From smashing the stereotypes to catching the biking bug to discovering her own homeland in a new light during a latest biking expedition, we speak to local biker Tenzin Metoh about her tryst with the adventures of Arunachal Pradesh.
Ask Tenzin Metoh how was her experience of zipping through the rugged, untouched terrains of Arunachal Pradesh on a Ducati Panigale V2 for four days straight, and without missing a beat, she calls it, ‘an experience of a lifetime’.
It might sound a bit off at first when you hear Metoh, a passionate biker who herself hails from the Monyul territory of the state’s Tawang region, say that much of what she experienced during those four days was completely new to her. But that’s what makes this wild piece of land, tucked far in the northeastern corner of India, quite inimitable.
Rising abruptly from the Assam plains, Arunachal is still left largely untouched, with its vast virginal grasslands, remote mountain valleys, densely forested hills, and snowcapped peaks running along the Tibetan border. Its adventures go well beyond the standard tourist trails, and that is exactly why Arunachal Paradesh Tourism recently launched Explore Beyond, an all-women biking expedition.
Flagged off by the state’s chief minister Pema Khandu, the expedition saw four ace women bikers from India — Candida Louis, a solo Indian adventure tourer; Maral Yazarloo, the Iranian-Indian founder of Lady Riders of India; Kalyani Potekar, known as the fastest woman biker in India; of course, Tenzin Metoh — riding Ducati Multistrada(s) through an all-new terrain. They went about exploring lesser-known destinations like Jairampur, which is home to a World War II cemetery; Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve; well-hidden Mayodia Pass; quaint tribal villages like Rima; and Dambuk where the famed Orange Music Festival is held.
Metoh, who dons many hats — passionate biker, beauty pageant winner, TV host, and state consultant with the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Department — speaks to us about her journey as a local woman biker, her homeland, and the endless adventures she had in Arunachal during the expedition.
1. It was almost surreal for the rest of us to watch all four of you in action! How was the experience for you?
Being an amateur biker and riding with professionals like them, almost every experience during the ride was fresh to me. Riding a Ducati superbike in proper biking gear, getting little tips from the girls while riding, the constant media attention, shooting in destinations I’d never heard of — it was an experience of a lifetime.
2. How did it feel taking the world around Arunachal, your homeland, through this unique biking expedition?
Well, I was hob-knobbing with well-read people and avid travellers. They were aware of what awaited them. My satisfaction lay in watching them put their theoretical knowledge into action and see their happy faces. But yes, I felt an added responsibility in making them familiar with the region and providing them with the correct information on whatever was of interest to them.
3. Most of Arunachal is still pretty much untouched. Did you stumble upon a place/village you hadn’t been before?
Actually, most of the places we covered enroute, were new to me, too! This ride made me realise what I have had been missing out on. I have vowed to travel and see more of my beautiful home.
4. Share a moment or experience that stood out for you on this journey.
On Day 2, I fell down while off-roading in Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve, and my instructor stopped me from riding further. The girls had to continue riding without me, and that made me feel embarrassed. But later, the three sat with me and supported me. In fact, the next day, Maral Yazarloo even came running to tell me that she fell down too just so that I may feel better! That was the moment I realised that these girls were not just superb bikers, but also wonderful, strong confident women, who believed in empowering each other.
5. What inspired you to follow your passion for biking? Tell TD your story!
Well, I come from a family has only male children. I have grown up with seven brothers, and all my first cousins are boys. So, I grew up playing with them, hanging out with them, and eventually, dreaming their dreams along with them. When they would go ride bicycles or trek, I would join them. I guess that’s where my love and passion for bikes stems from.
It started with stealing their bikes parked outside the house, and learning to ride with neutral gears. I always waited for the day I would get a job and become financially stable to buy my very own bike. And that’s exactly what I did! In 2017, I became the first woman bullet rider from Arunachal, and I haven’t stopped ever since.
6. How was riding one of the superbikes from Ducati through the rugged terrains? What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them?
Riding a Ducati Panigale V2, a 210-kg sports bike with a 955 cc V-twin engine, with the heavy biking gear through the rugged terrains. was definitely a task. But I learnt so much on this journey about the biking gear, the techniques, and the importance of training as a professional biker.
7. Let’s talk a little about Monyul, the region you belong to. What’s the best way to explore it? What are the experiences an intrepid traveller may have there?
Well, road-tripping followed by a stay in a local homestay will give an intrepid traveler the most authentic experience. Exploring local monastery, off-roading, camping, hiking, hidden waterfalls, hot-water springs, bird-watching, yak wool shredding, local wine brewing, cheese-making, local cuisines… the list is quite endless! You name it, and we have it. The only thing I can advise a traveller is that you need to come here at leisure for week at least. You cannot explore much in two to three days.
8. What’s next on your bucket list? What destinations do you wish to cover on your bike in 2023?
I don’t want to plan because it never works out. I love going with the flow, and that’s what my plan for 2023 is like too. But I definitely have a professional biking course in Delhi on my list.
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