A slow ride through one of India’s most biodiverse regions.
There’s a saying in the Indian riding community: “If you ride India properly, you’ve already ridden the world.” Gautham, a filmmaker and #revitrider, has always taken that sentiment to heart. And this year, instead of crossing borders, he went deeper into his own country.
Tracing the Heart of the Sahyadris
The journey he set out on is called Solo Sahyadri, a solo ride tracing the length of the Western Ghats, also known locally as the Sahyadri Hills. It’s a mountain range older than the Himalayas, running roughly 1,600 kilometers along India’s western coast. Recognized as the eighth “hottest hotspot” of biological diversity in the world, these forests are home to at least 325 globally threatened species of flora and fauna; birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
It’s a place bursting with life, culture, and history, and it has fascinated him for years.
As he rides, Gautham is not only documenting the untold stories of the Sahyadris; he’s actively giving something back to the places and people who welcome him in.
A Ride Meant to Be Slow
The plan was to ride for about a month, but that time frame has already passed, and he hasn’t yet finished exploring even the first state. He found himself stopping often, staying longer than planned, and taking the time to meet locals, learn their histories, and explore every nook and cranny.
The weather played its part, too. From day four onward, a monsoon set in, with relentless downpours soaking the landscape for weeks on end. As the roads grew more slippery and his tires wore down quickly, travel speed dropped considerably, and a detour became necessary to find a city.
Yet through it all, Gautham carried on without getting wet at all. Monsoon conditions provided a perfect proof-of-concept testing environment for his Tectonic H2O outfit. Designed with waterproof 3L outer shells and a modular layering system, the gear was specifically built to weather these kinds of conditions.
“This is probably the first time I’ve travelled at such a slow pace,” Gautham shared, “and yes, I’m actually enjoying the thrill of slow travel, taking the time to understand the rhythm of the land and its people.”
Scattering Seeds of Renewal
One thing Gautham carried alongside his tools and gear was seed balls. These were simple yet powerful tools of reforestation, seeds encased in balls of soil and natural manure that began to sprout with the first rains, requiring no extra care. What made them even more special was that they were made by schoolchildren he met in Kerala.
At each campsite, deep in the forest, or while staying with local families, he’d place or gift a few of them; a small gesture toward ecological restoration, rooted in local knowledge and youthful hands.
He shares, “To me, it was symbolic: the children created them, I carried them across the Sahyadris, and together we contributed to keeping this ecosystem alive.”
The Road Ahead
The journey is still ongoing. He’s only just begun to scratch the surface of the Western Ghats, and with each state, the land reshapes itself. So do the people, the weather, and the pace.
Gautham's journey is a great example of our view on responsibility. It supports the planet through small-scale reforestation and by drawing attention to real threats against fragile ecosystems. It connects with people by giving voice to the communities whose lives are shaped by the land. And it proves the purpose of our products: gear that’s built to withstand the extremes, so riders can stay focused on what matters.
For now, Gautham rides on with his camera, his stories, and a few more seed balls in his bags. And we’ll be right here, following along, proud to support a rider who shows us that the future of adventure isn’t just about where we go; it’s about how we go, and what we leave behind. Find out more about what Gautham is up to through his Instagram profile and his YouTube channel.
Responsibility, One Ride at a Time
At REV’IT!, our commitment to shaping a sustainable future for riding is about more than materials and supply chains. It lives in the choices we make and in the stories we help tell.
Riders like Gautham remind us that responsibility doesn’t always need to be something big. It can look like a handful of seed balls placed in the soil by someone passing through. It can be documenting the resistance of a small village to a hydroelectric project threatening to flood their farmland, something he also did. It can be the way a rider chooses to move more slowly, to listen more, and to tread a little lighter. But whatever it is, it is always done with intention.
Who is Gauthan?
Gautham is a motorcycle traveler, filmmaker, motorcyclist, and anthropology graduate from Kerala, India. During his travels he captures cultures and stories from the road as he pursues cross-continental journeys that inspire people to ride through shared experiences.
