Unmesh Damle

From Recovery to the Himalayas: My KTM Comeback Ride

Monday 14th Apr 2025

From Recovery to the Roof of the World: How Riding a KTM Transformed Me

 

There was a time—not too long ago—when even a 10 km ride felt exhausting. I was recovering from illness, an ACL surgery, and was at my lowest level of fitness. My beloved old bike had gathered dust, and the thrill of the open road seemed like a distant dream.

But everything changed in October 2021, when I brought home my first KTM Duke 200. Little did I know, this wasn’t just a new motorcycle—it was the beginning of a remarkable comeback.

The Duke didn’t make it easy. It demanded strength, endurance, and skill, all of which I had to rebuild from scratch. Ride by ride, I trained myself—10 km became 50, then 100, then 600, and eventually, a 900 km overnight ride to join my first KTM ProXP event in Bangalore.

That was the turning point. The ProXP community inspired me, the training sharpened my skills, and the bike kept pushing me to go further. In 2023, I set out on a journey I once thought impossible—a 6,000 km solo ride from Pune to Ladakh, conquering some of the highest motorable passes in the world.

Now, with the KTM 390 Adventure in my garage and memories of the Great Ladakh Adventure Tour still fresh, I look back at the road I’ve travelled—not just the miles, but the transformation.

From struggling to ride, to standing tall on the Himalayan heights, this journey has been about more than just bikes—it’s been about resilience, rediscovery, and the spirit of adventure.

And as I prepare for my next big ride—Nepal with KTM ProXP—I know one thing for sure:

The road may be tough, but so am I.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Monday 14th Apr 2025 On Sunday the 18th of May 2025, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.