Dream. Ride. Write. Repeat: Kumar Shah’s Formula for a Life Well-Lived

by Ankush Bharti

Today, we’re delighted to share an exclusive  conversation with Kumar Shah—an adventurer, author, publisher, and passionate promoter of motorsports. 

I first came across Kumar as a co-author in Stories of Courage – Volume 2, and was immediately struck by the depth of his journey.

From his humble beginnings and stellar achievements as an athlete to his epic solo motorcycle ride from India to London, Kumar’s story is one of grit, passion, and purpose. His debut book Ride Your Dreams captures this incredible journey, and he continues to inspire with his work in literature and adventure.

Let’s explore the many facets of Kumar Shah’s remarkable journey.

1. What inspired you to write Ride Your Dreams after completing such a challenging expedition?

I researched multiple logistics for conducting such a big motorcycle expedition across several countries, three continents and that too on my own. This was to be a solo journey. I came across multiple roadblocks regarding authentic information, mandatory permission, logistics, vehicle insurance, border crossing issues etc. To gain proper information I read blogs and visited many websites of riders riding across borders. I consulted many travel agencies regarding visas too. It was frustrating as travel sites and blogs gave me a lot of information, some useful but mostly contradictory. At the end of seven months I was totally confused. It was then I realised that the blogs and websites I referred to belonged to riders from various countries holding a foreign passport while I hold an Indian passport. The rules and norms differed from country to country for visas, border crossing etc for foreign passport holders. For e.g. an American passport holder has to ride to a border where he shall get a visa for any country on entry, while an Indian passport holder has to get visas three months before with overlapping days for border crossing.

Eventually after eleven months before I was fully ready to roll out for my India to London expedition. I would like to see Indians also ride to foreign land and it is for the benefit of riders of India I wrote this book. I have also dedicated my book to the riders of India. There is a chapter named BLUE PRINT where I have explained in detail the entire process of conducting such an event and also riding solo.   

2. How do you define life based on your experiences?

What I experienced in the 76 days on the road no book or teacher can teach. I came back as a stronger personality and realised that we Indians are capable of doing and achieving just about anything in this world. My confidence grew by leaps and bounds. This extraordinary motorcycle expedition endorsed my belief that there are good people in the world. I strongly believe that travel is the only expense that makes one richer.

The world seems a really small place now. I made lifelong friends with like minded motorcyclists riding across boundaries. After the event many have come to India, stayed with me and ridden together for weeks. Likewise I have been invited to their country, stayed with their family and rode with them too. For the love of money one cannot get to know so many international riders and become friends. This is my true earning from my extraordinary motorcycle expedition from India to London and I thank God truly.

3. What were the biggest challenges you faced while compiling the book, especially when documenting such a detailed and personal journey?

I did have a habit of penning down activities during college days and so before I started my expedition I decided to make notes every single day. I scheduled at least an hour to write and organise my photos. I did not know where to start from but finally decided that I shall write the book as a day wise account so those reading it will get a feeling as if they are actually riding along with me. I also wrote weekly blogs that are published on Forbes India portal. I wrote for some newspapers too while on the go. The challenge was actually getting down to write every single day. I had scheduled my ride in such a way that after three days of riding I would take one day’s break. This helped me keep updated all the while. The electronic camera also helps greatly. Having a very good hand with photography I had taken lots of photos and videos enroute. When the photos are transferred to the computer one can see the time the photo was taken alongwith the date in properties. This helped greatly in maintaining the actual flow of the storyline. I had taken thousands of photos so I got great details of the expedition.  

The biggest ordeal was after I completed the book I was in self doubt if the reader would actually like to read it. Well in one year of publishing I have sold my first edition and people love my book. The response has been overwhelming. 

4. What key message do you hope readers, especially aspiring adventurers and riders, take away from your book?

Everyone has a dream, why not live it. My key message is that I would like to see more and more Indians open up and live their dreams of riding to foreign lands. Believe me there is nothing more satisfying in life than living your dream. I am very happy that some Indians have ridden to many countries after I have done it. Some of them called to thank me for showing the way to the riding community at large to live their dreams of riding to far away lands. To all the aspiring adventurers I would like to say that, “My life has been a manifestation of dreams and aspirations, don’t wait for tomorrow for life is for those who see the sunshine again. My book Ride Your Dreams - India to London on a Motorcycle is written in a simple language and all are welcome to get in touch with me if they need any assistance. 

