| Thousands of kilometres and two weeks after wobbling out of Pondicherry in the far south of India, the teams taking on the mighty Rickshaw Run Winter 2009 have all rolled into the hill station of Shillong.
Travelling up to 4000km in tiny three-wheeled auto-rickshaws, the teams got stuck into the official arrival ceremony and party, and of course got thrashed at cricket by the local team (even after attempted cheating from one of the runners!).
Team Cumin or Goan seem to have had the most adventuresome approach to the finish line. Their recent updates describe a spicy climax to their journey...
Saturday 17th January
“An eventful day. The road blocks got worse with both the Ghorkaland and West Bengal factions each arming up with clubs, bows and arrows and anything else that looked threatening. On our way out of Siliguri we were nearly stopped by a group of a hundred or so men who got violent. When we drove through them they hit out at us and smashed up our rickshaw. We were covered in glass but were otherwise unhurt, and managed to escape this and another 100km of further blocks and vigilanties on motorbikes … Very relieved!”
Tuesday 20th January
“Had only got 3 miles today before being stopped by heavily armed soldiers and told that most travel in Assam was banned. We smiled, pleaded, and looked apologetic - seemed to work until they ordered us to follow them to the police station. After chatting to a harmless looking gent in khaki, we were waved on.
The previously intimidating police (with machine guns) saluted him smartly, mounted a jeep, and proceeded to escort us. We were waved through towns, blockades, traffic lights, borders and even into a fuel station where armed men escorted Tamsyn to the toilet. Trucks were shown guns and ordered to move aside and buses slowed when we approached. We proceeded over the next 200km in true presidential cavalcade style, and in record time!”
After such a really rather feisty couple of days, team Cumin or Goan managed to roll across the finish line in suitable style, having run out of petrol!
“'Rolled' is the word because we'd ran out of fuel a mile from the finish and jamie had to push Ghandi up hill. Grrr, manly man. A bottle of Champagne later and the adventure was finally complete.”
On Saturday when nearly all the teams had found their way to Shillong, the arrival festivities were held, with huge support from the local authorities.
Richard from team Rotary Rockets said:
“The [finish ceremony] was marked by a hugh parade through Shillong, a cricket match with the local team and the final wind up celebration. Everyone had great stories to tell and as always, a common stressful experience had brought everyone close together. Great party with the entertainment supplied by the local talent.”
Jesus from Team Jackal said:
“Well, The Jackal made it. After 3,800 km, four major rivers, two mountain ranges and countless mechanical problems, Team Jackal crossed the finish line on the 14 of January. Now I'm ready to start the celebration!”
Anna Maria from India Anna Maria and the Raiders of the Lost Rob said:
“Wow….what an adventure. Finishing has been bittersweet. I’m actually going to miss our little rickshaw…I’m obviously not going to miss driving her 12 hours a day….but I will definitely miss her. Rob is talking about figuring out how to import one to the States….I hope he does!
Arriving at our final destination seemed almost impossible two weeks ago. I just couldn’t imagine covering such a huge distance…staring death in the face as huge trucks came at us head-on….dealing with another bus running me off the road…. dodging another cow, goat, person, bike, or chicken….Feeling my insides get rearranged with every pothole…..but here we are! Looking back it was both a long tiresome experience yet it also went by like a flash and I’d do it again in a heartbeat…strange how it’s possible to feel such opposite emotions.”
All in another splendid Rickshaw Run – more highlights and photos are coming from the teams and news of the overall amount raised for the official charities is on the way.
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