After a successful weekend of practice and first day on the road, the Tamilnadu Run had more exploring to do. Here is Princely’s final Rickshaw Challenge report until the Classic Run begins in more than two months!

Long Distance to Thanjavur

On the Pondicherry morning we had briefing at 8 am on the dot. Being long distance and with bad roads to navigate, I warned all the tree teams beforehand. As expected the teams immediately started and left. As we had a beach spot in Cuddalore town as a challenge for the day, I instructed the mechanic team to get the detour and check whether any team is there on the spot. So by the time the Mechanic team called up, it was 10 am. By the word of the shop keeper there we got the information that two teams came to the beach and left. Then the mechanic team was in hot pursuit to catch them before the next town called Chidambaram. But no, the mechanics could not catch the teams there.

In our day sheet we had marked a lunch recommendation at Puthur, called Jayaram mess, and known for its good fish. I reached the place at 12.30 pm and within half an hour all the teams arrived. Oh what a site to watch 6 foreigners having meals at the thatched roof eating spot. It was a show of amusement to the locals and the serving team there was super exited and they were asking them whether the spice was ok giving them the very best service. Then it was pretty much a straight drive to Thanjavur. Somewhere after Kumbkonam town the sky got absolute crazy dark. Within five minutes the rain started pelting down heavily. The rain was there until 20 km and when I started approaching Thanjavur the sun started shining brightly again. Teams came in to the hotel around 5.30 pm. The gorgeous looking swimming pool in Tanjavur base hotel become the spot for the teams. Probably they settled there till 10 pm and stories after stories were evident from their roaring sound of laughter.

The Way to Yercaud

Thanjur morning was again an early morning start. The day drive was a straight drive for me without any call and surprisingly not bumping in to any team for the whole day. I was in Yercaud at 3 pm after a good lunch at the recommended hotel in day sheet called Selvi mess near the Salem new bus stand. All the while the mechanic team could not work out where the teams were. It was around 4.30 pm the mechanic team reached the foot hills of Yercaud and started waiting. Till 5 pm there was no trace of teams. Then I messaged the teams to know about the where about. Then I hurried them by warning them about the last stretch will take about an hour and half and to start immediately to claim the hills. Still Team 1 made it to the foot hills at around 5.45 pm. Then the mechanics tailed them. The first team to reach the base hotel was Team 2 ‘Keep Karma and Carry Omm’ and it was 6 pm. The next team was team 3 ‘The Coxes’ to reach the hotel and they came at around 6.30 pm. It became pitch dark. Team 1 ‘One-Eyed Wonder weasels’ had tough time driving the hill in the dark. They had to literally push the vehicle a couple of times and Darrell refused to take the mechanic help as he wants the full credit to doing it by himself. Yeh! They did it. It was around 7 pm that they made it to the hotel. The lit up Salem view from the hills was amazing. And the bar was occupied only with the three teams bragging about the drive on few beers and cocktails.

Lazy Day to the Holy City of Tiruvanamalai

Yercaud morning was misty. Being a hill station the life comes alive only after 8 in the spot. I was ready at 7.30 am and came to the reception. Arun the Chennai garage leader of mechanic team came there as well. It was Darrell who came at 7.45 there. Dropping his bags checking his vehicle he went for the breakfast and it was not ready. It was 8 am that they started the breakfast spread at the base hotel. The briefing was held at 8.30 am and the teams immediately left to the next destination. The routes were discussed and the challenge was explained to them. That was absolutely a no-nonsense day and I crossed the teams at Uthangarai a town before 60 km to the destination. The base hotel had many activities, most notably milking a cow. David Smith of Team 2 ‘Keep Karma and carry on’ had his fortune checked by a parrot. Thus the non-eventful day came to an end in a village set up resort in Thiuvanamalai.

