It's love rooted in the courage to live life on my own terms.
The Himalayas have fascinated me for as long as I can remember.
As a kid, I loved to poke my head into Dad's thick, gold-rimmed picture books. Those that talked of sky-high, unconquerable mountains, shimmering pagoda roofs, its brave people. Of ancient monasteries far from civilization, majestic glaciers, and cultures that seemed lightyears away.
Yet, they won my young heart instantly.
Not surprisingly, my first encounter with the Himalayas was more than just a visit. In the fall of 1988, during my early 20s, I landed in Nepal, a quaint kingdom back then framed by the stunning, shimmering peaks of the Himalayas against the fading sunlight.
It was love at first sight.
I was utterly enchanted as I trekked along the footpaths heading up and into the Himalayas. Mesmerized by the towering giants and the warm-hearted locals residing at their foothills. By the vibrant prayer flags joyfully fluttering in the crispy mountain breeze. By the breathtaking beauty of Mother Earth and her creation at the edge of two colliding continents — a stunning spectacle forged over millions of years.
I felt as if my soul had landed. It was as if a subtle voice kept echoing "home" off its icy walls. As if it had arrived where I needed to be.
After that, everything was different.
The Himalayas changed my life.
No other region has captivated me as profoundly as this vast mountain landscape. And I was never away for long.
I felt a strong desire to return to its embrace, which seemed more thrilling than any experience I had encountered before.
I had the overwhelming urge to keep exploring, roam among the giants, meet the locals, and listen to their stories. I yearned to learn their language and fully embrace the feeling of finally being home. It seemed like a realm of infinite possibilities, including mine.
But I had no clue what was coming.
Living in Nepal was a dream until I got cured.
In my early 30s, I moved to Nepal after accepting a job offer initially limited to six months that miraculously extended for another ten years.
I dived in with all my heart, learned the language, zigzagged across the country for work, made friends, and found love. It was my dream come true until it no longer was, and I had to leave.
And when I returned to Germany a decade later, I honestly believed I had been cured from the Himalayas.
And while I waited and waited and waited, nothing happened.
My spirit never left the Himalayas.
I continued to long for the distinctiveness of this place, something I couldn't find back home. I often daydreamed about the Himalayan adventures and the brave souls who explored this part of the world long before I did.
I got overwhelmed by the memories of sitting around a fireplace in someone's kitchen, listening to endless mountain folk stories I came to cherish so much.
At that point, all I needed was a solid break and a new purpose to return to this heavenly place — a reason that would unite all the strands of my longing for this part of the world.
While I kept wondering what I would do with the rest of my life, I eventually found what I was looking for.
One passion led to another.
I began motorcycling in 2018 without knowing it would change the very fabric of my life yet again. I soon grew captivated by adventure riding, which led Bryan and me to Ladakh in 2019. It was on the rooftop of our little hotel in Leh that I recognized the connection. My entire life had been a journey toward this precise moment in time.
In Ladakh, BIKE 'N SOUL was born.
It was the beginning of a movement that helped me encourage women to embrace the open road on two wheels and uncover their strength in the Himalayas' stunning yet challenging environment and beyond.
But BIKE 'N SOUL primarily embodies the courage I needed to leave my old life behind, the trust it took to create something from scratch, the patience required to see it grow, and the love to fully immerse myself in embracing the unknown.
That's precisely what I was after.
Once I discovered that, I knew I could assist others in finding their courage, too.
All is well that ends well.
Today, I live in New Zealand. But every year, I return to the Himalayas on a motorcycle and embark on life-changing adventures with women from around the world.
We conquer challenging terrains and create unforgettable memories, all while building confidence, fostering soul-sister bonds, and having an extraordinary time.
All this allows me to connect with myself, powerful women, the magic of the Himalayas, its remarkable people, and the peace that expands in my heart.
I call it true love rooted in the courage to finally live life on my terms.
And the rewards are indescribable!
Thank you for stopping by and for your interest in my work. I hope you find a reason to come back.
PS: If you're a woman on a bike and need a new challenge in life, ride with us.
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