Punctures, monkeys, TV interviews, breakdowns, bribes, elephants, awesome scenery and adventure straight from the top drawer – the first 5 days of the Rickshaw Run have done exactly what it says on the tin…
The first puncture hit Planet Poggis two hours after the start. The auto-rickshaw is a mighty fine vehicle, nimble round town and full of character. One thing it is most definitely not is an offroad, trans-continent expedition prepared 4 wheel drive jeep.
In the first four days of this fine Run from Fort Kochi in southern India to Kathmandu in Nepal, an impressive list of vehicular challenges have already presented themselves to the brave teams. Here’s a list of current symptons taken from the team text message updates from the road:
- 1st gear and neutral gone AWOL
- Broken headlight
- First puncture within couple of hours for Planetpoggis team
- Broken Indicators
- Unknown fuel issue
- Broken roof rack
- Gearbox and wheel bearings shot
- Drive shaft broke on the way and tuk tuk very poorly.
- More punctures!
- Broken muffler
- Engine overheated and seized up
- Bolts falling off the exhaust
Away from the technical pickles, there are a fair number of ‘numb bums’, some scrapes and bruises, some teams who seem to be laughing their way to Nepal and others coming across some awesome sights.
Team Snailpace sent this update on Day 4:
“Todays highlight: four 50 ft pink horses pulling an 80 ft chariot. Mad as a bag of frogs!”
“Crap we have just broken down” was a timely update from Clacton-on-Sea-Mystery-Tours team who came to a halt as they were texting their updates to the website!
PlanetPoggis last update sounds like even the most normal every day things take on a new twist when you’re living life on the road in a three-wheeler:
“Went for quiet pooh in bushes but they were already occupied. Population!”
Keep your eye on the text updates for more gems straight from the road as the teams point their mighty three-wheelers towards Kathmandu...