Jennifer – Rickshaw Challenge

The Top 10 Craziest Things to Happen on the Rickshaw Challenge

Jennifer — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 16:30:41 +0000

The GamingZion Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015 was a fiesta of non-stop crazy, but to break things down into a more distilled form of craziness here are our top 10 nutty moments from this year’s event.
10. Driving India in wacky costumes

From Santa Claus to superheroes, from pirates to the Super Mario Brothers, we had some amazing, show stopping costumes from our teams on the last Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run. The Bob Billies had a variety of wacky costumes, kicking off as superheroes Hulk and Superman, transforming into Australian cricketers and 80s superstars. Germans Bavarian Barbarians sported lederhosen in the boiling heat coupled with Bayern Munchen T-shirts. Scots the Kilted Ring Sting wore their national garment of the iconic kilt. We also had ducks and pirates thrown into the mix. Many of the locals didn’t know what hit them, when our caped crusaders rode into small Indian towns on their rickshaws.
9. Bus breaking down on New Year’s Eve
After the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, an hour or so after it turned 2015, we took two buses back to our hotel from the main party. However, for one of the buses, the life was short lived, and gave out only minutes after leaving. The participants got out, and within minutes a swarm of mosquitos attacked, and the bus driver abandoned ship. Rob from the Bob Billies took it into his own hands to try to fix the bus himself, but after failing to manage this ambitious task, some continued on walking, others hopped in rickshaws or cabs, and others even commandeered the other bus that had not broken down.

8. Crazy after parties

After party in Trivandrum – photo by Nick Michell from the Kilted Ring Sting.

If there is a recurring them on the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015, it’s the insane after parties hosted by the participants. The notorious Bob Billies became the unofficial host to wrestling matches, crazy smashed hotel rooms (which they put right by tipping the cleaning ladies very generously to put it all back together good as new) and naked passed out Aussies in the shower.

7. Fortune Telling Parrot
Claire from the Flying Kiwis had a rather unusual esoteric experience, when she found a roadside parrot who told her fortune. Not quite the standard experience you’d expect, even for India, but there are not many people who got their fortunes told by a brightly coloured talking bird. Unfortunately, this parrot was all doom and gloom, and proceeded to predict terrible fortunes for Claire… let’s hope the bird is just another phoney.
6. The kidnapped trophy

Anonymous submission for photo of the day…

Another Aussie group Team Apathy decided to declare themselves the winner of the GamingZion Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015 and had their own trophy made, along with a bunch of stickers they spammed the other rickshaws with. But the others weren’t a fan of Team Apathy’s fake trophy, so a group of them conspired to kidnap the trophy in Kanyakumari, leaving anonymous photo submissions with clues as to the whereabouts of the prized item. Eventually, they got their own trophy back once the Rickshaw Challenge was over.

5. A kangaroo fixing a rickshaw

Only on the Rickshaw Challenge will you see a kangaroo fixing a tuk-tuk!

On the smooth road to Tuticorin, the engine of the Bob Billies’ rickshaw gave out. Travelling with fellow Australians Mighty Mouse and the Triangle, Toby, dressed in a complete kangaroo suit, came to their rescue and tried to fix up the damaged rickshaw in the baking hot sun, while in full marsupial garb. Hats off to Tobias for his dedication to the cause.
4. Cramming 8-9 people into one rickshaw
Sometimes on the road in India you’ll see whole families, Indian sized families, stuffed into one tiny three-wheeler. Our participants were so inspired by this defiance in the laws of physics that they decided to try it out with the locals for themselves to see how many people can fit in their rickshaw. One team hit 9, another hit 8, getting into the Indian spirit we see.

3. Mugged by monkeys

“Guys! Did we turn into monkeys after that dip in the waterfall?” photo by Swa Rath from Team Shawmackers.