Reaching Chennai

The last day drive started early at 8 am from Tiruvanamalai. Some of the teams visited the amazing temple complex which is considered huge in Indian standards of temple. Then the teams did the Chengi fort before catching the main highway to Chennai. The recommended hotel for the lunch in Thindivanam was visited by two teams except team no.2. The mechanics had no clue till the finish of the day where these teams were. About 80 km before Chennai the rain showed a sign of scare. I had to drive slow and I could only imagine those three wheeled open-ventilated rickshaw. They would have had a tough time negotiating that for sure. My family had bid goodbye to the teams that morning as the plan was to drop them home before I concluded the rally at the base hotel and then washing down at the flag off planed at Elements hostel. All the 3 teams made it well in time and at 7.30 pm we had the finish ceremony at our Elements hostel.

At the finish, I heard a lot of interesting stories from the team about their fuelling experiences. Many head wobbles, fewer suggestions to light up the activities. Team 2 knocked a two wheeler when they tried reversing and paid 300 rupees for the damage. Alesha of Team 1 is a safety inspector in Canada who mainly inspects building sites. She was amazed by the absolute violation of safety measures in India. Life of the working class in India is taken for granted and I pacified her by my silly statement of citing the population as the reason. One or two life sacrifice is ok for the most densely populated country in the world. That was definitely a tongue in cheek statement which took the serious concern to a laughing material. I was also amused to learn the the meaning of the team name ‘One-eyed wonder Weasels’. The Champions were decided by the makeover and Team 3 ‘The coxes’ were awarded for their Halloween theme make over. Such came the end to all exciting Tamilnadu Run 2018. See you for another adventure soon. Until then its ‘bye’ from me and the entire team.

Incredible Nature

Like these fields of green.

Often the best views are of plantations, like this spot in Western Tamil Nadu.
 

Pristine Beaches

Chennai, where the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run begins, has the longest natural urban beach in the country.

Fishing is an important industry in ports like Tuticorin.

Sometimes the clear white sand has to be seen to be believed.
 

Amazing Temples

The gopurams of Madurai are astonishing.

While Rajarajeswaram has been astonishing visitors for over one thousand years.
 

India’s Southern Tip

Your reward for making it all the way to the very south of the subcontinent is the stunning ocean views of Kanyakumari.
 

 

Chennai

 
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is Tamilnadu’s capital and by far the largest city in the state. One of India’s major cities, it’s a perfect first stop when visiting India. Not quite as crazy as the very largest cities, and a little less “showy”, there’s still lots to do. You have to have a stroll along Marina beach (pictured above), the longest natural urban beach in India, and see nearby Fort St George, a relic of the city’s colonised past.
 

Pondicherry

 
The second stop on the Classic Run provides a chance to experience a very different atmosphere. Pondicherry (now officially known as Puducherry), is technically not part of Tamilnadu: instead it is located on Union territory, ruled by central government. In fact, Pondichery was French territory until the mid 20th century, and when it comes to cuisine, architecture, and overall feeling of the place, their colonial legacy is still very apparent today.
 

Thanjavur

 
The third city we visit is Thanjavur, the religious and cultural heart of Tamilnadu. One of India’s oldest cities, you can see relics of ancient empire, alongside impressive modern temples. Of particular note is Brihadeeswara Temple, a treasure of Indian architecture, over a thousand years old. The city is filled with life, famous for painting, music, and dance.
 

Madurai

 
Madurai is a city of temples, and it is impossible not to be impressed by the many intricately designed gopurams which tower over historic sites. An ancient city, which once traded with Rome and Greece, it has long been an important center for Tamil culture. However, the city is also flourishing in modern times, and it bustles with energy, especially during festival season.
 

Tuticorin

 
The Pearl City, Tuticorin, is Tamilnadu’s gateway to the sea. Also known as Thoothukudi, it has been an important port for centuries: once ruled by the Pandyan kingdom, it was taken over by the Portuguese, Dutch, and then British. Make sure you try the speciality of the city: the famous Macaroon!
 

Tirunelveli

 
Tirunelveli, variously known as Nellai or, historically, Tinnevelly, is located on the banks of the river Thamiraparani. Once the capital of the Pandya kingdom, there has been a settlement here for over two thousand years. The city’s most famous site is the impressive Nellaiappar Temple, dedicated to the god Shiva.
 

