TVS Motor 02 Dec 2020

What’s the most scenic ride you’ve ever been.

South chapter 2019 Ooty, also known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, is located in the Nilgiris - one of the oldest mountain ranges, located at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Its mesmerising beauty is as fresh in our memories as its freshly produced coffee. In the month of July, 2019, we embarked on a journey to the Queen of the Hills with 150 riders from Apache Owners Groups. The riders from fifteen South Indian cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore, Kodaikanal, Mysore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai and Tirupati - all came together to get the hills ringing with the echoes of their exhausts. The Apache Owner’s Groups from all across South India made their way to the picturesque hills of Ooty and set up camp. The weather only added to the picturesque environment, which got the riders’ hearts revving for adventure. After a quick lunch, the riders were fuelled up and so were the machines, following which they set about exploring the quaint hill station. As the sun set, the revs toned down and the beat picked up. The DJ set the mood for some bonding over bikes, and the group bonded over competitive games such as an obstacle race, a hill climb, and archery. The cool temperatures were perfect for an early morning ride, and that’s exactly what we did after a hearty breakfast. Adventure was at its most beautiful in the 3 hour ride in the hills of Kotagiri and Coonoor, making the early call time worth it. The riders were so spellbound that, for once, we even slowed down to take in the view. Once the riders returned to the campsite, we had a pleasant surprise in store for them – a dirt race and slow race to test their skills. After another evening of live music, food, games, and unwinding, the group enjoyed some shut-eye after a long day of taking in the sights. After a quick breakfast, one final ride through the hills beckoned - and our riders did just that. Before parting ways to their respective homes, the riders shared their experiences regarding this epic journey. Though their paths home may be different, the bond that unites them is the same.