On the way to Kanyakumari, we paid a visit up into the Western Ghats, but it wasn’t the mountain roads that posed a danger, but little furry primates out to steal anything you had. Whether it’s a bag of bananas, attacking a crotch for hidden crisps or simply stealing bottles of Fantas and toilet paper out of the rickshaw. I used to think monkeys were cute, and they still are, but now I’m cautious around them.
2. Tipping a rickshaw while changing a song on the iPod.

“Another rolled over Tuk Tuk” – photo by Alex Emslie from team Dukes of the Green.

Team Dukes of the Green gained an infamous reputation while on the road and won the award for being one of the worst teams ever to have participated on the Rickshaw Challenge. One of their classic moments was when Piers was driving the tuk-tuk, he had one hand on the clutch and the other on his iPod to change songs, which ran their rickshaw off the road, capsizing it once again and losing yet another windscreen. This made their third crash. Urban legend has it that Piers was taking a selfie while driving, but he denies all accusations.

1. Colliding with a biker

When young Harry took control of the Dukes of the Green rickshaw the day before the third crash, he learned the Indian road is a wilderness the hard way. Despite driving on the correct side of the road, Harry and his rickshaw came face to face with a motorcyclist who came straight at him, and the two vehicles collided. The rickshaw capsized and the windscreen broke. One of the German members of the Bavarian Barbarians came to his aid, but fortunately none of the participants were hurt beyond shocked. The motorcyclist suffered more, but was OK in the end. A narrow escape for the British teenagers though.

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on the next Rickshaw Challenge. Then get a team together and lets see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

Costumes & Three Wheels: The Mumbai Xpress 2015 Begins

Jennifer — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 13:15:22 +0000

One of the toughest three-wheeled adventures in the Travel Scientists’ repertoire, the Mumbai Xpress is an ambitious feet from Mumbai to Chennai, a journey that traverses most of South India and the better part of 2000km – all during the infamous monsoon season. As our nutty teams kick off from India’s largest metropolis, are they ready for this challenge of endurance?

Photo by Ashleigh Grant from Team Smurf.

Day 1: Meeting the Rickshaws

We started things off on an easy note for day 1, getting the paperwork and registration out of the way before introducing the teams to their rickshaws and getting them to practice a bit on their three-wheeled steeds.
Registration started at 9am, and you would have thought people would have leapt out of bed for the chance to do some paperwork, but only 3 teams were uber motivated to sign up so early. The others made it down at a leisurely 11am. Once everyone had given their deposits and signed their souls… er we mean signed the terms and agreements, everybody was led into the Royal Hall in the hotel for a pep talk from the Head Scientist, Aravind Bremanandam, to get everyone in the mood.
Once pepped, then it was time to face the beasts, and our plucky teams made their way over to the Women’s University Campus for some rickshaw driving lessons and general how-not-to-kill-yourself-in-India while driving preparation. One team played hooky though, and that was the Monsoon Riders, although they had a valid excuse in that they were not even in India due to a flight muck-up, but they got the chance to catch up on their training the day after.
After the practice, the teams had the chance to tackle the Mumbai traffic themselves as they had to take the rickshaws back to the hotel. A couple of teams broke down along the way, team Nan of Your Business had flat tyres and needed to change the wheels, but get extra brownie points for managing to do it themselves. Off course there is nothing like Mumbai traffic to inspire one to drink, so everyone went up for the welcome party at Gringo Bar to kick start the fun! The event was also double special, since Neil from team Little Laia and the Blues Brothers, celebrated his birthday.

Day 2: Exploring Mumbai

Photo by Rhys O’Connor from team Curry Struck.

The teams had the chance to explore the city at their own pace, and hone their rickshaw driving skills before hitting the road. The night before turned into a heavy, late night affair, where our rickshaw racers commandeered the swimming pool at 2am during the long party night. Since hangovers were abundant the morning after, most took it easy on day 2 and chose to hit the hay early in preparation for day one on the road.

Day 3: Mumbai to Alibag

Photo by Min Chai from team N2 Extreme TukTuk.

