The surreal landscape of Ladakh is a favourite destination with bikers seeking adventure and riding up there is considered by adventure junkies as the ultimate test for both human and machine. To ride up to Khardung La (18,380ft) one of the highest motorable roads in the world, one needs a powerful motorbike along with a lot of experience say experts. Anam Hashim, a 20-year-old stunt biker however, managed to change that notion as she needed only a 110cc scooty to fuel her passion for biking and made it to the pass riding solo.
Talking about the journey, Anam says she was like any other student of Fashion Design who would drive her scooty to college and back and never thought it could be put to such an extreme test. She says that when experienced bikers heard what she was going to do, they ridiculed her and did not think it was possible to pull off. Those most in disbelief were members of Bullet clubs who thought it was an absurd idea to go there on a scooty. But Anam who's relationship with motorbikes started as soon as her feet could touch the ground when seated on one, has been pushing the limit ever since to become a stunt biker and gain prominence in a predominantly male-dominated sport. She says “you need to be extremely fit to take on a journey under such harsh weather, sub-zero temperature, tough riding conditions and bouts of altitude sickness. But being a fitness freak I was prepared for such a ride.”
“ The tough part was riding solo as I am not an adventure biker and while riding in the mountains with hardly any traffic your mind is clear of thoughts. ”
Anam started her solo journey from Jammu and rode via Kargil and Leh to reach Khardung La. She says that her experience during stunt-rides that requires good brake and clutch skills helped her on her trip. “The tough part was riding solo as I am not an adventure biker and while riding in the mountains with hardly any traffic your mind is clear of thoughts. I kept thinking about my goal and had decided that when I reach my destination, instead of taking a selfie, I would do a handstand to celebrate. That thought of celebration kept me going,” says Anam. The ride was not a fast ride as the aim was to explore that locales and the entire trip took 18 days for the rider. Luckily there were no mishaps and the 110cc bike made the journey without any difficulties. Anam says that as she rode higher, she saw snow for the first time in her life and it was a very exciting experience.
Passing by numerous checkposts of the Indian Army, Anam said that the soldiers were surprised to see her riding alone and would often get quite inquisitive to know what she was doing there. But the thumbs-up and cheers she received from them were extremely encouraging. Anam did manage to do a handstand at Khardung La and that has encouraged her to undertake more adventurous journeys.
For women in motor sports, Anam feels that there is no real career path and it is very tough to earn a living from it, but she wants to carry on following her passion. She has already made her name as a stunt biker and is now setting out to discover stunning places seeking adventure on two wheels.
