Kiwi trio take on 3000km rickshaw ride
Three Kiwis, one rickshaw, 3000km across India to complete the Rickshaw Run.
That’s the challenge Nelsonians Rachel Wallen, Warrick Hamilton and Francesca McAdam will soon embark to raise money for two charities: Cool Earth and Nelson’s Child Cancer Foundation.
It’s known as ‘‘easily the least sensible thing to do’’, according to The Adventurists’ website who operate the Rickshaw Run three times a year.
The trio will make one of about 40 teams calling themselves: Dude, Where’s My Cow?
‘‘Cows are sacred in India. So we thought if we disguised ourselves, or our tuk tuk [auto rickshaw], as a cow then no one will want to hit us or anything, and they might want to kind of look after us in a way,’’ teammate Rachel Wallen said.
The ‘‘crazy’’ race falls at the end of the monsoon season in August and they are expecting some serious challenges and to have a lot of fun.
It will take about two weeks to traverse the length of India from Cochin in the south over 3000km of tumultuous terrain to Jaisalmer in the north.
But Wallen said to complete the race totally depended on the number of mechanical failures they faced and whether or not the ‘‘glorified lawnmower’’ managed to dodge potholes, river crossings and the mass of dirt roads along the way.
She was hopeful they could manage it. The only way they could possibly prepare for the whacky adventure was to pack plenty of duct tape and zip ties, Wallen said.
‘‘I don’t think you can really prepare for something like this.’’
Two days before the race Wallen, Hamilton and McAdam will be taught how to change a tyre and given some handy hints to keep them on track.
But the Kiwi team has an advantage – inside race information. A few years ago, Wallen said a friend of hers completed the race.
‘‘[He said] it’s the most amazing thing in the world. Just seeing things in India you would have never have imagined coming across.’’
The team said the race would be ‘‘immensely fun in a crazy, whacky, life changing experience kind of way’’.
While the team counts down the days until they board the plane they have been busy raising funds for their two causes.
They have already met their goal to raise $1000 for Cool Earth and are continuing to raise money for the local Child Cancer Foundation.
To donate and follow the Dude, Where’s My Cow? team’s progress you can find them on Facebook, or donate directly to their Everydayhero page. https:/ /centralevents.everydayhero.com/nz/dude-where-s-my-cow