Before we get inside of what happened during the Malabar Rampage, I would like to talk a little bit about what Rickshaw Challenge had brought the expectation of. People sign up for various reason, birthdays, stag party, after university get together, family outing, honeymoon, marriage proposal and most importantly to break the monotony.

This adventure hits the bucket list of many people around the word equated with bungee jumping and other such similar adventure. The adrenaline rush which you get when you drive in an unfamiliar vehicle in the toughest traffic in the world is not second to anything. It’s really hard to bring out the translation of the feeling in any language, what you experience. I am repeatedly trying to improvise my sense of translation of what the participants go through, it is a tough job as the filters of memory and expression would spew out only a part of what crude I would be getting. Excusing myself on my lack of language skills and ardent writing skills. This is an experience which no one can justify only other than you participate in it.

Day 1 – Love at first sight

April 6th was a Saturday and it is the first day of the Malabar Rampage 2019. The roasting summer has just started in all parts of India and people are warned in newspapers to avoid direct exposure to sun. As usual the organizers drive from Chennai to Trivandrum, check list of preparation, preparing a place for practice and finally the charged swiping machine, are all the mandatory stuff.

The registration was well on time, myself, Vishakh and Arun were ready with the merchandize and paper work. When we arrived at the reception of the base hotel, I could see some of the faces I saw in the profile page of road book, in the breakfast area. Many of them were staying for the past couple of days to avoid the last minute rush and jet lag.

Team 3, Flair Force One and Team 4, The Fast and Flairious were the first teams to register. The father and son duo of Dinish and Neel  has made their own teams of Team 3 and Team 4 respectively. Flair is their company name and they are into interiors in Britain. Dinesh an ever young person pulled up Shekhar, his Indian associate who lives in Varanasi and Neel teamed up with his relative Ram.

Team 8, The Chutney Chariot and Team 9, Cool Runnings were other two teams which followed for the registration. Rick wanted to throw a stag party and Rickshaw Challenge made it to fulfill the idea. But his father and father in law accompanied him with the teams. Now we need to think again was the stag party idea right? Rather I would call a family get together with only David is the outsider from the family.

Team 5, NYC -50 and Flaming 50 consisted of another friends group who wanted their 50^th year birthdays memorable. Ashley was a Bangalore based working person who brought his friends from America, Singapore and England to celebrate his 50^th birthday.

Team 7, Jamaican Me Crazy, had their reggae theme and consisted of father and daughter. Paul, who is working in China as an English teacher, brought his daughter for her birthday and graduation celebration.

Team 1, Adventure for Dementia, wanted to spread the awareness of Dementia. The team consisted of three members and in that Sarah is a Yoga teacher back in England, who had been to India before, teamed up and came for fun and purpose.

Last but not the least, Team 2, Breaking Wind had just Susanne during the registration as the rest of the members were all on their way. Incidentally Team 2 and Team 7 know each other as Paul from team 7 and Josette from Team 2 know each other from Vietnam where they were working in the same school. Thus the registration got over with a lengthy introduction of teams we shall enter in to the event.

Briefing was done in the bar at the base hotel. At 11 am we just introduced ourselves to each other and discussed how connected we need to be during the next 9 days an what everybody was expecting from the incredible country called India. Malabar Rampage is a 3 state rally starting from Kerala, we cross Karnataka and finish it in Goa.

Then the most important session of practice started at 2.30 pm. Before this, a small drama of cat and mouse game started. Team 8 and Team 9 were there in the training ground at 2 pm and they started to drive with the help of Chennai Garage support team. Without no time they became professionals just like a fish in the water.

Team 3 and Team 4 also had no issues to drive it. Same wise Team 5 and Team 6 also started well. The all women team of Team 1 and Team 2 faced more difficulty and they were honest that they were not expecting it to be tough. Starting the engine was the tough part. Many hands were blistered. Some of them got cycling glove and smartly escaped the first day blistering.

Final challenge for the day was to tank up and drive to the hotel. All so smooth, that one by one all the teams drove up to the base hotel and had a finish feeling for that, even though they were aware of the drive which they are making it to Goa.

Finally for the day, all the teams joined the welcome drink at the base hotel bar. Rest is too loud to hear and the final set of teams were literally begged to go to sleep. Thus an eventful day came to the end.

Day 2 – Shopping time in Trivandrum

In Trivandrum, Chennai Garage got a small parking place which they use for the preparation as well. The owner of the spot, Deepak suggested a plan to a mall in Trivandrum where they set a surprise for the teams. As usual our mini challenge was added with the extra task of driving to the mall and back. When they arrived in mall they had the surprise of media coverage.

