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 6 – When You Show Too Much Enthusiasm For The Picture Challenge

Yercaurd morning is a beautiful morning with mist on the hill station and the pleasant sound of birds added music to the scene. In this idyll the teams prepared their tuk tuk for the makeover challenge. Except team 4, 6 and Team 11, all participated in it and they showed the eagerness to win the championship. By 8 am all the teams gathered for the briefing.
 

Day 7 – A Rickshaw Loving Ambassador

The final day excitement and the thought of the  finish line gave all the participants a mixed feeling. As usual we planned for an early start and wanted to regroup at Tambaram (a suburb, 30 km before Chennai) for the finish ceremony. Team Neruppu Da called for assistance about half an hour after we left the hotel.  Otherwise, it was a lightning day. Teams arrived at the regrouping place, well in time except Team Indiaree and Team Let’s go Jozi. The late quickly joined us but Team Indiaree missed the finish.
 

1. How long have you been the head organizer of the Rickshaw Challenge?

Everyone has the luxury of so many things and we act superior or inferior according to what you think, how much you have. But , time is  equal to everyone. In 2014 , I ran a rally called Deccan Odyssey with just one rickshaw team. I drove a Rickshaw (tuk tuk) in that rally and that is when I felt I a wanted to head this. Chronologically speaking, I joined as the GM of the company from the first day. It was in 2010 September. The first rally I did was the Tech Ride with 7 teams. Following with a rally called Nortland tuk tuk , for a security company called Bears (if my memory serves me right). This all started with a drive for a friend’s wedding with Aravind (Mentor, Tutor and a friend.)
So it is 6 years of averaging 5 rallies per year. Definitely more than 30 of these rallies including some exclusive events for corporate clients.

2. How did you come to join?

For quite some time, I was busy with my college days, then bachelor life, then work life… When married life has finally crash landed, I took it positively and started working for the company I initially worked for. It was a workplace with great atmosphere, but some sort of emptiness was there. That sort of time Aravind and I spoke over the phone and decided to drive down from Chennai to Trichy for a wedding. I would consider this my drive up.

3. Tell us about the craziest participants!

The moment they press the button Pay, they go crazy. There is some sort of established feeling the rally completion gives you. That has taken shape automatically with good hearts and positive process. New friends, lots of bad ass stories. Off the road it is wild drink party stories and on the road it is sort of a mix of scary and joyful stories. Strange enough, some teams were lost on the first day and found on the finish. Didn’t even bother to ask what was going on.

4. What is the most spectacular story about a team getting lost?

Nothing is to beat the story from the first rally of my career. The day I lost my way and did not estimate the distance and destination. It was the day from Chitradurga a beautiful old fort town, to Raichur and it was a penultimate day. A team had lost its way and by the time I found them, it was almost 3 pm. Then it quickly became dark before we reached the town  Bellary. We had around 80 km to close the day, the decision was made by Aravind (we had two cars) and he persuaded the lost team to join us. The mess is about GPS technology. They landed up in wrong state, on bad roads and their vehicle wasn’t working. From Bellary I hailed a auto rickshaw driver for the way and drove it. I reached Raichur at about 12 midnight. The team of two Girls from Wales were caught up by Aravind and they were short of fuel for both vehicles and they had to sleep at a gas station. I remember these guys made it to the hotel by 7 am and started in another 2 hours and they finished the rally in their own  style.

5. What is the biggest trouble participants ever got into?

Accidents, detained by Indian police, suddenly the road getting washed away (diversion) and most recently a Local Bandh (when every shop and event closes) in Kerala. The recent past always stays fresh in mind. 2015 Malabar Rampage, day when we need to travel from Kolikode  to Mangalore. After a long drive from Aleppey to Kolikode on the previous night, teams were informed to load with fuel to tackle the 100 Km drive out of Kerala borders as all the gas stations would also be closed. Again, I got the distance wrong as it was actually 150 km to border. Finally we all made it but teams were frustrated till they got to a bar at Mangalore to celebrate a participant’s birthday.

6. What do you like most as Head Organizer of the Rickshaw Challenge?

It is the versatility  of the participants and their view of India has always kept me puzzled and interesting. Conducting it has become a ritual with several like minded people.

7. What is the greatest challenge as Head Organizer of the Rickshaw Challenge?

As I answered the last question, it is the puzzled surprise of conducting the Rally, is a challenge as well.

8. Please tell us a bit about the team which supports you!

Initially I had five people working for me. One cash and accounts staff, a designer, vehicle organizer, a Rickshaw Challenge coordinator (gathers up inquiry and converts them to clients)  and a cook. The Coordinator was a lady who was well into her pregnancy that time, so she left the wagon early. Then it was only Guy Zucker. The designer and the account coordinator are husband and wife. The accountant had some medical problems and she quit followed soon by her husband. Seenevasan, a close associate during my printing days, joined and he grew in to a solid position by his experience and single mindedness. First person who I hired for the team is Saker, who came as a contract worker, asked for job and joined as a mechanic. His values and relentless work could fill pages. The other two guys who joined with him as tinker and helper, left after couple of rallies. Before the start of Chennai Garage, we ran a workshop at the basement  in the old office. A special mention about Mr. Jaganathan (senior consultant), who gave me lot of professional insight to the work. He was instrumental in creating the Garage set up. Today we have a staff of 40 people working for the organization. Growing in a great path and looking forward to take the challenge of employing 1000 people. Special mention about Suba, Armugam, Satheesh and Babu (who are not working with me at present); with out them, Challenges would not have been broken.

