deccan odyssey 2017 – Rickshaw Challenge

The Deccan Odyssey 2017 Recap 3: End of the Road

David — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:20:28 +0000

The final recap from the Deccan Odyssey 2017.

The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge is over for another year, and so we can bring you a (slightly belated) final recap from Princely. On the final three days, teams explored the incredible Ellora caves, partied at a vineyard, and finally reached Mumbai. Here’s Princely with his recap:

Day 7: Aurangabad – Ellora

There was no briefing for that day. It was planned in such a manner that the support crew would travel to Ellora and back as the day had challenges based on Ellora. Personally I went to the Ajantha caves as I had been to all the touristy spots other than Ajantha, considering Aurangabad as base. The teams started the day activity around 11 AM. The Bhaji boys did not take their vehicle and one of the team members was confined to their room due to delhi belly. The rest piled with the other teams to visit Ellora. The teams came back to Aurangabad at around 3 PM. The rest day was winded up nicely and the anxious time of laundry came to end in the evening.

Day 8: Aurangabad to Nashik

Fresh from the rest day the teams were really looking forward to another day of driving more than 200 km. The teams were confident on all types type of road and any distance as the tuk tuk and drivers had struck a harmony between them. I reached the base hotel at around 1.30 PM. The teams fell in place before 4 pm and the plan was to go to Sula vineyard. I went along with them and it ended up in a fun night. Like the movie hangover, we had to ask with in ourselves what had happened the previous night. There are some amazing pictures from that night, which can be shared only with the group who was there. The fun night had no impact on the people next day as everyone was ready for the next day without fuss.

Day 9: Nashik to Mumbai

The last day of Deccan odyssey 2017 had a smooth start. Usually the commercial vehicles entering Mumbai city have to go through a tough drill of bureaucracy. That day there was no check or stop for the Chennai garage tempo van till it reached the sun n sand hotel (base hotel in Mumbai). As expected the teams started arriving at 3 PM. The teams convoyed with each other to Mumbai and they lost a little bit of time as teams stayed for lunch. Team 4 had a small gear cable problem which was sorted out by the locals. They were seemed to have enjoyed the warmness they got through the process. All the teams mentioned that India is amazingly friendly country and especially in rural areas they felt like celebrities. The beautiful pool in the hotel mesmerized them and I had to literally drag them all to the award function. Most of them were in their swimming attire to receive the awards. At 5 pm the award ceremony and closing of the Deccan odyssey 2017 was held at the business center of the base hotel. Team 1, the Flintstones, did the challenges in a religious fashion and they were judged the Champions. Team 2 The Bhaji Boys who had fun altogether and made the other teams happy, were judged the Bonkers. The teams thanked our service team and organization for the fun time they had in Deccan odyssey 2017.

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

The Deccan Odyssey 2017 Recap 2: Exploring Maharashtra

David — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 13:53:07 +0000

On Days 4, 5, and 6 of the Deccan Odyssey 2017, the teams left Karnataka and explored Maharashtra.

In the latest installment of our Deccan Odyssey 2017 recap, Princely tells us all about the adventures of the Rickshaw Challenge on Day 4 (Belgaum to Kolhapur), Day 5 (Kolhapur to Pune), and Day 6 (Pune to Aurangabad). The participants explored Maharashtra, challenged themselves by driving even longer distances in their rickshaws, and took some great photos! Here’s Princely’s account:

Day 4 Belgaum to Kolhapur

The fourth day of Deccan odyssey 2017 started from Belgaum. It had been a long night for many of the participants and when the teams came to the Lobby they were sharing the stories with me. Michel, one of the Bhaji boys (Team 2) was the earliest for the breakfast. The rest of the teams arrived at 8 am. for briefing. Being a short day of just 120 km, Team 3 the French connection decided to take a detour to a water falls recommended in the day sheet. Before 8.30 am. all the teams left for the day from the base hotel. The tempo traveler in which I was travelling took just 3 hours to reach the base hotel in Kolhapur. The first team to arrive in Kolhapur was team 2. They checked in first and went to look around the town. By 5 PM all the teams checked in the hotel and the uneventful day came to end. In the night teams searched for a good pub and the recommended bar in the day sheet was selected to wind off.

Day 5 Kolhapur to Pune

As per the day plan this was the longest day in the whole trip. The base hotel on the day was located in the outer suburbs on the Bombay bypass from Pune. Considering that in mind I briefed them at 8 AM at the hotel and explained them what is it going to be to find the hotel. Everything went smoothly and the teams arrived at the base hotel around 5.30 PM. The teams had no outing that day and all of them went to bed early. Me and support crew had tough time finding a hotel nearby and eventually landed up in a hotel which was 3 KM away from the base hotel.

Day 6 Pune to Aurangabad

All the teams were early to the breakfast and briefing was at 8 AM sharp. Ferrying out of Pune was a challenge that day and I gave them a rough idea how the roads were going to be. There was no evidence of rain on the road from the previous as the sun was bright and shining on Pune that morning. The Support crew and I had breakfast and started at 8.30 AM. For me to get out of Pune traffic took about 3 hours. When it was around 1 PM, I received a message from Team 2 that their ‘engine died’. The support crew got to them just minutes later. Eventfully we found out that the team had lost the fuel tank and covered it with tape. The act had choked the fuel flow and caused the problem. It was really a long day and teams were really tiered when they reached the base hotel. The base hotel had a lovely bar and the teams got up there and had fun.

The Deccan Odyssey 2017 So Far!

David — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:11:47 +0000

The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge 2017 is underway!