The first team to call for support for the day was Team 7 and it was right before the Trivandrum railway station, in no time the problem was fixed by the support staff and rest is all just a cake walk to all the teams. Some of them even travelled to Kovallam (a beach, 25 km away from Trivandrum) and got back well before 6.30 pm.

This day works well as a practice day on road before they take the main traffic on Monday morning on the way to Alleppey.

Day 3 – Beach surprise at Varkala

The day broke with color and fun as many teams walked out with their costumes for the rally. It was such a colorful morning the feel of start became a celebration at the base hotel. With 9 teams and 23 members, Malabar rampage was flagged off from Trivandrum.

Our Destination for the day was Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, known for its backwaters and houseboats. The days challenge was to click pictures with the teams making chai. What fun the teams had doing such task. The conversation with the locals and how they were looked on when they asked that were all priceless. You need to live that movement to understand what I am talking about.

What was looking like an easy and uneventful day came to a sudden jolt. Town Alleppey was in festive mood for the upcoming Vishu in Kerala. So many roads were closed. We are just finding our way to the hotel. Team 2, Breaking Wind called me for the service and they told us that they are in some house. The owner of the house spoke to me and with the understanding of the spot my support team had to walk back to get the teams as all the roads were closed for procession.

Eventually, they spotted the Rickshaw and repaired it. It took more time to get back to the hotel as the roads were all blocked and the service team had to row through that crazy traffic. Thus the first day came to the end. The highlight of the day was the visit of the beach Varkala. Many teams had a solid one hour to stay there and some even swam in the waves. Getting wet and getting dried up in the rickshaw was like a trick to escape the crouching sun. You all need to understand what the salt sea would do to your body.

Day 4 – Relaxed and easy day to Fort Kochi

The day’s drive was just 80 km and most of the teams were ready to go check the boat house raid in the backwaters. The Challenge of the day was also related with boathouse. Team 8, The Chutney Chariot and Team 9, Cool Running, planned a different route through the backwaters to Kochi. Eventually they lost count on how many boat rides they had to do with the rickshaw. The trip turned amphibian hopping from land to water and getting back to land.

The base hotel in Kochi was also a soother. Fort Kochi had many more things to offer. The question on spices also spiced up the day. Some spa activity was happening and there was such a rush form all our teams. Eventually the spa consultant had tough time handling the bookings.

Day 5 – The most congested drive to Calicut

Today I planned no briefing as that would delay the process of handling the most challenging drive of the whole trip. Crossing the phase one is the whole stuff is all about. I hardly saw any team that day. They had to put use all their energy to navigate the crazy traffic. All the teams had their own fun with plenty of remote beaches and some ferry in the beginning and the finish. Such a great and tiring day came to a peaceful finish.

Day 6 – Crossing borders for Mangalore

We had 8 am briefing at the breakfast area and the surprise was an offline recommendation of Mullapzhangadu drive in beach. Drive a passenger was the day’s challenge.

The absolute normal day came to the support mode when I hit the same beach. I received a support call from Team 1, Adventure for Dementia. They had their clutch burnt out and it needed a replacement. Actually the first place they broke down had such crazy traffic that we could hardly do any work there. So second time they called up and the work was done at around 4 pm. Mangalore had 100 km from the spot and we know there is going to be a delay. The team 1 was worried a bit but the advice of enjoying the journey, rather than  being worried about the destination worked and they moved to the destination with motivation and support.

The excess heat brought rain and thunder at around 6.30 pm. Team 4 were the first people to report about that and later we found from google maps that a thick read strain is there for couple of kilometers around that. Only couple of teams finished the day within the stipulated 6.30 flag off time. The last team to sail in was Team 1 at around 7.30 pm with the support following them. Thus the longest drive came to end and we reached the next state Karnataka.

Day 7 – To the serenity of Murudeshwara

The briefing was planned for 8.30 am and the teams were informed about the Udupi town. The Day was filled with surprise beach pictures from Team 5 and Team 6. They also had their lunch at the mass feeding at the Udupi temple.

Another no problem day came to the sleepy town of Murudeshwara. The beach and the Shiva statue, is a popular background of numerous Rickshaw Challenge participants. The town went dry (no alcohol…) and that was broken by Team 3 and Team 4 with their purchase from Magalore. Together all had the dinner time. Plenty of stories and loads of fun. This was the night were I got the proper connections of the teams and their stories behind the theme.