9. Why should people participate in the Rickshaw Challenge?

It’s life changing. Wandering in India is a tutor to one’s conscience. It’s fun, it’s exciting and It’s CRAZY.

10. A random story you will always remember?

Mumbai Xpress 2011 is the most memorable event not because it was fun – it is because it taught me what I need to work on to make it simple. On the whole rally the earliest when I would have reached the hotel was 10 pm. The toughest part was  the first day on road, from Mumbai to Alibag. I had 40 km to Alibag and the gate road started from that point. It was an up hill drive, and two teams where with me with various complaints at 9 pm. As neither of them had functioning headlights, they decided not to drive. I employed Saker and another helper to drive both of them and started the rest of the route. In another 10 minutes, we received a call from another team and they had complaints about headlights as well. Finally the Innova picked them up and proceeded towards the base hotel. So, myself, Saker and the helper with three rickshaws. On the way, one by one, they stopped working with clutch problems. We parked them on the side of the road and luckily one vehicle made it to hotel with all three of us. Then we took the Innova and drove down to repair them and drove it to the destination. Throughout the rally, I had lot of breakdowns and towing become a constant thing. To add up the woes, a team lost control and almost flew with their vehicle into a ditch. To be frank, one of the most scariest sight I would have seen my whole life. Thank God that nothing happened to the participants and eventually made to the finish. Stay warned will be my word to all the future perspectives of rickshaw challenge.

Bajaj RE is a name deeply inscribed in every Indian’s heart. Since 1961 it has changed the way millions of Indians travel, touching their lives every single day.

Auto Rickshaws India

This game

Created by JSplash Apps, the Auto Rickshaw Rash mobile game is both quirky and fun. Get behind the wheel and join this crazy race, but be careful as there are no rules here. In fact, this is the one place where bad driving is rewarded! Take the lead, hit, grind and smash your opponents – you’ll get coins every time you do this. Coins can be used to upgrade your auto rickshaw and you can unlock awesome achievements as you progress.
The race is set in an imaginary location in Bangalore, India, and drivers speak in Kannada during the race. A newer version will take players to famous cities like Chennai and Mumbai.

This Indian Mickey Mouse cartoon

Watch Mickey speeding through the Mumbai traffic in an auto rickshaw, to get an elephant up a mountain. Unless you speak the language, you won’t understand much of it, but truth to be told you don’t even need to; this cartoon is universally funny.

The mind-blowing TUK600

The what? The Far Cry 4 Tuk Tuk replica created by Colin Furze, of course! The DYI mad man took a normal auto rickshaw and turned it into a crazy machine by putting a Honda engine on it and rigging airsoft guns on it.

The Rickshaw Challenge

Looking for a crazy adventure in India? The Rickshaw Challenge is exactly what you need! Since 2006, the rally team has been offering tourists the chance to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where partying and sightseeing combine in a unique way.
All you have to do is gather your friends or family to create a team, pack your bags and we’ll take care of everything else, so you can fully enjoy the ride! Whether you choose the Classic Run, the Malabar Rampage, Deccan Odyssey, Mumbai Xpress or Tamilnadu Run, you’re guaranteed to have the most adventure-filled vacation in India.

These badass pimped rickshaws

Driving an auto rickshaw is certainly an interesting experience, but if you’re looking for something that will grab everyone’s attention, check out these crazy pimped out auto rickshaws. Giant horns, toy guns, colorful lights, weird paint jobs – your imagination is the only limit to what your customized auto rickshaw will look like.
If you want to ride in style, you can make your rickshaw look like a limousine on the inside. If you want everyone to notice you when you pass by, why not disguise your vehicle as a giant furry rabbit, or paint flames on its sides to make it look badass? Anything is possible!

Mellowcab

Although only recently introduced, this product is already touted as the electric rickshaw of the future. Mellowcab is a service that manufactures and operated electric auto rickshaws, which have been transformed to mini-cabs to be used as public transportation in crowded cities. In addition to carrying passengers, the service also makes money from selling advertising space on vehicles.
The electric mini-cabs were created by a South African entrepreneur, who thought the on-demand taxi service would serve as a green, cheap, safe and fast alternative for regular cars.
The three-wheeler designed by Neil du Preez weighs 230 kg. It is powered by pedals and an electric-assist motor and runs on rechargeable lead-crystal batteries which allow it to run for about 110 km at a top speed of 112 km/h. Mellowcab will work through a smartphone app.

This social initiative

And last, but not least, auto rickshaws deserve all your love and admiration because they are also used in social causes. The Rickshaw Challenge supports various charities and encourages participants to donate.
The Rickshaw Project is another notable social initiative. The organization offers jobs for people with disabilities, employing them as drivers for specially-designed, hand-controlled, retrofitted rickshaws. Through this initiative, TRP is trying to fight against prejudices and campaign for the rights of people with disabilities.
We hope this article helped you discover just how awesome these tiny vehicles are. But if you still have doubts, you should join us on our next rally and we guarantee you’ll fall hopelessly in love with auto rickshaws.

“The Rickshaw Challenge is an event that happens five times a year, every year. It’s a great way to see the country and this year, six teams from around the world came down to explore Tamil Nadu, and drove themselves around in bright, customised auto-rickshaws.”

Read more HERE
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