Day one on the road, and the energy was high. Most of the participants came in elaborate and funny costumes ready to tackle the open road with their three-wheeled beast. Sputtering out of the hotel, the main challenge of the day was to get out of Mumbai unscathed. While the traffic was no less unforgiving than normal, the teams reached Alibag before the luggage truck! However, India being India, the unexpected will always happen, and it seems that Hotel Shyadri wanted to put 5 teams in their new property as guinea pigs. Fortunately, Rickshaw Challengers tend to be good sports, and no one complained about the sudden change, and in fact enjoyed the new place and new lawn. Only a couple of breakdowns to report, but again, we have quite a handy team, since they managed to fix their rickshaws by themselves.

Day 4: Alibag to Pune

Photo by Jon McGivern from team The Indians.

Perhaps it was because of the traffic hell in Mumbai that inspired everyone to get up at dawn and go have breakfast at 7:30am, since today’s destination was Pune, Maharashtra’s second largest city – and famous for its terrible traffic. However, all the teams made it to the hotel by the flag down time, except for one team that had to spend two hours at a Local Garage in Penn. Team 14, The Indians, caused a bit of a stir as one of their team members stripped down for a rather disturbing Buddha impression, which we’re sure most of the teams will forget in a hurry! Today, we decided to rack up the stakes a bit and give the teams some simple challenges, but we started them off light, as they did yet more challenging later.

Day 5: Pune to Mahabaleshwar

Photo by Liane Wicks from team Ice Ice Bhaji.

The teams had a few challenges to get to know Pune a little before embarking onwards to Mahabaleshwar, after visiting the famous Aga Khan Palace, they also had the interesting challenge of making chai at a local stall and capturing the moment on camera. Teams Mystery Machine and Nan of Your Business took their own rally course to see a bit more of India, but the competition is heating up among the rest of the teams. So far things are good, and it looks like everyone is having fun, but it’s early days still, so who knows what we can expect in the next coming days?

Riding Along with the Malabar Rampage – Getting Out of Kerala

Jennifer — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:01:49 +0000

Another Rickshaw Challenge has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Seventeen teams set off on Monday out of Trivandrum with Goa as their destination, and while five days cruising along the Malabar Coastline by auto rickshaw might seem like a smooth dream when compared to some of our more hardcore runs, this year’s teams on the Rickshaw Challenge Malabar Rampage had quite a few challenges – both planned and unplanned – en route.

Our teams take on the mini challenge in Trivandrum! (top left – Three Amigos; top right: BeunkenBräu; bottom left Silver Bullet; bottom right The Polar Bears)

Kerala is a state that might look relaxed and laid back in the travel brochures, but there is so much more going on that just lying on a houseboat drifting through the famous backwaters. Just a couple of days before our teams arrived in India, Kerala put its foot down on the sale of alcohol, where only five star hotels are licensed to carry a fully stocked bar. With a group of Aussies, Brits and other heavy drinking nationalities (excuse the stereotype), we had to do our homework to find places where people can go for a drink. Fortuately, it turned out beer and wine parlours could still operate, so not everything was lost.

Aussie teams The Six and Out Farewell Tour and the Malabar Handlebars find alcohol in Trivandrum.

After a day of training and some warm up challenges to get the ball rolling, our teams kicked off their three-wheeled adventure and sped up towards Alleppey, dubbed as the Venice of the East for its canals that link into the backwaters. Our teams had to learn how to make chai from roadside stalls and find a houseboat on the way, among other tasks. The first day went relatively smoothy, but the next day was not so easy.

Our teams try to make chai! Left – Alexandra from Team BeunkenBräu; top center the Three Amigos, bottom centre The Six and Out Farewell Tour; right – Skidmark Racing.

Even though the first team headed out of Alleppey to Calicut at 7:30am, everyone, including our trip manager Princely, who got to the official hotel at 8:25, arrived late. The last team got in at 10pm. The long journey was broken up with a stop in Kochi, to visit the famous Chinese nets and the spice shops in Mattanchery.