The mustache challenge, made me popular as every team wanted a picture with me to finish of their challenge.

Day 8 – Go Go Goa

The final morning briefing was over, Team 8 and Team 9 and gave me couple of challenges to finish. I made a small effort and it was fun. Team 1, did not want to take any chance as the Kilometers were 230km to Panaj.  Rest of the teams formed convoy for some. Same wise, all teams turned towards Gokarna, Om beach. When I reached the spot in Gokarna couple of teams were already in the sea to swim.

The final day had no hurry as all the teams reached the hotel only after 5.30 pm. Stopped at most of the beaches and detours which all of them lost count. Thus the official 1000 km drive would have extended above 100 more km on detour and getting lost.

Such an amazing journey has to finish and the finish was also in a bar. All started at a bar came to close at the bar. Team 1 was awarded the Charity award as they raised more than 5000 pounds for the cause they support (Dementia). Team 4 took the bonkers, as they were the most entertaining team and they served the shots at the beginning to the shots to finish at Panaji bar. With the theme of Statue of Liberty, to their total dedication to the points score and the most important VSOP Brandy for the bribe made the Team 5, NYC-50 the champions.

The party began with the birthday celebration of 4 people, Ashely, Stephen, from the champion team, Adam from Team 8, The chutney chariot and the youngest participant Charlotte from Team 7, Jamaican Me Crazy. The party came to a finish at around 11 pm due to election restriction. But nothing could restrict our after party at the hotel, clearing all the minibar drink options.

Such a crazy journey came to a finish and let us all team up for the next rally from Goa to Mumbai the Deccan odyssey 2019. See you all then, bye.

Why did you decide to sign up for the Rickshaw Challenge Malabar Rampage 2019?

A friend who had been living in Goa mentioned it and it sounded a suitably ridiculous way to introduce myself to India. I’ve always wanted to do a rally and had been thinking of signing up to do The Adventurist’s ‘Mongol Rally’; after doing this however, those grandiose plans are on hold as it isn’t called a Challenge for no reason!

What did you expect and what did you get?

I expected the tuk tuk to be like driving a motorbike and to have plenty of time to meander around the roads enjoying the countryside and the people. Clearly, my rational and irrational mind need to have a chat because the reality was a cantankerous tin can that did not want to get into gear, needed biceps of steel to crank the engine into life and my team mates and I must have been pretty slow and faffy because we never felt we had time to meander and enjoy the countryside; every day was a race to make flag down with some hurried stop offs on the way to at least try and take part in the challenges. I still don’t know why we were so slow!

What was your scariest experience on the road?

Getting caught in the late afternoon rain that led into a storm that led into lightning hitting a tree that fell and blocked the road. This meant one very long traffic jam that meant we were late for flag down and had to drive in the dark with one insipid front light, one tiny little windscreen wiper that tried its best to give a clear view but without street lamps, it was frightening to drive along still with people running across the road dressed in dark clothing, cows still ambling about and the buses that still careered along with no concept of others being on the road too.

What was your most positive experience during the Malabar Rampage?

The people. We had a spectacular first day breakdown that meant standing around in the dark in some back alley (thank you google GPS for that helpful detour). The residents were initially bemused by our arrival, dressed as we were in our ‘Breaking Bad’ yellow jumpsuits but they soon came out with tool kits, phones and offers for us to sit inside their houses with a fan, have a drink and meet their families. Coming from London where even making eye contact on the tube is a faux pas, this was a refreshing change and a lovely one too.

How many breakdowns did you have and what did you learn about fixing a rickshaw?

I think our tuk tuk was broken from day one (and I’m not just saying that to excuse our bad driving) but the clutch was incredibly difficult to use on the first day and we broke down countless times – usually in the middle of a busy junction. Eventually it was a local man who came to our rescue and pointed out our clutch needed fixing. The mechanics from the Rickshaw Challenge were called out and they fixed it and all was well until we came across a festival in Alleppey which meant GPS took us on a weird and wonderful back alley detour that involved paths of sand – which the engine took a dislike to and then conked out. I learned absolutely nothing about fixing a rickshaw except it would appear you can take the odd screw from random parts of it in order to fix certain things…like the clutch. When it comes to the engine having a hissy fit – game over. It’s time to call for help!

Describe India in one word or sentence, which doesn’t include coconut or coconut tree!

