Mypadu – Serene
(March 13/14th 2015)
When was the last time you saw the crystal blue of the sky, or the freshness of the green in the paddy fields, or the fading browns hanging from a tree, or the wisps of a cloud go by, or a thousand stars glitter in the night sky and one just passing by…this and more is what I had the good fortune to witness at Mypadu.
Called an endurance ride, perhaps it was a test of machine as much as man, with speeds in the 80’s to 110’s km/hr. We rode like there were demons on our tails and we rode to satiate a hunger to break away, a hunger that burns deep within most riders. The freedom to feel untethered in mind, body and spirit, the freedom to be and to experience and to live every moment to the fullest. Perhaps this is what an ace cricketer means when he says that while he is at the wicket and he sees the ball coming towards him he sees it spin for spin, for time moves a little slower. That perhaps is what we as riders experience every time that picture perfect scene rolls out with every turn of the wheel and is snapped and stored away in the corners of our mind to be pulled up and cherished when our bones do not support our ambitions or desires any longer.
A perfect location like Mypadu (full credit to Inniyan for a fantastic location choice) with its pristine almost virginal beach, make it a joy to the eye.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mypadu_Beach. In our modern worlds of high-tech air-conditioned necessities the myriad different colors that splash across the setting sun is all but lost. But here on this beach they come alive and the canvas of the sky allows for the pinks and blues and the purples all to co-exist in peaceful harmony creating mesmerizing patterns that hypnotize you and hold you in a spell. In the city seldom can we sit for a few minutes without checking our phones or being restless, but the captivating beauty of the colors splashed above you hold you and time loses its meaning. It is perhaps for these moments that we ride…and like greedy children we devoured it, and soaked it in…perhaps some color in our souls to refill.
With 27 bikes riding down from Bangalore and IBR being the epitome of discipline and camaraderie and this being my third ride with this particular group, it was all that I had hoped for and more. Strangers quickly became friends, bonds quickly strengthened and memories were born. The trip to Mypadu – about 450 km took us 11 hours with enough breaks, pit stops and a lot of catching up, some u-turns, some wrong turns thrown in for good measure and the trip back took us 10 hours despite one “necessary break down” (what’s a ride without atleast one breakdown…there has to be some use of the tools we lug all the way isn’t it and these by far make the best memories!).
The road from Bangalore to Mypadu is mostly straight highways and riding in large groups is a pleasure. About 15-20 kms away from the resort the road takes on a country flavor with paddy fields and water bodies on either side. If meandering roads are your thing then go all out on this stretch, it is a beautiful swaying rhythm that you quickly establish and totally enjoy. In your hurry to get there don’t miss the freshly minted green of the paddy leaves, their colors pop at you.
Perhaps the only resort on this particular beach is the one run by APTDC (Andhra Pradesh Tourism).
With about 80 rooms and IBR chapters from Hyderabad and Chennai joining us, the entire resort was booked by us. It was like a mini Rider Mania all over again and for the Bullet aficionado the congregation of these many bullets is just blissful to say the least. To hear the thump in every beating heart – both man and machine beating in unison. Perhaps this is why a bullet is just like no other machine.
Things that one can do at Mypadu, like the IBR boys showcased – flying kites (was a very popular activity by one bunch), dead turtle spotting – quite a few wash up at the shore and they are a sight to behold with humongous shells, star gazing – and if you are lucky like us you will finally see that shooting star that you can wish upon, or, just laze (by far the most popular activity) and just soak the general ambience in. That infact is something I would love to return to do…just savor and cherish the peace and the quiet that a place like that brings with it.
A few things you might want to keep in mind while visiting this beautiful but really hot place – do not forget the sunscreen, umbrella, cotton dresses, shorts, t’s, and lots of fluids. If you are on a road trip make sure to stay hydrated and to take advantage of every place that affords you a pitstop – cause there are not too many on this stretch. Else enjoy the ride/drive and take your time to soak it all in…it’s a beautiful place and deserves our full attention when we are there.
Shores 