The Three Amigos go spice shopping

However, despite the late arrival in Calicut, the teams were unable to just chill out since the state-wide strike in Kerala the next day, along with an impending road block meant the teams needed not to only fuel up with plenty to spare before heading off to Mangalore, but also meant getting up to leave at 6:30am, just incase there were any problems on the way. Find out more late about our team and how they fared getting to Mangalore only on the Rickshaw Challenge blog!
To find out how the teams fared with the challenges so far, check out the score on our sponsor’s page GamingZion Events!

After Dark: The Nights of the Rickshaw Challenge

Jennifer — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 11:07:05 +0000

The Rickshaw Challenge is pretty crazy by day, with tipped up tuk-tuks, thieving monkeys and cramming 9 passengers into one tiny shaw, but by night the participants know how to party, check out some of the goss from Pondicherry to Trivandrum of the GamingZion Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015!

Final After Party – photo by Nick Michell from Kilted Ring Sting.

Pondicherry, 29 December 2015
After riding through a cyclone from Chennai to Pondicherry, our brave rickshaw riders were in need of a drink and the chance to party Indian style. No one was prepared for the surprise organiser Aravind had in store at the Priya Deluxe Bar in Pondicherry. A few stiff drinks, and our participants were still not ready to face the Indian loo at the bar, throwing them together in an unconventional bonding session on the first day.

“Let’s get local!” – Priya Deluxe Bar, Pondicherry.

But once back at the hotel, the party wasn’t over, at least not the unofficial one. The teams stormed into the bar in the Annamalai Hotel for a nightcap, which despite the closing times managed to leave with handfuls of beer and made a beeline for Aussie superheroes the Bob Billies, who became the Rickshaw Challenge’s unofficial party host for the entire event. Things got a little out of hand, as rumours circulated about someone passing out in the shower… naked. The morning after it seems everyone knew of a certain participant’s special tattoo.

Madurai, 31 December 2015
New Year was a little challenging for the organizers as the original venue fell through at the last minute, but we managed to pull through and kick start 2015 at the Heritage Hotel in Madurai. While we all thought we had escaped the cyclone, we got treated to a downpour that turned our New Years party more Monsoon Wedding than Club Tropicana. But that didn’t stop us from having fun. The German team Bavarian Barbarians made sure they kept the beer flowing under the covered pagoda in the garden, along with Dukes of the Green, The Trashbags, The Wacky Racers and Team Shawmacher, while other teams kept themselves inside the main area. Some teams even set up a strategic garden umbrella to make it to the temporary bar set up in the middle of the uncovered garden.

Passed Out – photo by Brett Clark from Kilted Ring Sting.

As the open bar ran out, we got shuffled into a tent into a surreal Bollywood themed-Wild West fusion talent show. At this point most of us were too drunk to realise what was going on. The countdown to midnight culminated in fireworks and drunk hugs, before we were rallied back to the hotel like Cinderella after pumpkin time at the early hour of 12.30. This wouldn’t fly with our already drunk, party lusting Rickshaw Challenge participants, so the Bob Billies donated their room yet again for the after party. Cramming in around 40 people of course turned it into a drunken pandemonium, where random items from the conference room turned up, including a serrated knife no one knew the origins of.
Some of the participants fared worse than others and some found themselves enjoying the hallway as their bed. Things got a little out of hand. One of the Norwegians Game of Horns got dragged down the hall by one of the Shawmachers, and even though the Aussies kicked everyone out around 2am, people were still running up and down the hotel, getting locked out, losing shirts, and just general chaos. It was no surprise that the morning after that many people struggled to make it out to the temple in Madurai.
Tuticorin, 2 January 2015

“So the after part got a bit out of control apparently” – Gus Lamb from Team Apathy

The small sleepy fishing town of Tuticorin didn’t seem like a party hub, but where the Rickshaw Challenge goes, the participants bring the party with them. Things started up on the roof top in a civilised manner, since the hotel wanted people out of the roof by 10. However, across the grape vine there were stories of an afterparty and an after-after party that went on late into the morning. Some of the residents may have been woken up by the Bavarian Barbarians who knocked on the doors chanting “Ze Germans are coming!”