Sensory. All five senses enjoy India – whether it is smelling spices in the air (or petrol), seeing the colourful silks and beautiful landscapes, touching the food on your plate (no cutlery in many places), hearing the strains of that glorified lawnmower you’re driving and tasting what is essentially an Indian takeaway twice a day every day.

What is your most “only in India” experience?

We captured a wonderful moment whereby we were coasting along NH66 with the sounds of Kylie and Jason warbling ‘Especially for You’ when we came across a cow walking up ahead. Now, I don’t know whether it was the love song playing at the time or delirium from spending so many hours cooped up in that sweatbox but we all thought the back end of the cow had a certain sensual swagger about it which seemed fitting with the song. Maybe you had to be there. Maybe we should have drunk more water that day.

Do you have any recommendations, any good advice for future participants?

Pack lots of those horrible ‘traveller trousers’ (you know the type all the Gap Yar students wear) and cotton tops. You will SWEAT and then SWEAT SOME MORE. Also, pack gloves as those sweaty hands of yours will struggle to grip the handlebars, patience (maybe xanax?) and ensure you take along team mates whom you love greatly, can be honest with and with whom there are no cracks in your relationship. This is an incredible experience – you will learn a lot about yourself and others, see and do wonderful things but it is challenging (or maybe that was just us) and if you are tired and can’t get the tuk tuk to start on a hill, you need people around you who will stay calm and be supportive – not scream at the gods for giving you the foolish idea that this was a good way to spend a week. Because I didn’t do that. No siree.

Day 13

Only a couple of days before the Mumbai Xpress 2017 comes to the finish. The longest rally in our calendar never fails to excite the participants more than all the other rallies. It’s 14 days through 4 states and it goes from the west to the east coast. The day in Bangalore started overcast. The judging of the makeover challenge kept the competitive spirits of the participants high. First we had the school visit, where also the judging was to take place. The convoy to the school was blocked by the Bangalore police for a brief time. They wanted to check the Chennai Garage Service Van papers before they allowed us to continue. The teams were taking pictures and the ongoing heavy traffic was just crazy and the local people were all with their cameras. This had beaten the publicity in the previous day’s newspapers.
 

A very warm welcome

 
Finally after a big huff and puff we reached the school. The Round table school in Bangalore gave the teams a traditional welcome and the school band performed the national anthem of India. Then the school assembly dispersed and the teams visited the school classes and had a good time. Three upper grade class girls were volunteered to judge the makeover. The obvious choice was Team 3 Just in time. After this, it was a rather uneventful day. The highway driving was like a cruise, as all the teams had seen the tougher terrain of mountain roads.
 

The guests of honor in the front row

 
I had no calls in-between for service and all of the teams made it to the hotel around 4.30 pm.  Team 12 The Rickshaw Lady and Team 14 Spider Flamingos, skipped the school and drove straight to the hotel and they reached the hotel at 12.30 am.
I stopped in Ambur for the Briyani and I saw a couple of teams there. As the state has ruled that there are no bars allowed within 500 mt of the highway, the base hotel lost its bar license. But that is not the end for party, the innovative teams went and bought a quantity of beers for the night. The teams had a great time. Team 3 Just in Time went to a local circus to witness what an Indian circus looks like. We’ll continue with the stories of the final day and till then its bye.
 

On the road

Day 14

All that begins well will end well. Living up to those legendary words, the Mumbai Xpress 2017 has come to the final day. The overcast morning in Vellore  was not a dampener.  After a quite long briefing, being the last day, the Round Table India members arrived at the hotel around 8.30 am.  Then it’s convoying to the project visit. The place was an automobile accessory unit supported by Round table. They employ disabled and destitute women. Due to an economic meltdown, the unit was on casual leave. It was just the project, without the workers there. A naughty trick was played on the parking place of the project visit. Secretly some teams took the spark plug of all the rickshaws parked there. When the others came out from the project and wanted to continue all got starting issues, except Team 4 9 Inch Males, Team 6 Desert Gypsies and Team 7 Not Fast, Not Furious.  Now you probably understand who did it…
 

Still unsuspecting…

 
With this fun note the day started and I had no calls, thanks to the Chennai Garage team, to make it a minimum break down Mumbai Xpress so far. The schedule was perfectly maintained and the schools finish was perfect for the beautiful rally.  It’s award time there and Team 3 Just in Time was judged the Champions. Charity went to Team 5 Oh Yeahh!, Bonkers went to Team 7 Not Fast, Not Furious. The award evening was organized by the Round Table and I made Sandeep the chief guest and the activity challenge of the day of buying a silk towel to Chief Guest was given to him. The final drive to the hotel was braved by the teams by their own and it was smooth in spite of heavy traffic in Chennai.
 

