Relief Riders International

12/06/2024

Why I started Relief Riders International.

This year, I turned 55. Reflecting on my annual trip around the sun, nostalgia took me back even further, reminding me of my most memorable endeavour: the founding of Relief Riders International two decades ago.

Over the years, I’ve been asked many times as to why I started this journey. I invite you to read about how it all started: Link in BIO Change By Doing interview

This privilege that I have called work has taken me across the globe—from offering dentistry to tribes in the Amazon, to riding through the wilds of Turkey and installing playgrounds in remote villages, and organising cataract surgery camps in rural Rajasthan—each new experience interwoven with challenge, growth, and transformation.

Regardless of location or mission, every experience reveals a common thread: positive change is born of a deep inner drive to serve and connect.

Over time, I have realised that our Relief Rides have surpassed the acts of giving and adventure; it invites each of us to turn the gaze inward, to see ourselves, and feel gratitude for experiences that helped forge a path to inner growth.

Ride with us this February as we blend our inner and outward gaze, profoundly impacting the lives of others, and ultimately our own.

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride: 12-22 February, 2025

Warmly,

Alexander

When we shed, we grow. - Anonymous.

12/04/2024

How I found peace with my infertility on a Relief Ride in India.

As all people come to know, life is full of wondrous surprises. Last week, out of the blue, I discovered an inspiring article written a couple of years ago by one of our riders’

Having been born in the United States from parents of two different countries, and schooled in all three of them at a very young age, change was constant, my perspective varied, and my inner landscape regularly challenged. Fitting in anywhere, let alone performing, was experienced by a vulnerability masked by fear and yet to be defined by words.

The simple and subtle power of Kate Brown’s article (link in Bio) reminded me of the journey we all have to make from surviving change to thriving through the acceptance of change, all the while protecting and fostering our self worth regardless of where we find ourselves.

Whether it be, Chris Kirkwood’s wish to ride with us one last time after being diagnosed with advanced early onset Alzheimer’s, Sal Yannotti’s decision to join us on his first long haul ride 18 months after suffering an accident that left him paralysed for 3 months, or Kat Brown’s reckoning with her infertility- I am so deeply humbled to have played a small part in their stories, but more importantly so grateful for the large part they have played in the making of my very own Ithaka. The journey always being more transformative than the destination.

We have a few spaces left on our February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride.

It’s never too late to join us on this Journey.

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride: 12-22 February, 2025.

11/15/2024

Dear Friends,

This year, I turned 55. Reflecting on my annual trip around the sun, nostalgia took me back even further, reminding me of my most memorable endeavour: the founding of Relief Riders International two decades ago.

Over the years, I've been asked many times as to why I started this journey. I invite you to read about how it all started:

Change By Doing article interview

This privilege that I have called work has taken me across the globe—from offering dentistry to tribes in the Amazon, to riding through the wilds of Turkey and installing playgrounds in remote villages, and organising cataract surgery camps in rural Rajasthan—each new experience interwoven with challenge, growth, and transformation.

Regardless of location or mission, every experience reveals a common thread: positive change is born of a deep inner drive to serve and connect.

Over time, I have realised that our Relief Rides have surpassed the acts of giving and adventure; it invites each of us to turn the gaze inward, to see ourselves, and feel gratitude for experiences that helped forge a path to inner growth.

Ride with us this February as we blend our inner and outward gaze, profoundly impacting the lives of others, and ultimately our own.

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride: 12-22 February, 2025

Warmly,

Alexander

When we shed, we grow. - Anonymous.

10/31/2024

In regions where food is scarce, children are the most vulnerable and education can all too often slip to the bottom of the priority list. Relief Riders International is able to help with our education and pediatric medical programs designed to keep children in school as long as possible. Whether it’s providing basic supplies to children in India or building safe, outdoor play areas for kids in Turkey, RRI’s education programs are always a highlight for Relief Riders who have plenty of time to engage with the sweet and curious local children receive their own gifts.

