Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Jun: Two veteran soldiers from Dehradun embarked, today, on a bold 2,860 km motorcycle odyssey across the high Himalayas to celebrate life, service, and the spirit of endurance.
Col Rakesh Singh Sidhu (Retd), aged 70, of 12 Mechanised Infantry, and Captain Nandan Singh Bisht (Retd), aged 68, of 6/8 GR, will ride Honda CB350 H’ness motorcycles from Dehradun to Srinagar, Leh and beyond.
They will cross maximum of Ladakh’s highest motorable passes above 5,000 metres elevation in five days before returning via Manali. The Skyriders’ Transcendental Ride across Ladakh is scheduled for 15 – 24 June 2026, covering challenging terrain and extreme altitude over ten days.
This journey undertaken at an age when most slow down – symbolises grit, discipline, and the lifelong warrior ethos. The riders will average near 300 km a day on roads that demand intense concentration, physical endurance, and high-altitude acclimatisation. Medical precautions, including acclimatisation stops and emergency oxygen support, are in place.
Key stops include Tangtse, Hanle, and Nyoma. The veterans seek local certification from Ladakh formation units for successfully negotiating these 5,000+ metre passes.
“This ride is answering the irresistible call of the Himalayas and the ‘never say die’ mental toughness and discipline that service in the armed forces teaches. At 70 years, we ride to show that age is a mere number, courage and commitment do not age,” stated Col RS Sidhul
The route they will take is Dehradun → Srinagar → Leh → maximum passes above 5,000m (including Khardung La, Umling La, Wari La, Photi La, Kaksang La) → Manali → Dehradun.