Kanyakumari

 
It’s easy to find Kanyakumari on a map: it’s located at India’s southern tip, and was known in Colonial times as Cape Common. Surrounded on by the Laccadive Sea on three sides, Kanyakumari offers fantastic views, particularly at sunset. It’s also home to many religious monuments, like the Vivekananda rock memorial (pictured above) and the Kumari Amman temple.
 

Trivandrum

 
The final stop on the Classic Run Rickshaw Challenge is Trivandrum, officially known as Thiruvananthapuram. This is the capital of glorious Kerala, known as “God’s own country”, the third state we will have visited. The city is blessed with a phenomenal location, between hills and ocean, and there are too many fantastic beaches to count. With its strategically useful position in the very south-west of the peninsula, Trivandrum has a long history and some great buildings to show for it: check out Kowdiar Palace (pictured above) and Padmanabhaswamy temple.
 
 

 

Tamil Nadu

 
The Classic Run kicks off on December 28th in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is India’s fifth biggest city and is packed with history, though the first stop for sightseeing will likely be Marina beach (pictured above), the longest urban natural beach in the country.
 

 
Once teams are trained in the art of handling a rickshaw, and prepared for Indian roads, it’ll be time to set out to explore Tamil Nadu. Participants will see incredible countryside, the glorious temples of Madurai, and fantastic ocean views from the southern tip of India at Kanyakumari.
 

Union Territory

 
The time in Tamil Nadu will be briefly paused when the Classic Run spends a night in the Union Territory of Puducherry, often better known as Pondicherry. This is one of five areas in India that are not technically states, but are in fact ruled directly by central government.
 

 
A former French colony, Pondicherry is rich with European influences: in architecture, cuisine, and the generally relaxed vibe of the place. Explore the various juxtapositions on offer: of Tamil and ‘Latin’ Quarters, of Temples and Churches, and of glorious beaches running alongside pristine ocean.
 

Kerala

 
The Classic Run only reaches Kerala on the final day of its journey, but all participants are encouraged to stay longer to soak in all this state has to offer. Eat the incredible food, enjoy the many beaches, and relax in what is likely India’s most tranquil state.
 

 
We stay in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital and largest city, but we also recommend heading north to the famous backwaters, the historic trading city of Cochin, and the sensational scenery of the Western Ghats.
 

 

Tamilnadu Run 2017 Day 1

 

 
Welcome back to you all, to yet another edition of the fantastic, super crazy, adventurous Tamilnadu Run. Personally, after a grueling 14-day trip from Mumbai to Chennai on the Mumbai Xpress 2017, this 7-day rally can be compared to a weightlifter whose personal best is 100kg lifting 50kg. But that does not mean this event will be any less mad (and scary…), or that participants will be any less excited (and anxious…)! Come; lets venture in to the fun new ride with new members on the deck.
 

 
As staff of the Travel Scientists, I always look for the entry of the first person to the registration like a young bird for its first fly. Puskar from Team 12 entered the reception first — an Indian origin gentleman from USA. His parents are from Bihar (Indian state) and he was educated in Ninital. At dot 9 am on 14.10.2017 the registration of Tamilnadu Run started. Some of the teams were staying in the base hotel already and we made some notice to those guys from the reception.

 

 
Interestingly for this rally we have 6 teams together from UK. Laurance Holyoake from UK thought to treat his friends for his birthday and guess what he chose for the treat? Yeah! The rickshaw Challenge in India. They all arrived in the same time and made the registration team gasp for air with too many people asking too many questions. Slowly and steadily the registration team of Travel Scientists brought back normalcy to the situation: their previous experiences gave them the tools to handle any situation with patience and utmost accuracy. Then all the teams registered in succession except Team 10, as they had issues with their visa and they could not make it for the start of the rally.
 

 
Next on the agenda was the all-important briefing. During the briefing the teams were taught that they should use their sense of humor rather than questioning the system in India. After briefing all the teams were asked to find their way to the practice ground in a suburb quite far from the base hotel.
 