Ride with us this February and help communities in need.

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride
February 12-22, 2025

10/31/2024

✨H A P P Y D I W A L I ✨

10/08/2024

WHAT POSSESSED YOU? THERE MUST HAVE BEEN EASIER THINGS TO START—WHY THIS?
Firstly it all had to do with where I was at in my life. I’d reached a point where I had been lucky enough to travel the world and do all sorts of colorful and interesting jobs—but there was no alignment. I was an observer and could do this skill here and that skill there, but it didn’t add up. I realized there was much more to life than what I was living. Mostly I looked to provide an opportunity to help other people, to give back, to start taking care of the planet, the place I lived. I started the journey of unraveling a wonderful childhood—no negativity or bad experiences—but unraveling the conventions of …childhood…getting back to myself. It was the real reason of me starting these trips. It’s been a five-year journey and it’s still continuing and it’s wondrous.

If we go into finding out why this, why did I try to create this experience, it has also to do with my sense of freedom. I have an interest in being free, both in the mind and the body and also on the planet. Being able to jump out of the mainstream and say I’d really love to go to a beautiful place and see if anybody needs help, and if so, create a system to provide that. It’s part of what I am, the archetype, the ability to jump on a horse or a motorcycle or [pilot] a plane always gives me a sense of replenishment and nourishment.

Come ride with us while providing much needed medical, education and social support to communities with little to no health care.

November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride
6-15 November, 2024

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride
12-22 February, 2025

10/06/2024

I LOVE THAT. FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE IDEA OF JUMPING ON A HORSE OR MOTORCYCLE OR PLANE SEEMS LIKE A WAY OF RUNNING AWAY OR ESCAPING, BUT YOU KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT FOR ENERGY, TO BE REFUELED.

Exactly—I think it goes back to the old Vedic texts and thoughtlessness. To be thoughtless as I ride through the woods or on a small backroad on my motorcycle or to fly through an incredible landscape. Those particular moments provide a thoughtlessness, not an irresponsible thoughtlessness but a mindlessness of being able to experience nature without being manipulated by “me.”

Join us on one of our upcoming Relief Rides:

November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride
7-16 November, 2024

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride
12-22 February, 2025

09/28/2024

CBS News Reel December 2004

09/18/2024

Saddle up! It's time to ride one of the greatest horseback experiences one can have on our planet ✨ Ride with us this November to the world's largest horse and camel fair or this February through the Dunes to dusty villages and help us set up our free eye surgery and dental camp. Distribute livestock to families and individuals in need. Connect with young students while distrusting educational materials and sporting equipment.

This adventure will leave you and the people you meet transformed. When is now the right time to make a difference?

November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride: 7-16 November, 2024

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride : February 12-22, 2025

08/29/2024

I LOVE THAT. FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE IDEA OF JUMPING ON A HORSE OR MOTORCYCLE OR PLANE SEEMS LIKE A WAY OF RUNNING AWAY OR ESCAPING, BUT YOU KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT FOR ENERGY, TO BE REFUELED.
Exactly—I think it goes back to the old Vedic texts and thoughtlessness. To be thoughtless as I ride through the woods or on a small backroad on my motorcycle or to fly through an incredible landscape. Those particular moments provide a thoughtlessness, not an irresponsible thoughtlessness but a mindlessness of being able to experience nature without being manipulated by “me.”

I’ve decided to add a new element to the blog. I will be posting occasional interviews with people I’ve met who are “Agents of Change,” folks who have done or are doing astounding work making a dif…

08/20/2024

Beautiful film made by our horse manager Ganpath Singh of Heidi Craig's Relief Ride. You can read about it on our website. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly special. Ride with us this November or next February on a journey that will not only transform you but also the lives of those you encounter. When is now the right time to make a difference?November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride 7-16 November February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride 12-22 February, 2025.

