Spiti Valley!
Just recalling its name brings a huge smile to my face, along with all the sweet memories and intense emotions stemming from the most empowering ride of my life.
Because it helped me silence my doubts and spark a fire within my soul.

I am a passionate traveler at heart, driven by the desire to explore and discover new places. As a mountain girl, I thrive on venturing off the beaten path. And for the past few years, my dream has been to embark on this journey on an adventure bike.
When I came across BIKE 'N SOUL, an opportunity to ride across Spiti Valley with a group of like-minded, I jumped right in.
With 20+ years of allroad riding experience yet minimal offroading, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension after signing up. Doubts crept in. "What if I can't do this?" "What if my skills aren't enough?" "What if I don't have the stamina?" Yet, I realized all these "what ifs" reflected the journey ahead—a path filled with challenges that could quickly morph into confidence and growth.
Kerstin, the visionary behind BIKE 'N SOUL, inspires women to conquer their doubts. She addressed all my questions and offered the unwavering support and encouragement I needed to face the challenges ahead.
Some of them are physical and will remain, though I embrace them. I am 67, so strength and balance is an issue. Being lightweight and handling a bike 4 times heavier can be daring. And the fact that I have short chihuahua legs with a 28" inseam doesn't always make it easy.

Luckily, the guys in India could lower the bike, making riding the Himalayan 411 across Spiti an absolute thrill. Perfectly torqued for the terrain, easy to ride and maneuver, and surprisingly comfortable.
I fell in love with the bike in no time—a reassuring start.
Spiti is all about landscapes and hospitality.
And I had to pinch myself daily to make sure I was really there, immersed in the moment.
The raw, natural beauty surrounding me was overwhelming. Every sight was stunning, from the winding "tarmaced" roads in the lush green hills of Himachal Pradesh to the breathtaking high-desert gorges and valleys of Spiti.
The majestic mountains and the exhilarating rides over passes and through glacier tracks filled me with profound happiness.
It is a thrill on wheels I fail to describe.
The rides and landscapes were complemented by inspiring encounters with Spitians, immersing myself in their culture, visiting ancient monasteries and historical sites, and witnessing unique marvels I once only dreamed about.
Like the world's highest functional post office in Hikkim at an elevation of more than 4,400 m. Scribbling a postcard to myself from that remarkable place and finding it in my letterbox in Canada a few weeks later still fills my heart with joy.

Staying in local homestays was a true gift.
Though basic and simplistic, the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Spitians, accompanied by bright smiles, made the entire experience so remarkable. Sitting in the kitchen around the fireplace, watching women as they prepared our meals offered rare glimpses into another time and space—moments I will always treasure.
We covered around 1,200 km in 13 days, mainly at a slow pace, up and down endless winding mountain roads and tracks. It's long enough to hone your skills and practice those tight corners and other challenges you may come across.

And this is us, the Spiti Valley 2024 team. 2 Canadians, 3 Kiwis, and 1 German. Incredibly supportive, encouraging, empowering, and fun.
Everyone encountered challenges, but as a team, we smashed them and accomplished a Himalayan journey we will never forget.
My biggest takeaway?
To get out of your comfort zone, you must sign up for stuff that may initially terrify you. But once you realize you can do it, the sense of accomplishment and growth that kicks in is phenomenal.
It's impossible to describe, so you better take a look for yourself!
All of this gives me strength today to move ahead and take on more challenges or, at times, simply bask in the beauty of "Yes, I can!"
Thank you, BIKE 'N SOUL, for getting me there!
Corinne
The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in succeeding—Pelé
Do you need help with expanding your comfort zone? Get in touch today! Or find out more about our next Spiti Valley Tour 2025 and how you can join (only a few bikes left)
Corinne,
I highly appreciate you sharing your invaluable experience with us here. I still recall our initial conversation about Spiti and your concerns. Look at what unfolded once you decided to say YES!
I am so proud of you, girl!
I look forward to another chance to ride together soon. And thank you for picking BIKE 'N SOUL for your initiation to adventure riding 😍
Much love from New Zealand
Kerstin ❤️