The dreams of Yogesh Alekari, a 33-year-old Indian adventurer and content creator, have hit an unexpected—and devastating—roadblock in the heart of England. On the morning of Thursday, August 28, 2025, Alekari’s round-the-world journey was abruptly halted in Nottingham, UK, when his KTM 390 Adventure motorbike—his home, his office, and his constant companion—was stolen along with nearly all his possessions. The theft, which occurred at Wollaton Park, has left Alekari stranded, heartbroken, and scrambling for support as authorities and the public rally to help him recover his stolen lifeline.
Alekari's journey began on May 1, 2025, when he set off from Mumbai with the ambitious goal of circumnavigating the globe as part of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) campaign. Over the course of nearly four months, he had already clocked more than 15,000 miles (24,140 kilometers), traversed 17 countries—including Iran, Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France—and inspired thousands through his social media accounts. His Instagram handle, @roaming_wheels, boasts over 180,000 followers, and his posts have chronicled not only the highs and lows of his trip but also the environmental message at the heart of his mission.
But all that progress came to a shuddering halt in Nottingham. As reported by BBC, Alekari had arrived in the city for a biker event and was planning to continue on to Oxford. He parked his distinctive black, white, and orange KTM 390 Adventure at Wollaton Park, locked it securely, and headed across the road for breakfast. "I locked the bike up and it was a busy area with children playing so I thought it seemed like a safe place. I crossed the road and went to have breakfast but within an hour, I came back and everything was just gone," Alekari recounted, his pain evident.
The shock of the theft was immediate and overwhelming. "I just broke down and started crying when I realised what had happened. 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 traveller. How can this happen? Suddenly I've lost everything," Alekari told BBC. The stolen bike was more than a vehicle; it was the vessel for his hopes, his memories, and his livelihood.
Adding insult to injury, the thieves made off with far more than just the bike. The storage boxes attached to his KTM contained his passport, MacBook laptop, a spare mobile phone, two cameras, cash, clothing, and other vital documents. The total value of the stolen items was estimated at more than £15,000—a staggering loss for any traveler, let alone one so far from home. Video footage captured by a park visitor showed four helmeted individuals, flanked by two moped scooters, hammering through heavy locks and riding away with the prized motorcycle. The theft was swift, brazen, and left Alekari with nothing but the clothes on his back.
"I called the police and it seemed so strange that they just sent me a crime number. I was told they would call me back, and I waited in the park, but they never did," Alekari said, expressing his frustration and disbelief at the initial response. The park, managed by Nottingham City Council, is typically seen as a safe, family-friendly space—a fact that made the incident all the more shocking to Alekari, who remarked, "People warned me about the UK, but I thought I was away from London and it would be OK in Nottingham. I never experienced any incident like this anywhere else."
Nottinghamshire Police have since ramped up their efforts, launching a public appeal and conducting local inquiries in the community. Police Constable Andy Smith acknowledged the distress caused, stating, "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 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." Sergeant Daniel Sheasby added, "We completely appreciate how much upset this will have caused to the bike owner but want to assure him the police are taking this seriously and are doing everything we can to try and return his property to him." Members of the public who may have witnessed the theft or noticed anything suspicious at Wollaton Park around the time of the incident are urged to contact the police, quoting incident number 213 of August 28, 2025.
The theft has not only derailed Alekari’s physical journey but also his digital one. As a full-time content creator, his ability to document and share his experiences with his vast online audience was abruptly cut off. The loss of his cameras, laptop, and phone means that the world can no longer follow along with his adventures in real time. Alekari has turned to his followers for help, posting appeals on social media and asking them to spread the word in hopes that someone, somewhere, might spot his stolen bike or provide a crucial lead. The outpouring of support from fans and fellow travelers has been heartening, but so far, the bike remains missing.
The Indian High Commission in London, which had recently honored Alekari during the 79th Independence Day celebrations for his remarkable journey, has stepped in to assist following the theft of his passport. Officials are working to help him navigate the bureaucratic hurdles now standing between him and any hope of continuing his trip. Alekari’s journey was scheduled to take him from Europe into Africa—riding from Spain to Morocco, down the western coast to Cape Town, then up to Kenya before returning to India. Now, with his plans in limbo, he is left weighing his options and working out his next steps.
Ironically, Alekari had passed through regions often perceived as more dangerous without incident. "I have travelled from India to here and I went through places like Iran and Turkey, which people said weren't safe—but I felt safe there," he reflected. The UK, where he expected safety, was where his journey was interrupted.
This is not the first time a content creator has faced such a setback in the UK. Earlier this year, Dutch motorcycling YouTuber Noraly Schoenmaker, known as 'Itchy Boots,' had her bike stolen in Swansea, Wales, though she was able to recover it thanks to a tracker. Alekari’s case, however, remains unresolved, with the fate of his bike—and his journey—uncertain.
For now, Alekari remains in Nottingham, supported by the kindness of strangers and the hope that his story will inspire someone to come forward with information. His round-the-world adventure, meant to promote environmental awareness and international friendship, has become a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Whether his beloved KTM 390 Adventure is found or not, Alekari’s determination and the solidarity shown by the global biking community are reminders that even in moments of loss, the journey is far from over.
