The Ladakh motorcycling season is starting, and we know you guys are scrambling to buy the right gear, the best accessories and the most fun gadgets. The bikes are getting ready. In our stores, there’s this happy buzz, and we watch as total strangers bond over their planned Ladakh routes, halts and ride dates. We have customers who linger, wanting to discuss their rides to get everything pitch perfect, and we have others who know exactly what they want – so they take all of 2 minutes buying it.
Before you hit the Ladakh trails this year, here’s a list of ‘Must Watch’ movies – to help you prepare mentally and remind you how awesome the ride is going to be. The Ladakh circuits are often about the mind, not just the physical aspects of the ride, so here’s to some inspiration, and some pretty amazing footage and shots that will give you glimpse of what you’re about to face. This is an arbitrarily compiled list, in no particular order, so feel free to pick and choose your way through them! Not all the films in this list are about Ladakh. We have included those moto movies here that have inspired us to ride. So go get some popcorn and start!
RIDING SOLO TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Our list naturally starts with this. Directed and shot by fellow rider Gaurav Jani, the movie is an incredible documentary that features Gaurav’s ride from Mumbai to the Changthang Pass in Ladakh. Jani astonishes you because he is a one-man film crew. He directs, shoots and stars in the documentary in some of the remotest locations and toughest trails in the world. There can be no better testament to his organizational skills as well riding skills, and watching this is definitely a great way to get introduced to the terrain, trails and culture of Ladakh. We guarantee that you will want to start out immediately!
THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
An oldie but a goldie, this movie about Che Guvera’s journey of self-discovery resonates with most long-distance riders. What makes the film unique isn’t really the biking action, but the level of insight and empathy Che shows for local cultures and people. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s definitely time you did.
LONG WAY DOWN / LONG WAY ROUND
This documentary series starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman follows their two iconic rides. In LONG WAY DOWN (2007), they traverse the longitude from Scotland to the Cape of Good Hope, and in LONG WAY ROUND (2004) they move through Eastern Europe, Siberia and Alaska before ending up in New York. The two sets of series documents not just the journey and the countries they travel through, but also the relationship between Ewan and Charley – their dependence on each other, their closeness and affection, and yes, their agonies and irritations as well.
NEELAKASAM (MALAYALAM)
Yes, a slightly surprising entry in this list, Neelakasam is definitely worth a watch. The movie revolves around a ride from Kerala to Nagaland, undertaken by two friends. Despite the ‘filmy’ plot (they are travelling to Nagaland so the protagonist can be reunited with the love of his life), the movie is shot very well and anyone who has ridden a bike in India will probably relate. From getting assaulted to break-downs, from some stunning coastal vistas to Tawang in Arunachal, the movie takes you through a large cross-section of Indian riding conditions- both positive and negative. If you can lay your hands on a version with sub-titles, give this movie a shot.
WHY WE RIDE
A classic. Why we ride tries to answer the age-old question. None of us riders may yet know why we do what we do, but this documentary is sure to spark some thoughts.
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