Trip continues for theft victim on gifted Nottingham motorbike

A content creator from India who had his motorbike stolen part-way through his round-the-world trip has set off on the rest of his journey on a gifted vehicle.

Yogesh Alekari feared his travels were over when his motorbike was stolen while parked at Wollaton Park in Nottingham on 28 August.

He returned to the park on Friday to start the second leg of his journey after being given a replacement bike by the Off Road Bike Centre in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.

Having travelled through 17 countries before his bike and belongings were stolen, the 33-year-old now plans to continue through 32 more to reach Cape Town, South Africa.

Mr Alekari set off on his original bike in April and travelled through the likes of Iran, Nepal, China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

He then travelled through Europe, documenting his journey on social media until his arrival in Nottingham.

Mr Alekari said he is “overwhelmed” at the response to his story.

“It’s a lovely moment for me because now I can restart my journey,” he said.

“I was so lost, but I met these lovely people and I can now continue.

“I’m a tourist, I just want to explore the beautiful scenery and meet the nice people and continue my journey.

“Now, the UK is more close to my heart. I’m really happy now.”

After Mr Alekari’s story made international headlines, he received messages offering help, clothing and a replacement motorbike.

The Off Road Bike Centre heard the news and decided to help.

Ben Ledwidge, managing director, said: “It’s not a gift you give out every day, but the story did tarnish the area with a bit of a bad name.

“This guy has travelled all this way through all these counties and hasn’t had a problem. He’s come to our local areas and his bike is stolen.

“So we thought rather than leave this bad stigma, let’s help the biking community and get him back on his way.”

Mr Alekari was given the keys to his new bike on 11 August but had to wait to get the right paperwork to drive it, as his licence and passport were stolen with his original bike.

After collecting the bike on Friday, Mr Alekari drove it for the first time to the Bhagwati Shakti Peeth Temple in New Basford, Nottingham, and then to the Hindu Temple on Carlton Road.

He then returned to Wollaton Park for his final send-off on the new bike.

On 8 September, Nottinghamshire Police said it located and arrested an 18-year-old man in Doncaster, who was detained on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and other offences. The man has since been bailed.

A firearm, an extendable baton and quantities of cannabis were also recovered from a property in Doncaster, police said, and the man was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Officers are still trying to trace the stolen motorbike.