Kanyakumari, 5 January 2015
A bit more of a chilled out night by the pool at mainland India’s most southern tip. Despite the signs saying the pool was closed, our Rickshaw Challengers still jumped in for a bathe. Things were kept pretty kosher tonight after the long drive south, dealing with the mountains, monkeys and the most scenic drive of the trip. Although, many stayed up by the pool, some of the participants wanted to take things easy for the final run and to catch the sunrise over Cape Comorin.
Trivandrum, 6 January 2015

After party in Trivandrum – photo by Nick MIchell from Kilted Ring Sting.

The GamingZion Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015 was over, the awards given out and our teams were getting ready to head their separate ways, but not before one more bash. Everyone gathered to the rooftop of the nearby Hotel Horizon for a chilled out drink with views over the Keralan capital, but in true Classic Run 2015 style, the Bob Billies invited everyone back to their room, yet again, for some final crazy antics.
Things got a little heated, as our Rickshaw survivors got into a few wrestling matches, with Dukes of the Green’s Harry getting into the wrestling more than anyone else in the group. François from the Wacky Racers dazzled everyone with his bright green pyjamas and somewhere along the line, a lamp got broken, and drunken travel plans to Goa were made.
Thus wraps up another Rickshaw Challenge, but we hope that most of the participants went away with new friends for life.

Top 9 Sites from the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run

Jennifer — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 05:58:24 +0000

From temples to hidden beaches, while the GamingZion Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015 might not have followed the classic tourist route, but we have seen some amazing sites along the way, either from the backseat of a rickshaw or on our stops along the way. We drove deep into the heart of Tamil Nadu, which is one of India’s lesser visited regions with virtually no tourist infrastructure, and found some pretty amazing places on the way.
1. Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur on New Year’s Eve.

Capturing a palate of tawny browns and yellows, walking barefoot across this Ancient Living Chola Temple was a highlight of the trip. Over 1000 years old, pilgrims from all across India come to this vast temple complex to pay homage to the Hindu gods, from girls dressed up in scarlet saris marching in a precession for New Year’s purification to animated children begging us to photograph them, the life in the temple is as stunning as its towering pyramid-shaped gopurams detailed with elaborate stucco sculptures.
2. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai on New Year Day.

Most of us might have been recovering from a heavy New Year’s Party the night before, but the brilliant colours of Madurai’s 6 hectare temple was worth getting out of bed for. With 12 tall gopurams lined with gods, goddesses, demons, saints, and heroes in a rainbow of colours, the temple is a Technicolor Hindu dream. While non-Hindus were not allowed inside the heart of the temple, we could still stroll down the brilliantly coloured colonnades, watching the devout queue up in lines to enter the holiest part of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
3. The Monuments of Mahabalipuram

“Descent into the Ganges” in Mahabalipuram.

Even though this seaside town was a victim of the Tsunami ten years ago in 2004, and many of the temples in the town were damaged, there is still plenty to see in this ancient port city dating back to the Pallava kingdom. The Shore Temple is still a spectacular site, and as been reconstructed since the Tsunami damage, sporting elegant carvings and spectacular position on the shoreline. Nearby, the Five Rathas, temples carved out of the bulging boulders, were still just as spectacular in the pouring rain of the cyclone that hit us, where local visitors huddled under the rock cut colonnades. The huge relief carving representing the “Descent into the Ganges” is one of India’s artistic masterpieces, with intricately carved characters like the cat doing penance.
4. The Beach at Kanyakumari

Sunrise over Cape Comorin.

