Indian Motorcyclist Yogesh Alekar’s Dream Round-the-World Journey Halted After Bike Stolen in UK

Yogesh Alekar, a 33-year-old motorcyclist from Mumbai, India, set out on an ambitious solo journey to ride across the world on his KTM 390 Adventure motorcycle. Starting from Mumbai on May 1, 2025, Alekar covered over 24,000 kilometers across 17 countries in just 118 days, documenting his adventure as a full-time content creator under the handle “Roaming Wheels.”

His journey, which took him through diverse terrains and cultures in Asia and Europe, was abruptly halted on August 28, 2025, when his motorcycle was stolen in Nottingham, UK. The theft, which occurred in broad daylight at Wollaton Park, not only took his beloved bike but also his passport, cameras, laptop, and other essentials, leaving him stranded and heartbroken.

An Epic Journey Across 17 Countries

Yogesh Alekar’s round-the-world motorcycle trip was a dream born out of passion and a desire to explore the world on two wheels. A former architect, Alekar saved up for years to fund this adventure, investing over £20,000 into his journey, including the purchase of his KTM 390 Adventure in April 2025.

Starting from Mumbai, he embarked on a route that spanned Asia and Europe, covering countries such as Iran, Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Finland, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. His journey was not just a physical challenge but a cultural odyssey, as he navigated diverse landscapes, from the deserts of Iran to the fjords of Norway, and shared his experiences with nearly 200,000 followers on social media.

Yogesh Alekar’s journey was marked by resilience and determination. He faced logistical challenges, such as obtaining visas and navigating border crossings, as well as the physical demands of long-distance motorcycling. Despite warnings about the safety of certain countries like Iran and Turkey, Alekar felt secure in those regions, noting that he never encountered issues during his travels there.

His ability to connect with local communities and share their stories through his Instagram and Facebook accounts, where he has 180,000 and 16,000 followers respectively, made him a beloved figure in the global biking community. His posts, filled with vibrant photos and videos, inspired many, and his journey was even recognized by the Indian High Commission in London, where he was felicitated with a certificate during India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2025.

After covering 25,000 kilometres on his new bike to the UK Yogesh Alekari was left stranded when his bike, passport and belongings were stolen and he reportedly received no assistance from the UK police. Hope @HCI_London has reached out to him and extended all possible help. pic.twitter.com/8z6IEVJ9yy

— Arijit Roy🇮🇳 (@iArijitRoy) September 3, 2025

The plan was to continue his journey from Europe to Africa, with a route that would take him from Spain to Morocco, then along the western coast of Africa to Cape Town, before heading to Kenya and eventually returning to India. This ambitious itinerary was part of India’s Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment – campaign, which Yogesh Alekar supported through his eco-conscious travel narrative. However, his dreams were put on hold in Nottingham, where a devastating theft changed the course of his adventure.

The Heartbreaking Theft in Nottingham

On August 28, 2025, Yogesh Alekar parked his KTM 390 Adventure at Wollaton Park in Nottingham, believing it to be a safe location. He was in the city to attend a biker event and visit a friend, and he locked his bike in a busy area with children playing nearby before stepping away for breakfast.

Within an hour, he returned to find his motorcycle gone, along with storage boxes containing his MacBook, two cameras, a spare phone, cash, clothing, his tent, and, most critically, his passport. The stolen items were estimated to be worth over £15,000, but for Yogesh Alekar, the loss was far more than financial. “They stole my motorcycle, but this wasn’t only a motorbike – it was my home, it was my dream, it was my everything as a traveler,” he told BBC News, expressing his shock and grief.

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CCTV footage captured by a park visitor and shared by Yogesh Alekar on his Instagram account revealed the audacity of the theft. The video showed four individuals, including a thief flanked by two moped riders, breaking the bike’s lock with a hammer and riding away in broad daylight. Alekar described the incident as an “organized crime,” noting that the thieves appeared confident and unafraid of consequences.

The loss left him stranded in Nottingham, unable to continue his journey or return to India without his passport and essential documents. In an Instagram video posted on September 1, 2025, he shared his despair, stating, “I am panicked at this moment because this bike was my passion, it was my dream, it was my soul, and it was completely everything for me. And now I am in the UK in the middle of nowhere.”

Yogesh Alekar’s frustration was compounded by his experience with the local authorities. After reporting the theft to Nottinghamshire Police, he was issued a crime reference number but received no immediate assistance. “I called the police, and it seemed so strange that they just sent me a crime number,” he said.

“I was told they would call me back, and I waited in the park, but they never did.” This lack of immediate response led Yogesh Alekar to criticize the UK police, stating in an Instagram post, “UK police failed to control theft crimes in this country. India is the safest place to travel. We never ever lock our wheels in India, that’s the success of our police system.” His comments sparked discussions online, with some users expressing outrage over the incident and others offering support and encouragement.

Efforts to Recover and Move Forward

The theft of Yogesh Alekar’s motorcycle has not only halted his journey but also sparked a wave of support from his followers and the broader biking community. Indian automotive forums, such as Team-BHP, have rallied behind him, advising him to contact the Indian High Commission in London for assistance with replacing his stolen passport. The High Commission has reportedly been in touch to help, recognizing the severity of his situation.

Yogesh Alekar has actively sought help through social media, urging his followers to spread the word in hopes of recovering his black, white, and orange KTM 390 Adventure. His posts have garnered significant attention, with comments like, “Yogesh bhai, you’ve been an inspiration to many. Stay strong, we are with you,” reflecting the community’s solidarity.

Nottinghamshire Police have launched an appeal to locate the stolen motorcycle, with officers conducting local inquiries and sharing images of the bike to aid in its recovery. PC Andy Smith of Nottinghamshire Police acknowledged the emotional toll of the theft, stating, “When you consider the victim’s story and how far he traveled, I can only imagine how distressing it was for him to find his motorbike and belongings had been stolen.

Our policing teams have been following multiple lines of inquiry since this happened and hope sharing an image of the bike in this appeal will help us locate it quicker.” Despite these efforts, the bike remains missing as of September 3, 2025, leaving Yogesh Alekar in limbo. The incident has also highlighted broader issues of vehicle theft in the UK, with Alekar’s case echoing a similar theft earlier in 2025 when Dutch biker and YouTuber Itchy Boots had her motorcycle stolen in Swansea, Wales.

Yogesh Alekar’s experience has led him to reflect on safety perceptions, noting that he felt safer in countries like Iran and Turkey, which are often considered less secure, compared to the UK. “People warned me about the UK, but I thought I was away from London and it would be OK in Nottingham,” he said, expressing his disbelief at the incident. As Alekar navigates this setback, he remains determined to continue his journey. His next steps involve recovering his stolen items, particularly his passport, to either resume his trip or return home.

The biking community and his followers continue to offer support, with many urging him to stay strong and hopeful. His story serves as a reminder of the risks travelers face, even in seemingly safe environments, and the resilience required to pursue such ambitious dreams. While the theft has left Yogesh Alekar with only the clothes on his back, his spirit and the support of his community may yet help him get back on the road to complete his round-the-world adventure.