 
By 1.30 pm Team 13 ‘Morning Glory’ was the first team at the ground. They got there by using a local taxi tuk tuk. I believe that the driver gave them a fair idea of how to drive a tuk tuk, or rather how not to. One by one all of the teams (except Team 10) assembled at the practice ground and with a small instruction and introduction to the machine all the teams started their practice. In no time they all became good drivers. After an hour of practice they were taught a few other drills to master the Indian traffic. A small competition to test their skills was conducted there and then when they were all asked to fill up the fuel tank in the closest filling station. I went completely wrong by mentioning that there is a fuel station within 2km of the ground and all the teams held a grudge against me for that misguidance… until the welcome party that is, where I repaid them by offering a beer.

 
Cheers! Down came the party at Elements Hostel at around 8 pm. There were a few teams who missed the party being too tired. But the first day came to an end with the two Irish men from Team 11 ‘The Paddy Losties’ enduring the party till right till the end. They lived up to their national pride.

Tamilnadu Run 2017 Day 2

 

 
The Mini challenge day becomes a Mega challenge day for this rally. We from Travel Scientists thought of a novel idea to keep the participants interested and to feel the local culture and introduced a cooking challenge with the help of Round Table members. The cooking task was to cook Pongal, a traditional rice dish, by themselves from the ingredients provided by us.

 

 
It was around 12 noon that all the teams had assembled at the lobby. After a small briefing on what is expected to be done for the day and a brief description of the route, all the teams started to the school that Round Table India support. The school is also the venue for the Pongal cooking competition. Everything went smoothly and the teams were offered dhotis and sarees (for men and women respectively). What a day it turned out to be: everyone had fun making Pongal and the eventual winner of the completion was Team 2 ‘Pickey Boys’. The teams were judged by the school teacher and the Round Table coordinator Mr Vasu. The teams were flagged off by the Round Tablers and made it back to the base hotel it was around 5.30 pm. Looking forward more fun and excitement in the coming days!
 

 

Chennai

 
Chennai, which is also the final stop of the event, is by far the largest city in Tamilnadu. The state’s capital, and one of the country’s largest cities, Chennai makes a great first stop when visiting India. While not as showy as other comparable metropolises, there are plenty sites to keep you occupied. Popular activities include a stroll along Marina Beach (pictured above), India’s longest natural urban beach, and visiting Fort St George, the impressive English fortress built in  the 17th Century.
 

Pondicherry

 
The second stop on the Tamilnadu Run offers a very different experience of India. Pondicherry (now officially known as Puducherry) was a French colony until the mid 20th century, and their influence is still felt by the architecture, cuisine, and general vibe of the place. Though relatively small, the city offers a great chance to compare the effects of various cultural influences: visit the Tamil and French quarters, see the traditional Indian temples and colonial Roman Catholic Churches, and of course, taste how Tamil and French cooking (and excellent seafood) combine! There are also many fabulous beaches.
 

Thanjavur

 
The next stop, Thanjavur, is one of India’s oldest cities, and Tamil Nadu’s religious and cultural heart. Here you’ll find many important temples alongside ruins of ancient empires. The Brihadeeswara Temple, pictured above, is over a thousand years old and one of India’s architectural treasures. The city is also home to Saraswathi Mahal Library, one of the oldest libraries in Asia. Famous for its painting, music, and dance, its impossible to get bored in Thanjavur.
 

Yercaud

 
In Yercaud, a picturesque hill station, you can get away from the searing heat and constant rush of Indian cities. Once popular among the British, who were attracted by its cool climate, Yercaud is a natural paradise, and the perfect place to relax. Its name means Lake Forest, referring to the glorious lake (surrounded by, predictably, forest) around which Yercaud is centered. Plentiful coffee and citrus fruits, amongst other crops, are grown here, and its no surprise Yercaud earned the nickname the Jewel of the South.
 

Thiruvannamalai

 
The penultimate stop of the Tamilnadu Run is Thiruvannamalai, often known as Moon City, which has attracted pilgrims for several millennia. Every month at full moon, the town attracts thousands of religious devotees, who gather at the base of Arunchala mountain. Located here is Annamalaiyar Temple, an important religious site, with a structure dating back to the 9th Century. Dedicated to Shiva, this is one of India’s largest and most impressive temples.
 