Congrats to the winners of the Mumbai Xpress 2017!

 
Then we moved on to the last segment of the event, the party. The Elements Hostel terrace ‘Muthu mess’ has hosted several memorable parties and it lived up to its name. I just thanked the Chennai Garage staff and gave them mementos distributed by the teams. A surprise element to end the note was a romantic proposal of Team 13 Daft Trunk Garage. Rito, one of the friendliest persons on the trip, proposed to his partner in Rickshaw Challenge, Gudi. The words are still in my years, “If we could survive this challenge, we probably survive the life challenge and would you be my love?” As the team name is inspired by the Daft Punks band and their, theme song is “Getting Lucky”.
 

A very special occasion!

 
With such a lovely note I would like to wind up the whole rally with a great wave. Thank you guys for following this and kindly go and press your register button on Rickshaw Challenge page.
 

Day11

“Do something stupid and take a picture of it I”

 
The first school visit in the rally was planned for the day. The Manglore day was a bright start. Being a long distance, teams were well informed and we did an early briefing at 7.45 am. Team 12 Rickshaw Lady and Team 14 Spider Flamingo wanted to start early and they skipped the school visit. The other teams assembled for the school and we arrived there on time. The day is the Independence Day for India, so the school had planned for flag hoisting. The Round table India’s Manglore chapter arranged the event for us. After assembling in the school, the teams were introduced to the project by the Round Tablers. Then we moved on to hoisting the flag and the ceremony was witnessed by the teams. By 9 am all got over and 10 to 15 minutes were taken for Photo session. After photo session all the teams were on the way.
 

“Do something stupid and take a picture of it II”

 
By routine I had my breakfast and kept moving towards the next destination.  Team 4 9 Inch Males gave the first service call for the day, after two hours of drive. The service team attended them and found out that they had burnt the piston of the engine. It was fixed in 30 minutes and the team could get back on road. When I had lunch in Medikeri, I met Team 1 Axles of Ignorance and team 11 at the lunch place. After that, there was absolutely no call for the day.
 

“Do something stupid and take a picture of it III”

 
The final approach to Mysore had pouring rain and the teams had to drive slowly because of the visibility. Finally all the teams arrived at the hotel before 7 pm, except Team 12 The Rickshaw Lady and Team 14 Spider Flamingo. There were plenty of fun moments on the road and as usual Team 1 Axles of Ignorance had their part this day as well. Their handle bar was painted gold when they had parked it in the hotel for lunch.
 

Extra points for spotting an elephant

 
Team 6  Desert Gypsies had a lucky moment when they crossed an elephant and all the other teams were jealous of that.
Team 12 The Rickshaw Lady and Team 14 Spider Flamingo went the wrong way and entered another state called Kerala. Eventually they made it to the hotel around 8pm. The day witnessed many locals wanting photos with the teams as they were all high on Independence Day Celebration. The Rickshaw Challenge never had any dull movements and it lived up to the participant’s expectation.
 

Day 12

A great welcome

 
Another school visit in Mysore was on the agenda for the day. A Round Table member from Mysore joined us in the hotel lobby, 15 minutes before the start of our briefing. After a quick briefing we started in convoy to the school at around 8.15 am. There was a band to welcome the participants in the school. The school arranged a dance and we had some interaction time with the kids. Teams introduced themselves to the kids and spoke a few words on how they feel about India. After a request from the kids, participants sang and even danced for a song. It was a warm and happy interaction and all teams enjoyed the visit.
 

First the talking…

 
It is an easy day drive as the distance is less than 150 km. There was absolutely no service call for the day and the Bangalore traffic was the only challenge for all the teams. Some of the teams stayed in Mysore for the morning session as they visited the palace. All the teams arrived at the hotel before the flag off time, except 3 teams. Team 11 Sgt Pepper’s Submarine, Team 12  The Rickshaw Lady and Team 14 Spider Flamingo stuck together from the beginning of the day and they reached the hotel at 8.15 pm. 10 km for 1 hour was the only information they could pass on after they reached the base hotel.
 

… then the dancing!

 
The day came to end with Banglore Red FM taking interviews with the participants. All ended well and preparation for the makeover challenge has been finished by some teams. As there was some sudden pour of rain, some of the teams wanted some time in the morning before they start. With a long distance to go, teams are prepared to face it. See you tomorrow, until then bye.
 

