It’s day nine of our epic adventure through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes imaginable: deep canyons, lush valleys, all embraced by the towering grandeur of the Himalayas. Our goal is clear: To reach the world’s highest motorable pass, Umling La, on our Royal Enfield motorcycles.
The past few days have been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve faced many roadblocks (both internally and externally), laughed a lot, shed a few tears, and experienced moments that will forever be etched into our hearts. Sixteen riders from all corners of the world, united by one shared quest – to reach the world’s highest ridable road. Some struggled with altitude sickness, while others were at odds with the irresistible allure of Indian cuisine (my personal favorite!). Yet, despite the fatigue and the anticipation building, today, we’re all driven by a single thought: reaching the summit of Umling La, 5,800 meters (19,000 feet) above sea level.
The Road to Umling La: Triumphs and Setbacks
We crossed rivers, revved through sand patches (dropped my bike!), and skidded through mud. Our muscles ache, our breaths are short from the lack of oxygen, but our spirits are high. With full throttle (on a Himalayan Enfield motorcycle at that altitude, it’s really not that fast), my mind is so fixated on the goal of reaching the summit that I nearly forget to appreciate the stunning beauty around me. It feels like a dream.
Then it hits me, in my single-minded determination to reach the top, I’m missing out on the journey! So, I pull over to the side of the road, overwhelmed with a wave of gratitude. Tears roll down my face as I take in the majestic grandeur of the Himalayas. Am I really here? I put one hand on my heart, take a few deep breaths, thank the path that led us here, and with renewed appreciation for the journey, hop back on the bike to ride the last few kilometers to the top with my fellow EOers, who now feel more like family.
Gratitude and Presence at the Summit
Arriving at the destination almost feels bittersweet. I’m swamped with emotions—joy, gratitude, relief. We did it! The goal, once so far away, is now beneath our wheels.
Standing on top of a rock, I take it all in, tears flowing again. Is the altitude turning me into a cry-baby, or is it the sense of exhilaration and magic of the Himalayas? I don’t care, I’m just grateful.
Derrek Holland, an EO Sacramento member, summed it up: “This was one of the hardest, most demanding, most beautiful, and most enjoyable trips I have ever done in my life—I would’ve never done this had I not been a part of EO.”
In business, we’re often so focused on the pursuit of success, chasing financial targets, and meeting KPIs that we forget to savor the everyday moments. We tend to measure our achievements by the money we make and the things we acquire.
Finding Joy Throughout the Journey
But true success doesn’t lie in how much we can accumulate, it lies in how much we enjoy the journey, who we become along the way and how many lives we positively impact.
It begs the question, are we truly present on our entrepreneurial journeys, or are we just enduring the grind, eyes set only on the next summit?
Once we reach one peak, we often barely pause before setting our sights on the next. Joy can be found in the moments between the highs.
I’m the first to admit that I’ve been caught in the “I can’t wait to reach the next summit” trap many times. So, every morning, I remind myself how I want to show up, and what emotion I want to embody so I can carry that into my work. Earlier this year, when I felt joy slipping away, I placed a simple note on my screen with the word ‘joy’ on it. And guess what? It worked. Could it really be that simple? Sometimes, the best things in life are.
I applied the same approach to this ride. Every morning upon waking, I decided how I wanted to show up, even if I didn’t’ feel amazing from the altitude or lack of sleep. I focused on embodying a positive emotion, and it worked. Whenever we came across a more challenging part such as water crossings, I felt my mind slipping into an “I’m going to drop my bike into the river” spiral. I’d stop, laugh at the silliness of my thoughts, and changed the tune to “I’ve got this.”
When we hit rough patches both on the road and in life, it’s easy to let fear take over. But it’s crucial to remind ourselves of the power of our minds and bring our focus back to the present to truly enjoy the journey instead of racing to the finish line.
Eran Heffetz of EO Israel said it perfectly: “True courage dances on the edge between wisdom and silliness. Stray too far into recklessness, and the journey is over. Courage is not just about facing challenges like this ride; it’s the mastery of your own limits and the refusal to let the ego steer your path. It’s the strength to ride your own line, not to prove something to others.”
After a few moments at the top of the world’s highest motorable pass, warmed by a cup of chai, lots of photos and big smiles, we begin our descent. The rain starts to fall lightly, and I can’t help but smile. I shall be carrying this experience in my heart for a long time to come.
So, is it the journey or the destination that truly matters? Ancient wisdom leans toward the journey, but without a destination, there is no journey. Yet, there’s a missing piece: The people we share it with. They’re the ones who make both the journey and the destination unforgettable.
Choose a destination that excites you and enjoy the ride to get there!
Contributed to EO by Franziska Iseli, an EO APAC Bridge chapter member who is an author and serial entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Basic Bananas, which provides marketing mentoring for small businesses. She’s also the founder of Oceanlovers and Moments of Humanity. Franziska is planning future motorcycle adventures in Morocco, South Africa and Lesotho, Uganda, and Scotland. Check out more photography from the trip on Franziska’s Instagram.
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