The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge 2017 has begun! Teams met in Panaji, Goa, for a couple of days’ rickshaw training, before setting off to explore some of the most interesting places in India! The first stop was Belgaum, in Karnataka, and after a week of excitement the rally will end in Mumbai. Here’s the story of the first few days, courtesy of organizer Princely:

Deccan Odyssey 2017: Day 1

Princely giving teams the lowdown on the Rickshaw Challenge

Exactly at 9.30 at the clock the first team Flintstones came to the reception and asked for the Rickshaw Challenge organizers. It did not take much time to finish the registration, once the team 4 came arrived at the hotel we winded up and moved to the next segment: briefing. I gave them all a warm welcome and briefed them about what we expect on the rickshaw challenge. Next we moved on to Practice. As the monsoon had started in Goa, rains filled the low spots of the practice ground and it added a special challenge. I gave them a good introduction of the vehicle and asked them to start the practice. All the teams picked it up really fast and they were all fluent in just an hour time. Then we practiced couple of drills and bang, time came for them to hit the road. The first challenge is to find the hotel and on the way they had to fill the petrol: one by one, all the teams successfully arrived back at the hotel.

Deccan Odyssey 2017: Day 2

I dropped myself at the base hotel at around 10 am. At that time, a couple of teams were having their breakfast and getting ready for the mini challenge. By 11 am everyone started to explore old Goa, as mentioned in the mini challenge. All the teams had no issues except team 1. The vehicle was starting and then stopping within a short distance. James (the younger Flintstone) has a lot of interest in mechanics so tried himself for some time, but eventually he had to call me for help. The Chennai Garage team reached them and rectified the fault in the fuel supply from tank. All ended well and teams went to hit the bed early, to be fit for the first day on road.

Deccan Odyssey 2017: Day 3

This was the most exciting day for the teams, as it is the first day they are travelling to another town. The teams were briefed at 8 am. Immediately after that we flagged them all off. The first incident on road was a small accident between team 1 and a two wheeler. I was on the scene before they could call me. The two wheeler person was behaving cool. The only damage to the vehicle was the head light dome. Only a few minutes later, I saw the guy taking a selfie with the teams! Debora (the elder sibling of the cousins) was totally awestruck to see what was happening. She said that if that would have happened in England, it would have been a serious issue. Immediately came a message that Team French connections were having a break down, just 7 km ahead of us. Minutes later I received a call from them informing me that they had just ran out of fuel. Even before we could reach them they were helped by the locals and got back on driving. When we caught up with them, their kick start was broken and it was just a 5 minutes work by the CG mechanics.

The funniest of all activity on that day was the petrol station mentioned in the petrol challenge was closed and all of them had to buy petrol from retails in bottle. Then again I got a call from Team Bhaji Boys with the same issue. It was also sorted out by the help given by team 3, who reached them before the service guys could get them. One by one the teams started reaching the base hotel at Belgaum. Belgaum was colorful as the town is preparing for the Ramzan. In the night teams sat for beers and they were sharing the lighter side of things on road. The most amazing stories were again from team 1, as they had to wait for 45 minutes in police station, as the cops wanted them to have tea. Team 2 got beers from out of who knows where: they felt like beer angel is following them. With that note I will end this first edition of Deccan odyssey 2017. See you at Aurangabad.

The States Visited by the Deccan Odyssey

David — Wed, 24 May 2017 23:10:14 +0000

We learn about the states visited by the Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge.

The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge kicks off on June 10th, with training in Panaji. Participants will explore Goa, Karnataka, spending most time in Maharashtra. When the event finishes on 18th June in Mumbai, teams will have seen some amazing places, eaten incredible food, and had a very good times. Here are the states visited by the Deccan Odyssey 2017!

Goa

The Union territory of Goa is the smallest state in India, but one of the most popular to visit, and it’s immediately easy to see why. The coast is lined with golden sands, home to beaches of every variety: secret coves and luxury resorts, hippy hangouts and party paradise. But Goa isn’t just beaches. The territory has a rich history, due to centuries of trade and colonialism, and the state is a mix of Islamic, Hindu, and Portuguese elements, and more.

Nowhere is the incredible cultural history more evident than Goa’s incredible cuisine. Eating some of best food in India is a great way to start the Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge: with freshly-caught seafood and fiery spices, what more can you want? Colonial history is also visible in the architecture and atmospheric streets. Panaji’s latin quarter, lined with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, is like nowhere else in India. If amazing buildings aren’t your thing, head inland to Goa’s lush countryside.

Karnataka

The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge doesn’t visit Karnataka for long, only spending one night there: in the city of Belagavi. Karnataka is fascinating and large, though, extending hundreds of miles inland, dominating much of Southern India. Places of note include Hampi, which was once the second largest city of earth, and Mysuru, the grand palace city. Karnataka also include modern cities like Bangalore and Mangalore, sites of religious pilgrimage like Murudeshwara, and beautiful countryside of rolling hills, jungles, and national parks.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is where teams on the Deccan Odyssey will spend most of their time, but they will only scratch the surface of India’s third-largest, and second-most-populous state. Luckily, there’s quite the surface: including Mumbai, one of the greatest cities on earth. There’s also Pune, the ninth largest city in India, and Nagpur, not far behind. For city life, there aren’t many places better than Maharashtra. However, there’s so much more to the state than urban living.

There is supreme nature: luscious vineyards, myriad beaches, and incredible natural park filled with exotic wildlife. And there’s an incredible amount of history. Look out for religious monuments, colonial relics, and best of all, the astonishing caves of Ellora and Ajanta, which the Deccan Odyssey will visit. You can even find a mini Taj Mahal, pictured above, in Aurangabad.