For months, Yogesh Alekari, a 33-year-old adventurer from India, had been living his dream, riding his motorcycle across the world. He set off from Mumbai on 1 May, weaving through Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and much of Europe, documenting his journey for more than 180,000 Instagram followers. His next big chapter was Africa.
But in Nottingham, England, his challenge of a lifetime was abruptly cut short.
Alekar had parked his KTM 390 Adventure motorbike at Wollaton Park around 11 a.m. on Thursday, before heading across the road for breakfast. He thought it was safe: families were nearby, children were playing, and his bike was securely locked. Yet within an hour, it was gone.
Stolen in broad daylight. A video captured by another park visitor shows the moment three individuals—two on mopeds, one riding away on his KTM snatched the bike. Inside its storage boxes were his passport, MacBook, spare phone, two cameras, cash, and other belongings, altogether worth around £15,000.
“I was totally shocked,” Alekari told the BBC. “I broke down crying. I called the police, but they only gave me a crime number and never came to the park. It was strange and heartbreaking.”
For Alekari, the theft is more than losing a machine; it’s the loss of months of effort, sacrifice, and a dream he has nurtured for years. “My dream is to ride around the world on a motorcycle. I spent a lot of money to get here, and I don’t want to stop now,” he said.
What makes the ordeal even more painful is the irony. He had journeyed through regions many warned him against, Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia and never faced danger. “People warned me about the UK,” he said, “but I thought Nottingham would be safe. I never experienced anything like this anywhere else.”
Police confirmed they are investigating. PC Andy Smith of Nottinghamshire Police said: “When you consider the victim’s story and how far he travelled, I can only imagine how distressing it was for him to find his motorbike and belongings stolen. Our teams are following multiple lines of inquiry, and we hope sharing an image of the bike will help locate it faster.”
Despite the setback, Alekari says he does not want to give up. His original plan was to continue from Spain to Morocco, ride down the western coast of Africa to Cape Town, then up to Kenya, before flying home to India.
Now, he faces a choice: abandon the journey or find another way forward.
His story has touched thousands online. Many are calling for support to help him continue his mission. It’s a reminder of how fragile even the most ambitious dreams can be, and how resilience is often tested in the unlikeliest of places.