Scores, scores, scores!

 

We have a new leader with Team 13 Daft Trunk Garage, but they are very closely followed by Team 1 Axles of Ignorance and Team 5 Oh Yeaahh. There are still some days to drive and some challenges to do, so nothing is decided yet!
 

Day 9

It was raining when we started the day in Goa. By 8.15 am we had our briefing for the day. Crossing border has been highlighted and there were several questions about alcohol in the bags – not always a legal thing in India. Finally all was answered and the teams were ready to go. Team 9 croissant Baguette had an issue with the police when they travelled towards Goa. The police man checked all the documents and he said there were still some papers missing. Finally they found out that the paper he is asking for is a currency paper. Rs.500 had finally set them free.
 

Always a good advice!

On the rest day sadly Team 10 Swole Team 6 announced me that they are quitting the challenge to get back to Thailand to be with their missing friend. So on the morning everyone gave them a hug to see them off.  Team 11 Sgt. Pepper’s Submarine, had Halla Mixa, who was driving all alone so far and she had developed a stress pain in her left hand through handling the clutch. So in the morning Team 2 3 Amigos, which has three members, agreed to help her by swapping Craig from their team.
The day was eventful, as I had three service calls. First one came right after we crossed Margoa around 10 am. Team 14 had their Silencer cut off and they were 20 km away from service team. It was attended and before they could start I already got a new call from Team 4 9 Inch Males. They also had the same issue and they stopped after crossing the border. It was around 12 am when the team was cleared and back on road. Final call was from 13 and they got themselves fixed with local help before the service team could get them.
 

Elaborate picture posing

I visited the detour place Gokarna to see whether any teams had been there as suggested in the Day sheet. I could not see any teams there. Finally when I arrived at the base hotel almost 7 teams made it to the hotel. The final team to arrive was Team 12 The Rickshaw Lady at 6.45 pm. Of course all the teams started to go to the place where beers were served and it was a quiet ending in the small town of Murudeshwara. Looking forwarded to another day!
 

Day 10

Murudeshwara start was a bright one and to cross the parking lot of the temple was the only challenge in the morning. Teams were briefed early and all started early. After sending all the teams I had breakfast with the Chennai Garage team and moved towards Batkal. The first call was from Team 7 and there was a carburetor block problem for them. It was sorted out quickly and I moved from there.
In an hour I had another call from Team 13 and the mechanic team could reach them in an hour. The issue was also a carburetor block due to excess oil. Rest of the day was event free and being a sort day all the teams reached the base hotel in Mangalore well on time.
 

Rickshaw thieves at work

They day’s challenge in Udupi had some funny movements. As it is Krishna Jayanthi day in Udupi, the crowd was out of proportion and there was long queue to the temple. So the teams were looking at it from outside and left. Team 1 Axel of Ignorance was also there and suddenly they found the vehicle missing. But that was an act by some of the mischievous teams to hide it from them. Finally all had good laugh at it over the drinks in the evening.
More fun and more stories will continue, until then bye!

Scores, scores, scores!

 
For the competitive ones, here is the latest ranking of the Rickshaw Challenge Mumbai Xpress 2017!  Team 12 The Rickshaw Lady took over the first place, closely followed by Team one Axles if Ignorance and Team 5 Oh Yeah. But nothing is decided yet, everything can happen during the Mumbai Xpress!
 

 
 

Day 6

It’s again an overcast morning and it drizzling every now and then. Teams started dropping their bags at 7.30 am and took their Breakfast in the base hotel
Warned after the briefing, the teams were prepared to take the longest and toughest drive during the Mumbai Xpress: more than 230 km to the coastal town of Rathnagiri. Once they had crossed Mahabaleshwar the early morning fog slowed all the vehicles down to below 15 km/h speed. Hazzard light and head lights were glowing on all the vehicles plying on the road.
 

A bit of fog ain’t gonna stop nobody!

I started immediately, along with all the teams and stopped for breakfast. Then I met Team 3 Just in Time and Team 10 Swole Team 6 at a waterfall. It’s a stunning view and teams were praising Maharastra for its scenic appearance and beautiful mountains. After that it is a pretty straight forward drive and I met all the teams on the way. Team 14 were talking to a police man and they were seems to be in up mood as they were finishing the challenge of the day.
 

Chivalry is not dead!

When I stopped for lunch I could see some more teams going past us. Team 2 3 Amigos was leading the pack to the destination. I did not get any service call throughout the day.  But after teams started checking in I heard that Team 8 Mayo4Sam had a small issue and they quickly set that right by a local mechanic.
 

