A Man on a Motorcycle with a Mission
Shortly before Christmas last year, Bharadwaj Dayala's motorcycle broke down in Atlanta. He was no ordinary motorcyclist, though, having come all the way from India, riding on his bike for much of the way. Just recently, after completing his lengthy road trip across the world, this hardy traveler returned to India, did a celebratory lap around the country, and then headed back to Vishakhapatnam (Vizag), his hometown on the East Coast. In Atlanta, while waiting for his bike to be fixed, Dayala got a chance to check out the local sights, including the Hindu Temple in Riverdale. At an African American dive called Barraza, which he entered by chance, Dayala was so entranced by the live music there that he went back the next day to give an impromptu rendition of Chayya Chayya, which was well received, winning him new friends.
Dayala, who had no corporate sponsorship for the 220 cc Hero-Honda bike (Karizma) he used, notes that apart from having a unique adventure, his trip's goal was to promote India around the world. He crossed five continents, covering over 31,000 miles by bike and about 12,500 miles by plane, and the entire journey took him seven months. For this bold explorer, a highlight of the tour was bungee jumping off a steep cliff in New Zealand, which he calls one of his favorite countries. Describing himself as "an accomplished trekker and rock climber, as well as an expert sailor," Dayala, who is also a paraglider, trained for the road trip by trekking alone in the Himalayas in the offseason. The holder of a black belt in karate, he teaches outdoor skills at the Bravehearts Youth Club in Vizag.
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