The Road Called, and We Answered

When I rolled up to the starting point on 12 August 2025, I knew this was going to be no ordinary ride. Twenty-three riders between 23 and 60 years old, had committed to one mission: to conquer 2,500 km across three states—Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha—over six days.

What followed was not just a test of endurance but an unforgettable journey of discipline, discovery and camaraderie.

Day 1 – 12th August | Chennai to Tuni (720 kms | Bike)

The thrum of 23 bikes at dawn in Chennai was electrifying. We set off in two groups, each led by a Lead, Mid-Sweep, and Tail, under the seasoned eye of one Captain guiding both packs. The discipline was military-like—rider positions intact, formations steady, and communication crisp.

Speeds were consistent—90 to 100 km/hr most of the time, touching 130 km/hr on clean stretches, and dropping to 70–80 km/hr whenever rain slicked the roads. Andhra Pradesh welcomed us with green corridors, silky tarmac, and the majestic Godavari River dancing along our route. By the time we reached Tuni after 720 kms, exhaustion was real, but so was the pride of covering such a massive distance on Day 1.

Day 2 – 13th August | Tuni to Barkul (430 kms | Bike)

This was a shorter stretch compared to Day 1, but not easier. Crossing into Odisha brought a different mood—potholes, cattle straying across highways, sudden weather swings from heat to headwinds, and an unpredictability that kept us alert. Yet, the discipline of the group shone through. Hydration and tea breaks were well-timed, and our laser-sharp morning briefing ensured no surprises caught us off guard. By evening, we rolled into Barkul, our base for the next three days.

Day 3 – 14th Aug | Barkul → Konark Sun Temple & Puri Jagannath Temple → Barkul (240 kms | Bus)

The bikes rested today while we traveled by bus to visit Konark’s Sun Temple and the divine Jagannath Temple at Puri. If the ride had tested our stamina, this day tested our awe. Standing before monuments that had withstood centuries, we felt small yet deeply connected. The evening debrief was light-hearted—filled with stories, laughter, and new friendships beginning to form.

Day 4 – 15th Aug | Barkul → Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves & Chilika Lake → Barkul (190 kms | Bike)

Independence Day had its own flavor this year. Riding out to Udaygiri Caves and the shimmering waters of Chilika Lake, the weather played games—sun one moment, drizzle the next, headwinds always lurking. Yet, the spirit never dropped. Riding formations were tight, safety uncompromised, and the landscapes rewarded us: Odisha revealed her raw, untamed charm.

Day 5 – 16th Aug | Barkul to Vijayawada (680 kms | Bike)

This was another big one. 680 kms in a single day. We left Barkul before sunrise and rode into varying terrains—potholes, undulating stretches, sudden showers, and bursts of dry heat. But Andhra Pradesh’s highways felt like a gift: smooth, well-laid roads lined with endless greenery and the Godavari flowing like a ribbon beside us. It was endurance at its peak, yet also pure bliss for the soul of a rider.

Day 6 – 17th Aug | Vijayawada to Chennai (475 kms | Bike)

The final stretch. Spirits were high, formations sharp, and every rider knew this was the homecoming ride. The weather, true to form, gave us one last mix—heat, humidity, and occasional drizzle. But nothing could dim the joy of rolling back into Chennai, engines humming low, hearts swelling with pride.

Epilogue – Beyond the Kilometers

At the end of six days, it wasn’t just 2,500 kms that we had conquered. It was an adventure that stitched together 23 riders across generations, turning strangers into brothers.

We carried back more than memories of roads, rivers, and monuments. We carried back lessons in discipline, endurance, humility, and joy. The laser-sharp briefings, timely debriefs, safe breaks, neat stays, and evenings of laughter and entertainment stitched the journey into something larger than a ride—it became a story.

The Chennai Renegades had proven once again that when passion meets precision, the road becomes more than a path—it becomes a legacy.

The engines may have fallen silent, but the echoes of this ride will stay with us for a lifetime.