Giving some scared locals a ride

All the teams were just on time except Team 7  Not Fast, Not Furious and team 12 Rickshaw Lady. Team 12, the lone traveler from Australia, lost her way and to find it back it took her time. Even though she lost time, she found a companion in Team 7 and they drove  to the destination together. It was almost 8 pm when they arrived at the base hotel.
Then it is all beer and stories. As the hotel had no bar, the teams made arrangements by driving into town to get beers well before 6pm. I think by now they all got along well and everybody understands the other’s need.  It’s a superb team building event.
 

Day 7 & 8

It is a bright start from Rathnagiri. I met all the teams on the way and waved passing them. The Goan state roads are such a reliefing sight compared to the battered Maharastrian roads. I reached the hotel around 4.30 p.m. One by one all the teams checked in the hotel after 5 pm. As the challenge was given in the old Goa, most of them visited the place and came back. The hotel was nice and all were relaxing and got ready for the rest day.
 

Taking the “Cow Picture Challenge” to a new level

Goan night is a party night. Team 7 Vollette Kels had birthday the next day and it was party in Baga where she got her birthday bash.
On the 8 th day teams rested thoroughly and some of them had their own agenda on visiting places and trying new food style. When I went to the hotel that day for a brief time, they showed me how they had partied the previous night. What happens in Goa stays in Goa. Team 10 Swole Team 6, who had a team member left from the start due to visa issue, decided to discontinue from the challenge and they announced it to me. Bye Bye Peter and Sebastian, amazing guys who missed their friend Bryan badly. Hope we shall see you in another challenge. It’s Bye from me form Goa.
 

Our teams are slowly getting used to live on the road in a rickshaw, but that doesn’t mean that it gets any easier! Here is Princely’s account from day 4 and 5 of the Rickshaw Challenge Mumbai Xpress 2017!

Day 4

In the morning of Alibag the over cast climate and rain challenged the participants just like the Mumbai start. Rain is a challenge of the Mumbai Xpress, but it also gives the green feeling to all the pictures. The day started with the briefing and all the teams finished breakfast before it except a few. The first team to leave the hotel would be around 8.30 am. I followed a few teams to have a good pictures of the teams on road and I was not disappointed.
The day had a call form Team 8 – Mayo4Sam as they had broken down near Lonavala. The service team was close by and they fixed them pretty quickly. But that did not happen before a local went all out to help them.

Team Mayo4Sam and their helpful angel

 
When I closed in to Pune I saw Team 13 Daft Trunk Garage parked and I went there to find out what’s happening. They had ran out of petrol and Rito Aydillo (team member) had went to get petrol with local help. In no time he came back with 6 bottles of one litter petrol and few sachets of oil. We took pictures of happy faces who helped them with lot of care and love.
Finally before the day closed, Team 14 Spider Flamingo came up with a fun story: Four teams drove the wrong direction on the Express highway. Sebastian of Team 11 was acting as a local construction worker who waved the oncoming vehicles to guard them to safety. It was hilariously funny to see the act.
A serious error on the day sheet about the base hotel was the highlight of the day. Lucky that the other Citrus Hotel which we had booked is close to the address mentioned in the sheet. The Facebook rickshaw hub brought many funny signs from the teams and I really enjoyed them looking at them all.
 

What kind of market?

Day 5

For the start in Pune the morning was bright and sunny. The base hotel was a new choice and the hotel was well before the city. The Challenges of the day are mostly from the city of Pune.
I moved to the first challenge place of the day, Aga Khan Palace. When I visited the place it was around 6 teams which had already assembled there. It took a while to go through the palace and look around. I had breakfast in the palace canteen and I started from there to Mahableshwar. Team 7 had breakfast there and they seemed to be staying in the place. I left the place before them. Then it was the rush hour in city that I had to navigate. I thought to myself how difficult it would have been to the challengers to get out of Pune.

Team Just in Time and the famous chai challenge!

Rest of the day I did not receive call from any other teams. Team 4 and Team 6 were the first teams to arrive in the base hotel in Mahabaleshwar.  Rest of the teams fell in place before the stipulated time except two teams.  Team 5 ‘oh Yeahh!!’ ran out of petrol just before 8 km from the base hotel. We were exchanging the position of their place to find them through face book and the service team was sent to attend them. Finally when the team arrived at the hotel, I came to know that the GPS had showed them the wrong way and further delayed them in arriving at the destiny.
 