 

Cardamon

 
Both green and black cardamom seeds are essential South Indian spices and are popular all over the region. Green cardamom is the most popular, and most versatile,  used in everything from spice mixes (like garam masala) to desserts. Black cardamom has a powerful, smoky taste, and the pod can be incredibly spicy. As well as its delicious flavour, cardamom is revered for its health benefits: it’s said to possess numerous favourable qualities, including being anti-carcinogenic, anti-depressant, a detoxicant, and a cure for gum disease! By weight, it is the world’s third most expensive spice.
 

Tamarind

 
Tamarind is actually a fruit, whose insides are sour though they can become sweeter, depending on ripeness. Often used as a paste, it’s an important feature of South Indian cuisine, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, where it’s mixed with chilli powder, and Tamilnadu, where it is the most commonly used souring agent. Used in everything from stews to sauces, desserts to drinks, it’s also prominent in the West as an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.
 
 

Red Chilli

 
Perhaps the most famous of all essential South Indian spices is red chilli. Brought to India by the Portuguese, their former colony of Goa is still known for its chilli-based curries like Vindaloo. However, chilli is now an important part of cooking all over South India, and three-quarters of chillis exported from India actually come from Andhra Pradesh, not coincidentally known as home to the spiciest food on the subcontinent. Chillis are usually dried and ground up into a powder, though can be used whole, for example in tadka. If you can handle the spice, they also regarded as good for your health.
 
 

Turmeric

Black Pepper

 
Though popular worldwide, black pepper is native to South India, originating in the Western Ghats and the Malabar Coast. The heavy, regular, rainfall of the region provides the perfect conditions for growing the spice, which the area still exports to much of the world. Usually ground straight onto dishes, black pepper is also very good for your health: it speeding up the metabolism, strengthening bones, and protects the liver!
 
 

Clove

 
Though originally found on Indonesia’s Maluku islands, cloves are now one of the essential South Indian spices. The dried flower buds provide a characteristicly warm flavour, and the whole bud is often cooked in oil or ghee to spice a dish, though too much can overpower other flavours. Cloves have long be known to be healthy, and play a role in tradition Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
 
 

Nutmeg

 
Nutmeg is the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, which also originated in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia; another spice, mace, is derived from the seed’s dark red shell. Ground then dried, nutmeg adds warth to a dish and is often used in biryanis, although, unlike in Western cuisine, South Indians rarely add it to desserts. While nutmeg contains many healthy nutrients, and in medium doses is an effective anti-depressant, avoid consuming large quantities: it’s actually a dangerously powerful hallucinogenic!
 
 

Cassia (or cinnamon)

 
Cassia, derived from the bark of a Chinese evergreen tree, is one of the essential South Indian spices, and is often sold abroad by the name cinnamon. True (Ceylon) cinnamon, derived from Sri Lanka, is rarer. Cassia, sometimes known as Chinese cinnamon, has a slightly sweeter taste than its namesake and is another spice that Indians use to flavour savoury dishes, while being a popular dessert topping in the West.
 

Taste the essential South Indian spices!

If you want to experience true South Indian food, as well the region’s glorious scenery and thriving culture, why not join us for a Rickshaw Challenge adventure rally? The next race is the Classic Run, a week long trip from Chennai to Trivandrum, beginning on December 28th 2016. You’ll have the chance to experience the wonderful cuisines — and essential South Indian spices — of Tamilnadu and Kerala, while having the adventure of a lifetime!
 

Day 3

 
On the morning of the 17th when I reached hotel around 7 am, Team 8, 9 and 10 were already waiting at the hotel lobby. As usual the luggage tags were distributed and they tagged their bags and went for breakfast. All the teams had arrived by 7.30 am. The roundtable members joined us at 7.45 am to do the flag off. The briefing was given at 8 am and all the teams were briefed about the road condition, day’s activity and about the base hotel. Then the Roundtablers introduced themselves and spoke about their projects. Finally the teams were flagged off at 8.30 am. Whaav! Most of the teams had nice costumes and some of the teams had done nice makeovers for the vehicle. A special mention to Team 4 (Neruppu Da) for their makeover in honour of recent hit Tamil movie Kabali. The Luggage truck left immediately and the support waited for an hour before they left. I managed to start around the same time when the support team started. When I closed in for the first activity challenge at Sadras Dutch fort I could see 4 to 5 teams either leaving plus some on their way to the fort.
 