08/19/2024

Dear Friends,

Alumni rider Chris Kirkwood, who is courageously battling advanced early-onset Alzheimer's, had one final wish: to ride with us one last time. This decision wasn't made lightly. But after imagining myself in Chris’s shoes, I knew that fulfilling his last big wish was not just important—it was essential. Chris’s presence on the ride profoundly impacted all of us, serving as a beautiful reminder of the power of NOW.

Capturing the essence of this incredible journey in her article, "The Ripple Effect: My Journey with Relief Riders,” alumni rider, Heidi Craig, offers a glimpse of the profound connections we made and the extraordinary experiences we shared:

"As the plane touched down in India, my excitement and nervousness swirled together. I had purposefully done no research about India in order to experience it as if through the eyes of a child, without any preconceived opinions. The reality of being in a completely different world hit me, but the warmth of the people hit me more. From the very beginning, I felt embraced by their hospitality. Our differences were vast, but the similarities, especially the universal language of love and kindness, were even more striking.” Read more…
https://www.reliefridersinternational.com/ripple_effect.php

Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly special. Ride with us this November or next February on a journey that will not only transform you but also the lives of those you encounter. When is now the right time to make a difference?

November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride: 7-16 November 2024

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride:12-22 February, 2025

"The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." — Muhammad Ali

08/14/2024

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08/14/2024

Dear friends,

It’s been a busy summer here as we are preparing for both of our upcoming rides. There has been a lot of interest and the rides are filling up.

RIDING WITH EARLY ONSET ALZHEIMER’s
Two years ago we had the privilege of being able to provide a very special and unique heartfelt experience to one of our Alumni riders’. Chris Kirkwood, 55 who originally rode with us in 2006 and contacted me in the summer of 2022 wanting to participate on the November 2022 Pushkar Relief Ride. There was one caveat, he was diagnosed with early onset advanced Alzheimer’s. You can look forward to reading about the challenges, joys and transformative experiences we all had in an inspirational account written by Alumni rider Heidi Craig in our next newsletter. Sign up for our newsletter
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001hDXaORE2PUTnX3Ci8ZdxBg%3D%3D

JOIN VETERAN RIDER NANCY HEISER EITHER IN A CAMEL CART OR AN AC SUV ON OUR FEBRUARY 2025 KHIMSAR RELIEF RIDE
Alumni rider, and New York resident Nancy Heiser, whom has joined us on two different Relief Rides, her first on horseback and her second in an SUV is putting out the call to Alumni riders and new non-riding participants alike to join her this February either on horseback or with her in the SUV. If you have been inspired by our work but did not have the riding skills to join us- Riding in an AC SUV or tented camel cart gives you the opportunity to be a part of the ride, participating in all of our signature humanitarian programs, while partaking in customised itinerary taking you to ancient ruins, sacred temples and villages. More information to follow.

FEBRUARY 2025 KHIMSAR RELIEF RIDE: 12-22 FEBRUARY, 2025
We have a breathe-taking ride this coming February giving us the opportunity to ride through the a large expanse of dunes, taking us on parts of the Silk route to ancient
monuments and forts. The region we will travel through is inhabited by the Bishnois, a tribe known for their stewardship of the well being of both animals and environment.
Along the way, we will be performing our much needed free cataract surgery and dental camp, educational and livestock programs culminating in a beautiful stay at a desert Oasis.

Seize the day and come ride with us as there are spaces still available this November or next February either on horseback, in a Camel Cart or in an SUV.

November 2024 Pushkar Relief Ride: 7-16 November 2024

February 2025 Khimsar Relief Ride:12-22 February, 2025

If you treat an individual as they are, they will remain how they are. But if you treat them as if they were what they ought to be and could be,
they will become what they ought to be and could be. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Note: In each email you receive, there will be a link to unsubscribe or change areas of interest. Your privacy is important to us - please read our Email Privacy Policy.