It can happen to the best of us

 
Team 12 Rickshaw Lady had some cash issues in the beginning and she had to go to the bank to sort it out. So she had a delayed start and in the finish she reached Team 5 before the service team could reach them and gave some spare petrol. Thus the bonding and friendship during the Rickshaw Challenge has started. The teams shared their stories later with beers and dinner. It was such a blast of sound, participants laughing and making huge noise – probably the effect of their drinks. Looking forward to the new day and new start. Until then it is bye!

Day 8

Restday – Finally! Neleshwara, is a small fishing hamlet at the cost of Kerala. The resort we stayed in had a village concept and the rooms were in cottage style. The queue for the spa was long, since most teams were dying for a back therapy after what their back bones had gone through the last 7 days. David, an international renowned hair dresser, did hairdressing for the hotel staff for free. A great habit he also has on the streets of London streets,  just for the good of it.

Day 9

The drive to Calicut started around 9.30 am from the base hotel. The teams, with plenty of new energy, were energetic and enthusiastic to face the road again. During the briefing they were warned about the Kerala driving style – narrow roads and impatient drivers in Kerala were about to surprise the teams.

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

The Plan was to drive to Kanyakumari which is 90 km from Trivandrum and get back to Trivandrum by taxi. The plan went without any problem, till Team 1 broke down  8 km before the finish. The teams offered prayer at the trinity of Indian Ocean, Arabic Ocean and Bay of Bengal. We finally we went back to Trivandrum at 8.30 pm and had the finish ceremony and award distribution.

Day 1

The pickup time was set for 10 am and I was there in the lobby by 9.30 am. to check out the proceedings. Ravin walked in and said that there is a delay in flight. So by the time the group arrived, it was 1.30 pm already. Jet lag, hunger , fatigue etc., are the challenges which had already bogged them down and I had stepped aside to go with the flow. We had organized practice at 2.30 pm. So it was pretty much landing, straight for food (lunch) and then registration. Briefing was done during the registration and all were pushed to the practice. Again we had committed to a press meet at 5.30 pm and there was hardly 2 hours of practice. The press meet was arranged in a hall in Sun n Sand and there was more than 50 people form press to cover the meet.
At around 6.30 Vivek Oberoi (a famous Bollywood star) walked inside the press conference hall with flash and video and so many noises. It took 15 minutes it everything settled down again. Ravin, had a good command on the event and dealt with it beautifully. First Ravin explained what the programme is about, then he passed the mike to Davide (an award winning hair dresser), then to Rupa and then it was Ravinol (award winning filmmaker) who explained a bit more about them and why they are here.

Day 2

The Mini Challenge Day is the compensation day to have another briefing and practice. Finally I had time to prepare the teams for the tough things they’ll have to get through. Luckily there were only a couple of people who still had to improve their rickshaw driving skills after this day, otherwise the rest of them did fantastically well and surprised me.

Day 3

When I vacated the place where we stayed and we made my way to the Sun n Sand Hotel, we could see the crowd, which was in Juhu beach, coming out. It was just waves of people and navigating through them became really tough. Some of the participants, who were aware of the crowd, shared their concern of getting out. I told them instead of waiting, let’s just navigate out. But to everybody’s surprise, once flagged off from the hotel, there was literally no one on the road.

Day 4

Finding the right time is not the rule for FFLV challenge. Literally everyone need to be pulled out and chased for the drive. Either they are tired or everyone is having their own plans. To my surprise the road looked horribly beaten by the monsoon. At around 6.30 I noticed two teams had 60 km to push to the hotel. It was a graceful day and we reached the hotel around 8.30 pm.
 

Day 5

The road to Goa was thought to be a relatively easy drive. In mid-point I took time to see if all are doing fine and waited to let all teams pass to the front to have an assessment. There were a couple of breakdowns due to bad fuel and other issues. Otherwise it was a fine run, but still teams had long distance to cover at 6 pm. I had no one to drag along and everyone found their way to hotel except team 2. They were near the hotel but going round and round instead of finding the hotel. Eventually I had to locate them and lead them to the hotel. Many participants took on the streets of Goa that night to feel the place. Even the short stay in Goa made them all happy.
 

Day 6

The hotel, which we had booked for the day was not at the place where we thought it to be.Supposedly close to Bhatkal it was 50 km out of town. Eventually the teams had to drive over 280 km and more for the second day apart from the Alibaug to Ratnagiri day.

Day 7