🏔️ Transhimalaya Adventure with a Sidecar: How “Hans” Became the Star of Our Motorcycle Tour
It all started with a phone call. A longtime friend and guest casually asked:
“Shankar, a sidecar for the Enfield – that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
My spontaneous reply: “Hmmm... ahhh... yeah sure, we’ll figure it out.”
No sooner had I hung up than E. and H. signed up for our Himalayan Dream motorcycle tour – sidecar included. What I didn’t realize at the time:
A) I had very little experience with sidecar rigs.
B) Everyone in India strongly advised me against it.
The kindest comment? “That’s a suicide machine on three wheels.”
🚚 From Idea to Reality: A Sidecar Made in Bombay
But a promise is a promise. Flights were booked, the tour was approaching – there was no turning back. Luckily, I soon discovered Cozy Wheels in Mumbai, a company that exports sidecars to Europe. In record time, they built us a custom Rural Ural model (non-powered).
Just weeks later, the rig arrived by truck at my home base in Dharamsala. Six porters (known locally as “coolies”) hauled the beast into our courtyard. The only issue? No one in the region had ever assembled a sidecar setup.
So the crate was shipped another 250 km to Manali, one of our trusted partner garages. Two mechanics on-site, with two more assisting via Zoom, spent hours piecing it together. But they did it: just in time for tour kickoff, the Royal Enfield + sidecar stood gleaming in front of the hotel. Ready for action.
👀 The Showstopper on Indian Roads
What I didn’t expect? The sidecar became an instant head-turner. Kids waved non-stop, people smiled and cheered, and one man followed us for 40 minutes just to ask if I’d sell it. It was a hit.
Massive credit goes to our rider G., who steered the rig through chaotic Indian traffic and steep Himalayan trails like a true pro. Co-rider H. deserves applause too – her calm spirit never wavered, even when Himalayan cliffs loomed just 10 cm from the tires.
⛰️ The Ultimate Test: Shingo-La Pass (5,100 m)
But the real challenge lay ahead: Shingo-La Pass, freshly opened and soaring to 5,100 meters – unpaved on one side. Everyone said, “No way the sidecar will make it.” And yes, it was rough. H. had to hop out a few times.
But “Hans” – as we affectionately named the rig halfway through the tour (Sanskrit for “wild swan”) – powered through.
At the summit, we were in tears. Twelve mountain passes, five of them over 5,000 meters, and a total of 2,019 kilometers. Hans had conquered them all.
☕ A New Chapter for Hans
Today, Hans is resting in Dharamsala. Soon, he’ll be transformed – with a roof and a coffee machine – as part of our project “The Other Space”, a small travel café for kindred spirits.
But make no mistake – this won’t be his last ride.
👉 Conclusion:
This Transhimalaya motorcycle tour was more than just technically demanding – it was emotionally powerful.
Sidecar adventures, the Himalayas, Royal Enfields, and the thrill of the open road – all rolled into one unforgettable journey.
Want to know what real road trips feel like?
Get to know Hans. Or better yet: join us next time.
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