Riding Solo to the Top of the World

June 12, 8:55 AMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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It never ceases to amaze me how the motorcycle community brings new experiences into our lives.  Last month, Phoenix Motorcycle Travel Examiner, Cameron Weckerley sent our motorcycle examiners a link to his Road Show Motorcycle Podcast.  The youtube trailers for “One Crazy Ride” and “Riding Solo to the Top of the World” caught my attention.  And, within minutes I was hooked and had ordered both DVDs.

I waited with anticipation for the arrival of both of these tales of adventure travel by motorcycle.  And, within a week or so, both arrived from the other side of the world, perfectly packed, and safely delivered.

Riding Solo was my first choice.  It chronicles the adventure of filmmaker Gaurav Jani, riding solo from Mumbai to one of the most remote places in the world: the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, bordering China.  Along the way, Gaurav provides a behind-the-scenes perspective on the challenges of filming a solo ride.  It really puts the effort into perspective, and makes the footage he captured all the more spectacular.

The movie itself is almost impossible to capture in words.  Beautiful but harsh and barren landscapes, people from a different time, friends who welcome Gaurav into their lives and thereby share their lives with us.  Tibetan monks demonstrate the power of prayer.  And, while the skeptical may scoff, the smiles on the monks' faces should cause any honest skeptic to wonder.

The production is spartan, but beautifully and professionally done.  The music is charming and complements the film nicely.  The camera work is magnificent, and beautifully edited.  The story unfolds naturally through the journey.  And, through his narration, Gaurav brings us along as a friend on the journey with him.

Although this is certainly a film for motorcycle travel fans, it has a depth of experience that make it worth watching by all audiences of all backgrounds and interests.

I have no doubt that One Crazy Ride will be just as terrific, and can strongly recommend owning them both.  Order from Dirt Track Productions, and enjoy the journeys!

http://www.dirttrackproductions.com/