Google anything. I didn’t want to know, or else I might have changed my mind.

Instead, I wanted to “shock propel” myself into believing in myself again, something I had to reclaim urgently.

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When I arrived in Nepal, the roads were worse than expected, and the traffic was terrifying. From day one, we focused on honing off-road skills (which included dumping bikes), building confidence, and fostering teamwork.

Even my family cheered me on. “Mum,” my son William repeatedly texted me from Scotland, “just get them big knickers on, stop worrying about it, you can do it.” Or giving me valuable snippets of advice as if he were next to me: “Mum, pick a rut and stick to it! That’s the way to do it properly.”

And my mom, May, God bless her, let me know that she believed in me. "I know. You will be OK," she reassuringly tweeted over the phone. But it wasn't until later that I realized how much their support actually meant to me.

We rode on, conquering the chaos mile by mile. It felt nothing short of miraculous at times, fueled by the unwavering dedication of our professional crew to keep us safe every step of the way.

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And then, there was a moment towards the end of the trip that flipped everything around.

Riding in Nepal is a challenge. But the more experience you gain, the less intimidating it becomes.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t do it (we’d covered worse roads on this trip.) It was because I couldn’t see a damn thing. I was crying. I was finally crying after all these years, if not decades, while heading down this goddamn mule track of a road high above the Kali Gandhaki River in western Nepal.

I fail to explain what exactly happened that day.

I could no longer hold back my tears. Maybe I was overwhelmed by what life had thrown at me recently. Yet, here I was, racing downhill on a dirt road in Nepal with all these other great women, feeling so incredibly alive again.

I didn't think I could do this, but I did!

It was as if I was reconnecting with my old self and genuinely embracing the sensation of what I had been through on this most life-changing trip.

As we stopped for tea at the bottom of the hill, an overwhelming sense of familiarity washed over me. The bumpy road had cracked me open, allowing me to let the emotions I had concealed for so long flow freely.

It felt like I was rekindling my true self, genuinely embracing the journey and all that I had experienced on this transformative adventure.

Exhausted but happy!

At that moment, my brain fog started to lift. My tears dried. And a smile was on its way out.

I knew I was back.

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I am incredibly thankful for the fantastic team of women who selflessly supported me during this pivotal moment and every step leading up to it. Just as Kerstin, the founder of BIKE ‘N SOUL, promised, I experienced a challenging ride in a safe and uplifting environment.

I had no idea this existed!

Reflecting on the best parts of this thrilling adventure ride in Nepal: the love and camaraderie of all these beautiful women from around the world who participated—women I trusted on the road and now call friends for life.

And the fact that I am back on track with believing in myself.

One last thing: If you’re a woman and a biker in need of a new challenge, do this trip!

Janet

Mum’s always had a go-get-em attitude, and nothing has ever stopped her. I’m proud of her. She is strong. I’m glad she made this trip to Nepal; I knew she would boss it—William

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This story genuinely emphasizes the profound healing that can come from riding in Nepal and the deep bonds among like-minded women. I’m so touched that Janet listened to her heart and chose to embark on this journey in Nepal.

It’s a transformative experience that will remain with her forever, offering a sweet sense of freedom that is so deeply empowering.

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