Kanyakumari, known also as Cape Comorin, marks mainland India’s most southerly point, and is also the point where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. The most beautiful time to head down to Kanyakumari beach is at sundown and sunrise. Locals flock to the beach both at sunrise and sunset, some even camping on the beach to be there on time in the morning. It’s a spectacular sight to watch the sun move across the coastline, watching the colours change on the huge colossus paying tribute to Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar.
5. Manimuthar Falls, Western Ghats

Manimuthar Falls

Close to Kanyakumari is a natural gem we had to visit as one of our challenges. Getting into Manimuthar Falls means driving up to a gate, where you pay a small 15 rupee fee before we had to drive down a very bumpy road to the falls. Although leaving any belongings behind in the rickshaw was dangerous due to kleptomaniac monkeys, it was worth it to go down and paddle in the cool waters of the falls. Local boys come here to bathe and cool off on the hot day.
6. French Quarter, Pondicherry

The French Quarter in Pondicherry.

Tucked behind the seafront and a stone’s throw away from the statue of Gandhi. The winding streets, brightly coloured buildings and wrought iron balconies recall Pondicherry’s French colonial history, while intermixing it with Indian vibrancy. The crumbling and damaged Hôtel de Ville on the seafront is worth a look in through the bars, and also checking out the Notre Dame des Agnes church.
7. The Seashore temple of Muruga Perumal at Tiruchendur

The Seashore temple of Muruga Perumal at Tiruchendur Temple

Backing onto a stretch of sandy beach hugging the Gulf of Mannar, the temple at Tiruchendur towers above in brilliant white stone. Even though it doesn’t even make an entrance in the Lonely Planet guide to South India, this temple to the Hindu deity Lord Muruga, the peacock god, is one of India’s largest temple complex by area and also one of the most visited by Hindu devotees.
8. The Hidden Beach Town of Manapad

Manapad Beach.

One of the hidden treasures we discovered on the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run is the coastal village of Manapad. A surreal step into Europe, this former Portuguese colony is all about little tight winding streets with brightly coloured façades and tall church spires. Fishing boats lie on the sandy flats of the long lagoon, as locals go down to bathe in the waters. On the top, the Holy Cross Church crowns the town from above in brilliant white. But even though it might look like a Portuguese fishing village, the curious locals surrounded our rickshaws, fascinated with Westerners in this tiny village that elsewhere would have been a touristic mecca.
9. The Temples of Kumbakonam

Kumbeshwara Temple in Kumbakonam.

On first impressions, this town between Pondicherry and Thanjavur seems like any ordinary junction town, but upon close inspection, the rows of fortunetellers and the colourful gopurams peering above indicate there is more to Kumbakonam than meets the eye. The Kumeshwara Temple dates back to the 17^th century, and supposedly was made by Lord Shiva itself. The temple opens up into a beautiful pond, where women in red saris take themselves in for a purifying bathe. There are 2 UNESCO World Heritage Chola Temples here, and the Mahamaham Tank, surrounded by 17 pavilions is one of the most sacred sites in the area.

Vandelised Rickshaws, Roadside Parties and Reaching the Finishing Line

Jennifer — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 05:15:34 +0000

After taking my life into my own hands to ride with Dukes of the Green to the finish line, the other teams also had their share of adventure from vandalised rickshaws, roadside parties and encounters with the police. Everyone made it to Trivandrum in more or less one piece, not quite sure if the same could be said for the rickshaws, though. But who won this year’s Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run?
Day 9, Kanniyakumari – Trivandrum
Before the flag off in Kanniyakumari, Team Apathy got a surprise as they mourned loss of their “trophy”, as they found their rickshaw had been vandelised, but which team was responsible?

“Sabotage. I wonder who did it..” – Team Apathy find their rickshaw had an unexpected makeover – photo by Marian Brooks from Rice to the Challenge.

On the way to Kerala, Aussie teams the Bob Billies, Mighty Mouse and the Triangle and the Mighty Ducks stopped off to have a roadside dance party, and South African team Hakuna Matatu got a small fine for not having the correct license to drive a tuk-tuk, but still managed to keep a smile up for the rest of the trip.

“After 1000 kms on the road, we’re fined for not having a licence to drive a tuk tuk. At least we left with a smile (sort of), a handshake and a photo…” – photo by Mandy Ramsden from team Hakuna Matatu.

