The Who Our Rickshaw Run had 84 teams (2-3 people each) competing to see who can make it across India with all their limbs and ‘shaws intact, almost all of whom were foreigners. Having a local on your team kind of takes all the fun and challenge out of the Rickshaw Run 😉 Meet “Teen Romanchak Yaar”
Usually around 95% of the teams are able to limp across the finish line eventually, but there are always those few individuals who manage to crash their rickshaw into a temple, get kidnapped, or just plain end up having to dive out of their rickshaw as it bursts into flames on the open road and then just stand around, watching it and all their possessions burn to a crisp. (I’m looking your way Brad!)
The What How silly of me, this whole time you have probably been wondering “what the fuck is a rickshaw?!” A rickshaw, also known as a tuk-tuk or bajaj, is a petrol-powered three-wheeled vehicular device of dubious safety used throughout Asia to transport people short distances. Key words there being “short distances.” They are not designed for or capable of driving 3,000km in two weeks without breaking down, not even brand new. Only a madman would attempt such a thing…
Of course this is not good enough for The Adventurists, who also run other such epic adrenaline overloads as The Ice Run and Mongol Rally. My suspicion that they purposely purchase the most rickety of the rickshaw in order to keep things interesting has been confirmed:
“They are intentionally crap, but some are more intentionally crap than others.”
The Where Our Rickshaw Run begins in Jaisalmer, located in the far west of India. From there we had two weeks to cross the finish line in Shillong, a city at the far east of India, past Bangladesh and Bhutan. There is no set route. Every team is free to go whichever way they please.
And for those of you who don’t know where India is but are too afraid to ask
The When We did our Rickshaw Run back in 2015 but you can still do yours. There are three held every year across the three different sides of India. Check out the Adventurists web site for more information.
The Why Why not? This is one of those events that can drive someone insane. Luckily those who are already essentially there (lucky me?) tend to feel the most sane when in insane situations.
On another, more serious note, it’s also for a good cause. All teams competing in the Rickshaw Run are obligated to raise a minimum of £1,000 ($1,500 USD) for local charities working within India. Together with the help of friends, readers and fellow travel bloggers, $4,047 was raised to be split between:
Working alongside indigenous villages to halt rainforest destruction
Supporting sustainable social and environmental solutions
Videos & Adventures From Our Rickshaw Run
Rickshaw Run Videos + FAQ
Our long-awaited Rickshaw Run video series is back in full production. There are a total of six videos up so far and even more in the works. For those just tuning in, earlier this year I checked another item off my travel bucket list: the mother fucking Rickshaw Run! My good friend and fellow…
Live Broadcasting Our Rickshaw Run!
In two days I’ll be arriving in India to begin final preparations for the Rickshaw Run, which begins April 6th. One of the unique things my team and I have decided to do with this project is to strap four GoPros on our rickshaw and record every teeth-rattling nail-biting “oh crap I think I just…
My Wildest Adventure Yet!
You’ve no doubt noticed it already. Perhaps you’ve felt that nagging feeling in the back of your head. Maybe you just haven’t been able to sleep as well the last couple weeks. Or shake the belief that something is suddenly missing from your life, despite the fact your daily routine has not altered. That’s My…
Preparing For The Unpreparable: The Rickshaw Run 2015
What started as a drunken bar promise somewhere in Thailand back in 2013 has finally, nearly two full years later, become a reality: my buddy and fellow travel blogger Ryan and I are competing in the Rickshaw Run in just over three weeks from now. Although it is with a different lady than we originally…
Pimping Our Rickshaw And Other Rickshaw Run 2015 Updates
As the rickshaw run draws closer and closer, Ryan and I have begun working on “pimping our rickshaw” with a stylish design and snazzy paint job. Thanks to one loyal supporter, Jessica Shultz — winner of the Name Our Rickshaw contest — we have an amazing team name: दौ रौमानचीक यार which is pronounced Do…
An Extreme 3-Wheeled 3,000km Rickshaw Race Across India
What is the only thing more insane than the roads of India? A 3,000 kilometre (1,900 mile) two week long race across the country on three wheels! Of course rather than competing against locals, this race is aimed at foreigners. That’s right, foreigners who may have an international drivers license but have absolutely no idea…
The HoliDaze Travel Plans For 2015
As someone who makes a living off not planning anything, it feels a bit strange writing a post about my upcoming plans. Nevertheless here I am. There are so many exciting happening with The HoliDaze in 2015 that I would be remiss if I didn’t share them with you, my loyal reader. After all it’s…