| Take three-wheeled tin cans fit for ridiculous adventure, add 60-odd teams from round the world willing to drive them the length of India, and there are just a few more essential ingredients necessary for a mighty Rickshaw Run. The Winter 2009 edition begins tomorrow from Pondicherry in the far south and teams will adventure their way all the way to Shillong... a long way to the north and east of where they are now! But even before the launch, essential elements of the adventure pie are underway... Pimping! Long Distance and in the field Many teams took up the opportunity to 'Pimp my Rickshaw' with the marvellous online tool provided by organisers The Adventurists. It's a simple but effective beast - one internets up a revolving online rickshaw and designs a suitable technicolour coat for it to wear among jungles and across plains. Once the paintjob is submitted teams can also add on essential bits and pieces like stereos and other gubbins. All the details are sent over to the team in India who dress up each 'shaw and add all the bits just in time for the team's arrival. Rahul from team Auto-Pilots said: "We've made it to the starting point. So far so good... Oh, and we've checked out our autorickshaw with the custom made paintjob and it looks great! Did some test driving as well. There are loads of other teams with all sorts of designs. New year's eve party tonight..." So far it seems team Mahatma Coat may end up with the accolade of most/best pimped Rickshaw, judging by comments from fellow Runners. In their latest blog from Pondicherry some of their custom-made additions included: "Flag pole erect and flag flying Battery upgraded to help power gadgets and stereo Tent found abandoned at summer festival attached to rickshaw sides in case of monsoon" The Start Line location and a suitable party The start and finish points of each Rickshaw Run are crucial to the adventure and so far it seems the Winter 2009 teams are loving Pondicherry, in the far south of India and right on the coast. Alex from team Road Raj said: "Pondicherry is a beautiful coastal town and there are french influences all around, from the road names, the food, the red policeman caps and the beautiful architecture. It is a good place to aclimatise before the fun begins." Annie from team Mango Tango Tour Bus said: "We love pondi so much we may not leave (although the baby lotion school of mozzy repellent has appeared to have failed so its back to jungle formula and gin)." Test Driving the Rickshaws Before each Rickshaw Run there is a test driving day held in the UK, with much help and assistance from Mr Steve at the Southampton based Tuk Shop (thanks Mr. Steve!). But when the teams arrive at the start line, they also have time to learn the ropes, speak to some auto-rickshaw driving experts and generally get the feel of their trusty new steads. However, judging by a recent blog from Rodney in team Naan Like Us, some have had a baptism of fire! "We also got to practice driving yesterday and today in a private compound, which was a great idea as everyone was in the learning mode. As far as I know only 1 minor casualty when someone flipped their rig during the learning process. He found out you can't put it in reverse turn the front wheel and pop the clutch. We are getting ready to put our finishing touches on an then Peter and I will be off to take a nap before celebrating the New Year with all the other teams at the Kick Off Party." All other vital ingredients of a downright splendid no-back up tuk tuk adventure across India are about to reveal themselves on this here website. The New Year's Eve Launch Party, the start line, the launch day, the two weeks of cross-continent three-wheeled adventuring and for those that make it, the finish line! The teams will be sending updates in from the road so check back for news of tomorrow's launch and tales from the teams. | Images from top to bottom:
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Teams arrive in Pondicherry for Rickshaw Run Winter 2009
By Dan Wedgwood