Riding High : Max Howard Q+A

We spoke with Max Howard to hear about his recent Royal Enfield trip to the Himalayas and how his Hockliffe Jacket held up.

What was the plan for this trip?

I received an email out of the blue from Royal Enfield, asking if I’d be interested in taking part in a seven-day motorcycle adventure through the Himalayas, ending in the Zanskar Valley. The main focus of the trip was to take a few riders out to capture and share the experience.

The trip started off in Leh (Ladakh). We spent a day and a half acclimating to the altitude of 3,500 metres. We then headed west, traversing the Himalayas for the next seven days. tackling dirt roads, winding valleys, and gorges along flowing rivers, climbing and descending some of the highest mountain passes in the world. At times, it definitely felt like I was riding through the world's most dangerous roads, but it was absolutely breathtaking.

How did you find riding in your Hockliffe Jacket?

Without sounding like a sales pitch, the Hockliffe jacket was perfect for this trip. Most of the journey was absolutely boiling, so having something lightweight that still offered protection was a dream. It was super comfortable on the warmer days, and as we climbed and rode through cooler temperatures, being able to layer up underneath was ideal.

One of my favourite things about the jacket is that it doesn’t actually look like a typical motorcycle jacket. I could wear it around the fire in the evenings or even out visiting the markets, without feeling like out of place.

What was your stand out moment?

The whole trip was full of standout moments - riding along single-track roads carved through mountains with sheer drops into the river below, nearly getting crushed by falling boulders, facing flash floods, and camping under the stars while drinking homemade moonshine with the locals. But for me, the standout moment was near the end, when Shane Benson and I headed out on a sunset mission to the most incredible valley.

We spent the next hour riding off-road, kicking up dust as the most stunning sunset came through the valley. Throughout the trip, we had some amazing rides and captured beautiful photos, but there was something special about having that hour to ride on our own terms, in perfect lighting. It really made the trip for me and both of us came away with some of our favourite images from the adventure.

A trip like this ranks pretty high on most people’s lists. Any advice for someone who’s thinking of going?

Yeah, this trip was definitely a bucket list experience for me and hands down one of the best adventures I’ve ever been on. The landscapes, the people, the food, and the whole culture are something incredible, and it’s something you can only truly experience by getting yourself out there. There are so many bike rentals and tour companies available - all you need is to show up with some gear, and you’ll be on your way. Life is short, my only advice is to get out there and do it.

Where’s Next?

I’m looking to get back over to Morocco during the winter. There are whispers of racing in a rally through the Sahara, so that could be a good time. Then, I’ll get the wheels turning for something a bit bigger in the spring. I’d love to explore Iceland on a dirt bike and pair that with a photography trip. Let’s see what the New Year brings!

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WORDS: MAX HOWARD
PHOTOGRAPHS: MAX HOWARD + SHANE BENSON
CLOTHING: HOCKLIFFE JACKET

Riding High : Max Howard Q+A

We spoke with Max Howard to hear about his recent Royal Enfield trip to the Himalayas and how his Hockliffe Jacket held up.

What was the plan for this trip?

I received an email out of the blue from Royal Enfield, asking if I’d be interested in taking part in a seven-day motorcycle adventure through the Himalayas, ending in the Zanskar Valley. The main focus of the trip was to take a few riders out to capture and share the experience.

The trip started off in Leh (Ladakh). We spent a day and a half acclimating to the altitude of 3,500 metres. We then headed west, traversing the Himalayas for the next seven days. tackling dirt roads, winding valleys, and gorges along flowing rivers, climbing and descending some of the highest mountain passes in the world. At times, it definitely felt like I was riding through the world's most dangerous roads, but it was absolutely breathtaking.

How did you find riding in your Hockliffe Jacket?

Without sounding like a sales pitch, the Hockliffe jacket was perfect for this trip. Most of the journey was absolutely boiling, so having something lightweight that still offered protection was a dream. It was super comfortable on the warmer days, and as we climbed and rode through cooler temperatures, being able to layer up underneath was ideal.

One of my favourite things about the jacket is that it doesn’t actually look like a typical motorcycle jacket. I could wear it around the fire in the evenings or even out visiting the markets, without feeling like out of place.

What was your stand out moment?

The whole trip was full of standout moments - riding along single-track roads carved through mountains with sheer drops into the river below, nearly getting crushed by falling boulders, facing flash floods, and camping under the stars while drinking homemade moonshine with the locals. But for me, the standout moment was near the end, when Shane Benson and I headed out on a sunset mission to the most incredible valley.

We spent the next hour riding off-road, kicking up dust as the most stunning sunset came through the valley. Throughout the trip, we had some amazing rides and captured beautiful photos, but there was something special about having that hour to ride on our own terms, in perfect lighting. It really made the trip for me and both of us came away with some of our favourite images from the adventure.

A trip like this ranks pretty high on most people’s lists. Any advice for someone who’s thinking of going?

Yeah, this trip was definitely a bucket list experience for me and hands down one of the best adventures I’ve ever been on. The landscapes, the people, the food, and the whole culture are something incredible, and it’s something you can only truly experience by getting yourself out there. There are so many bike rentals and tour companies available - all you need is to show up with some gear, and you’ll be on your way. Life is short, my only advice is to get out there and do it.

Where’s Next?

I’m looking to get back over to Morocco during the winter. There are whispers of racing in a rally through the Sahara, so that could be a good time. Then, I’ll get the wheels turning for something a bit bigger in the spring. I’d love to explore Iceland on a dirt bike and pair that with a photography trip. Let’s see what the New Year brings!

---

WORDS: MAX HOWARD
PHOTOGRAPHS: MAX HOWARD + SHANE BENSON
CLOTHING: HOCKLIFFE JACKET