In the hilly terrains outside a majestic Himalayan resort, a 55-year-old Kolkata man embarked on a journey across the mountains — not on a high-torque cruiser, not in a four-wheel-drive SUV, but on a humble 100 cc moped.
Dressed in layered riding gear, Subrata Boral, a Guinness World Record holder, revved up his petite two-wheeler as he hit the mountain roads on Tuesday.
Boral’s journey is anything but ordinary. With no backup crew, no luxury touring gear, and astride a 100cc bike, the New Town resident has set off on a route that includes Umling La (5,883m), Marsimik La (5,582m), Photi La (5,524m), Chang La (5,360m), and Khardung La (5,359m) — these are some of the highest motorable roads in India.
“It’s not the machine, but the rider’s heart that makes the journey meaningful,” Boral said before getting on his two-stroke bike, a TVS XL 100.
Boral went on his first road trip on a bike back in 1989. By 1995, Boral had already completed his first major solo trip through Rajasthan.
“Even back then, I didn’t need a powerful bike. We had 100cc bikes and we made them work. You don’t need the best gear, you need the best mindset,” said Boral, a businessman by profession.
Boral's journey was flagged off from the Khyber Himalayan Resort on July 15
This is a private adventure blessed by the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of India (FMSCI), with backing from the body’s president Arindam Ghosh.
From the flower-laden trails of Gulmarg to the oxygen-starved ascents of Ladakh, Boral’s solo expedition is more than a test of machine and muscle — it’s a tribute to perseverance, the adventuring spirit, and the simple love of the road.
Willpower beats horsepower! With a route covering more than 20 major landmarks including Tanglang La (5,328m), Wari La (5,312m), Shinku La (5,091m), Penzi La (4,400m) and Zoji La (3,528m), Subrata Boral’s journey epitomises this adage.
