Bound for Khardung La: OZ Racing-equipped Pinoy road riders all set for daunting journey

CEBU, Philippines —  Two days before their departure, OZ Racing leaves no stone unturned as far as the preparations of the nine Filipino road riders is concerned for their highly anticipated adventure ride of a lifetime billed as “Riding High Khardung La” slated on August 20 to September 1 at Leh district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh.

Knowing that they will be fully exposed to the elements when driving their motorcycles, OZ Racing main man Zandro Fajardo, a certified adventurer who has been there before, makes sure that they are fully armed with essential riding gears that would serve as their first line of defense in case of a casual tip-over or serious accident in the course of their treacherous journey.

“The safety and welfare of the participants is of paramount importance that is why we equipped ourselves with all the necessary gears for our maximum protection as we try to conquer one of the highest motorable pass in the world,” said Fajardo.

Specially designed for this adventure trek, the team will be fitted with OZ Racing gears from the Balaclava, to the cold resistant gloves, pants, and jackets all the way to the bags.

“Also, it is very important that riders should be in shape before going to this trip as we need our body to cope up with changes in altitude as Leh is situated 3,500 meters above sea level.”

“The further we go higher the altitude increases, the atmospheric pressure drops and the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. Our body has to adapt to the lack of oxygen. That is why acclimatization is very vital,” added Fajardo, who will be joined by Camilo Bacalso Dacua, Christian Silva Netto, John Jedrick Syren, Wesley Syren, Joel Yuga, Jojo Yu, Kenneth Jude Timtim Villagonzalo, and Aristotle Dionisio in the 12-day Himalayan expedition covering a total of 1,300 kilometers at a formidable height of 18,380 feet.

They will depart for India on Thursday morning (August 18). Up ahead for them are eight spectacular destinations in Ladakh starting off in Leh to the towns of Lamaryu and Alchi. They will then head to Region Viz before taking on the main showcase in Khardung La. They will have two more stops in Pangong Tso and Chang La before winding up in Tso Moriri.

Held in partnership with Colokal (Explore beyond the usual), OZ Racing’s first international touring event is made possible through the support of Benelli, Motul, Kojie San, Motovita, Zanovoy, Archway Motorcycles, RideSFO, Trans One Port Solution, JABBRE, ROC, Tito Rex’s Steak House and OZ Ex Moto Classic.

“It’s a daunting task ahead but we’re ready to rise above the challenge. We are doing this not only for personal pride, but also to make our fellow countrymen proud. We offer and dedicate this ultimate ride to the entire Filipino nation,” Fajardo concluded.