The main takeaway of my book is that whatever your dreams may be, be passionate, follow your dreams and go for it so you have stories for your grandchildren to be proud of. We Indians can not only do it but do it in style.

5. You’ve mentioned that your book can serve as a blueprint for Indian riders. What are the most critical pieces of advice you would give to someone planning a similar journey?

My book can serve as a blueprint as I have systematically explained all the procedures step wise required to execute such big motorcycle events around the world. The most critical advice to keep in mind is that SAFETY HAS NO HOLIDAY. One has to be mentally very very strong.

6. How do you manage your daily schedule while balancing your diverse pursuits in writing, business, and adventure?

I understood very early in life that a person who is busy has time for every little thing. So I schedule the first five days of the week in a set pattern, and I am an early riser. First four hours for physical training, yoga, meditations, morning news on TV and newspaper reading. Delegating responsibility with authority has helped me do my adventures while my business is taken care of by dedicated staff. Presence of online has also eased the process. I spend an hour writing after my lunch at the office. My office closes at 5 pm after which I spend time with family and daily chores. Evenings are spent socialising and some days on zoom meets

7. You started your writing journey relatively late after already achieving success in business and sports. What advice would you give to someone who feels it’s “too late” to pursue their creative dreams?

It's never too late for anything in life.Writing is a big responsibility in one's life. I believe that every person has some special talent within and this must be shared with the world. It's a way to give back to society. Once a book is published one may never know when one would read the book from which part of the world and get inspired. There are so many solutions people seek that would get addressed which seemingly look normal to the writer.

Every task in life looks difficult but, once you put yourself to attempting it, things would unfold and eventually the book would be published.Being persistent is the key and a formal training would help greatly.

8. Did you ever struggle with self-doubt or hesitation when starting to write? 

I was in a dilemma where to start from but being from a journalist background I did not face self-doubt or hesitation. I had already written my day wise account white on the extraordinary motorcycle journey.

9. What mindset shift is necessary to start a new creative journey later in life?

On my motorcycle journey from India to London I met a journalist in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland and learnt that after he retired he bought his first motorcycle to pursue his passion of motorcycling. Isn't that amazing. One should follow their passion or hobby whatever it is whenever they can.I also know so many who have retired from their professional job and have reignited their passion and started a new creative journey in life. One has to be focused and passionate to fulfil their dreams.It is also important to embed in one's life what we learnt very early in our school days that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

10. Given the increasing stress levels among youth today, what advice would you offer to help them manage and overcome it?

Stress is very individual and depends on the nature of the individual. People who want to control everything in their life are the ones who get stressed the most.There are many other factors that affect stress like genetics, personality, childhood trauma and personality.There is an increasing stress levels among youth due to the free and availability of communication that has made our planet a very small place.Engaging in constructive activities, exercise and good food habits can help reduce stress to a great level. Social media has its own impact on people, especially on youth. Minimising or still  better, scheduling screen time will help the youth a lot. Giving priority to family will also have a positive impact and reduce stress. One should also include yoga and meditation in one's life. 

11. Do you think your life experiences as a sportsman, traveler, and businessman have shaped your approach to writing and storytelling?

Certainly, travelling, sports and being a businessman has shaped my life positively to a great extent. Sports has taught me to be sporting in life accepting losses and gains in life, travelling has given me tremendous confidence and business a comfortable life. 

12. What would you say to someone in their 40s, 50s, or beyond who wants to start a new creative career but feels discouraged by their age?

Everyone knows that age is just a number but when it comes to their own life people do not live according to it. I have observed that people do not schedule time for play in their daily routine.Most of them never play at all. People remain indoors most of their lives. In today's age 40s and 50s is the new middle age.One has to live a life of good health. 

13. Do you have any advice or a life mantra you’d like to share with our readers?

Everyone has a dream and dreams do not die. They simply remain in the subconscious mind and surface when you recall them. My life is a manifestation of dreams and aspirations.I first dreamt of riding from India to London in the year 1983 but eventually successfully lived my dream in 2013 - 30 years late at the age of 53. One should follow their dreams to the fullest,  for life is for those who see the sunshine again.