All our teams (minus Dukes of the Green I and II) made it to the cathedral and drove to the hotel for the official flag down. After saying good bye to their trusty rickshaws, taking souvenirs with them of their trusty steeds they went into the hotel for the announcement of the winning team.

Made it to Trivandrum!

Team Shawmacker, comprised of Sintija, Swa and Jana, took the grand prize and won a place to come with us to the next Central Asia Rally, Rice to the Challenge got the award for raising the most money for charity, Dukes of the Green got the bozo award… and Team Apathy got their own trophy, the one they made for themselves, back.

Team Shawmacker – Champions of the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015!

After a few speeches from participants, it was time to unwind and then party late into the night. Apropos of tradition, the Bob Billies hosted yet another after party that went on into the night.
Our teams might be going their separate ways to different parts of India and then other corners of the globe, we can see almost everyone is going home with friends for life!
But the tale of adventure isn’t over yet, keep up with our stories on the Rickshaw Challenge blog for more three-wheeled madness.

Water fights, Drag Races and Rickshaw Hopping: Riding with Dukes of the Green

Jennifer — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 05:05:14 +0000

Final leg of the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run and I decide to take my life into my own hands by travelling to Kerala with the infamous Dukes of the Green to the finishing line. From water fights, drag racing and hopping between rickshaws, there is no dull moment with these lads.
Day 9, Kanniyakumari – Trivandrum
The final day of the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015, and I was up at 6am to head down the beach with the participants from the TDB Team for the sunrise over Cape Comorin. Having missed the sunset the night before because we arrived too late, I was determined to catch the sunrise.

“Good morning India!” Sun rise over the most southern point – photo by Marian Brooks from Rice to the Challenge.

The crowds had taken their base down on the seafront, camping out to watch the sun slowly emerge from the horizon where three seas meet. With the silhouette of the Thiruvalluvar Statue in the distance, catching the morning rays was worth the early wake up.
In my case, I also thought it would be my last sunrise, since I had foolishly elected to ride with Dukes of the Green today! Obviously, I lived to tell the tale, but the trip was not without its adventures.
Firstly, Dukes of the Green II broke down only minutes after leaving the town. Turned out they had run out of petrol in the middle of the motorway, so Dukes of the Green I had to go back into town and get some more supplies. As Piers, Rob and myself sped off in our tuk-tuk, we left Alex and Harry behind, who played around doing handstands in the motorway… as you do.

“What else are you going to do when you break down and get bored?” – courtesy of Harry Ropner from team Dukes of the Green.

We sped off later, and as team II’s rickshaw, named “Sam” for being the trusty friend (and an undamaged and reliable rickshaw, the damaged rickshaw got the name “Gimli”) rolled up blasting out Jerusalem at full volume on the sound system, the boys decided to play with fate as they hopped from one rickshaw to the other , but fortunately, there were no capsizes.
Once Harry realised he couldn’t keep up with Piers’s manic driving, Alex took the reigns and the two rickshaws got into a bumper car drag race through the towns on the road to Kerala – despite Aravind’s warnings that the roads were not particularly good – but nothing says adrenaline rush like flying out of a pothole at 60kmph.
Harry took things up a notch and started to poke our rickshaw with a stick and aimed to throw water at Rob, but actually hit me in the face instead.
Just over the border into Kerala, Harry and Alex’s rickshaw broke down in the middle of a busy town, in the centre of traffic after having run out of fuel, so we had to push the rickshaw to a less busy corner of the street as Alex refilled the tank.
Getting into Trivandrum was tricky. Harry was driving Dukes of the Green II, and couldn’t keep up with Piers in Dukes of the Green I. We had also lost the daysheet, so had no idea where to go. We went to the hotel, but Dukes of the Green missed the final procession of all the rickshaws leaving St. Joseph’s Cathedral to the pomp and ceremony of the official flagdown at the hotel. I guess it was a fitting end for the boys, especially when they had to push their totalled rickshaw towards the others since it finally couldn’t go any longer. I guess this meant Rickshaw Challenge was officially over… but what happened to the other teams?