After taking my life into my own hands to ride with Dukes of the Green to the finish line, the other teams also had their share of adventure from vandalised rickshaws, roadside parties and encounters with the police. Everyone made it to Trivandrum in more or less one piece, not quite sure if the same could be said for the rickshaws, though. But who won this year’s Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run?
Day 9, Kanniyakumari – Trivandrum
Before the flag off in Kanniyakumari, Team Apathy got a surprise as they mourned loss of their “trophy”, as they found their rickshaw had been vandelised, but which team was responsible?
On the way to Kerala, Aussie teams the Bob Billies, Mighty Mouse and the Triangle and the Mighty Ducks stopped off to have a roadside dance party, and South African team Hakuna Matatu got a small fine for not having the correct license to drive a tuk-tuk, but still managed to keep a smile up for the rest of the trip.
All our teams (minus Dukes of the Green I and II) made it to the cathedral and drove to the hotel for the official flag down. After saying good bye to their trusty rickshaws, taking souvenirs with them of their trusty steeds they went into the hotel for the announcement of the winning team.
Team Shawmacker, comprised of Sintija, Swa and Jana, took the grand prize and won a place to come with us to the next Central Asia Rally, Rice to the Challenge got the award for raising the most money for charity, Dukes of the Green got the bozo award… and Team Apathy got their own trophy, the one they made for themselves, back.
After a few speeches from participants, it was time to unwind and then party late into the night. Apropos of tradition, the Bob Billies hosted yet another after party that went on into the night.
Our teams might be going their separate ways to different parts of India and then other corners of the globe, we can see almost everyone is going home with friends for life!
But the tale of adventure isn’t over yet, keep up with our stories on the Rickshaw Challenge blog for more three-wheeled madness.