 
When I was closing in for the second activity challenge, I received a call from Team 5 who had run out of petrol.  I helped them organize and they got back on road.  The rest of the day went by without any calls and all the teams arrived in the hotel well on time. Team 8 came and told us about the their experience of flat tires and how locals had helped them. Most of the teams planned their own evenings and I met few of them in the beach walking. The day was almost full moon and the moon was rising on the horizon at around 7.30 pm: it was a beautiful sight for an enjoyable walk in the beach side.
 

 

Day 4

 
The early birds of team 10 – the Contemporary nomads – were there before I came to lobby at 7 am. Well within half an hour all the teams dropped their bags and went for breakfast. Being a long day with narrow roads, I had warned the teams to keep up their time on an activity packed day. The first call came from Team 10 at around 12.30 am and they were closing in on the Vaitheeswaran Koil activity. The service team took no time as they were close and the problem was sorted out. At Vaitheeswaran Koil I met Team 7 and Team 5. The rest of the day went without any problem. All teams came to Tanjavur right on time and most of them jumped in to the pool of the base hotel Parisutham. Team 6 Rayan went on a drinking spree and had to sleep out of their room as it got locked. This he told me when I met him the next morning…
 

 

Day 5

 
Driving to a small hill station, Yercaud, was the agenda for the day. The teams were tasked with a photo challenge. Team 4 and Team 10 left early to avoid excess heat and traffic. But things did not go according to the plan. Team 4 had a break down just before Tiruchi. They lost lot of time but got back on road before the service team could reach them. Rest was all smooth until I got the call from the luggage truck. We realised we had given a wrong address for the hotel. They we took some correction measure through message and facebook.  Team 2 had some break down before a place called Musuri and it was set right by our service team.  The first team to arrive in the base hotel was Team 4 and one by one all of them came with the last team arriving at 6.30 pm.  Few of them claimed the different road (Google mistake). Team 11 missed the hotel and went to the wrong address, but came back to the right address eventually. This meant everyone was accounted for and ready to continue the Tamilnadu Run the next morning!
 
 
 

Day 1

It was around 8.30 am when I reached the base hotel in Chennai, which to my surprise had been renamed from Deccan Plaza to Hotel Regency Plaza. I wondered what this could mean for the participants from all round the world who were informed of the hotel name one month before the start of this event. A local taxi tuk tuk (a tuksi) driver recognized me and asked me “when are the auto’s coming?” There’s always such frenzy that these rallies have registered in local minds.
We opened the kit and spread it across for distribution. The first team to register was Team 10, from Switzerland, the “Contemporary Nomads”.  Johan and Christel are couple from the chocolate country, who were excited and the same time had no clue what to expect. As we discussed the madness of the rallies, they were pretty amused about the event and revealed they had been looking forward to the it from the moment they had paid. The tool kit, the medical kit and the other accessories took them by surprise.

 
Slowly, one-by-one, the teams started registering and checking in to the hotel.  Team 5 (Let’s Go Jozi) arrived at the hotel at 11 am, which was exactly when we had scheduled our briefing. And there was still no news from Team 11. All the remaining teams had their ear to the ground for the all-important briefing. After the briefing, the organizing team and I prepared to leave for the practice. That was the time Team 11 landed at the hotel reception for the check-in. I quickly went through the plans for them and asked them to join us at Practice. It was 100% roll call for the practice. All teams were pretty excited to look at their rickshaws for the first time and they were spell bound.  It took a while for them to come to reality and start the practice. The practice started at 2pm and went on till 4pm.
 
Relaxing at Elements Hostel
We wrapped up the day session and teams started their first day drive to the Hotel. It was an pretty smooth day as almost all the teams made it in to the hotel before I got back. Team 2 experienced a small snare in their drive back and was eventually attended by some locals, but still made it to the hotel. Then it was time for the welcome party at the Elements hostel roof top, the perfect place to relax! Beers stories and getting to know each other followed. All of them had great time and Team 11 (Shannan) endured a whole night of pub hopping and fun.