Let's look back at the Malabar Rampage Rickshaw Challenge 2017. Julia Krohmer was a participant on the Malabar Rampage Rickshaw Challenge 2017, along with her team: the Frankfurt Samurai Tigers. We asked her what she thought about the challenge and for her to recount some of her favorite moments were. Here are our questions, her answers, plus her wonderful photos from the event! She provides great insights for anyone considering signing up for a Rickshaw Challenge. Why did you decide to sign up for the Rickshaw Challenge Malabar Rampage 2017? A friend of ours (Uwe Harmening) had participated in the Classic Run three years ago and was so happy and excited about this experience that he quickly convinced us to join in as well. What did you expect and what did you get? We expected an adventurous (without stress) and funny travel experience off the beaten path in a beautiful country – and that’s exactly what we got! But we got even more: The great exchange with the many other teams, the international atmosphere among all participants, and the easy and enriching contact with the population all along the trip. What was your scariest experience on the road? There was not one – we found the traffic in fact amazingly organized, based on a lot of mutual communication and attention and some common rules respected by all traffic participants – which made driving often more enjoyable than on many crowded European streets, where all drivers insist on their rights and rules. Driving in India was somehow smoother, way more flexible! I was only really shocked by the horrible health condition of some of the stray dogs we saw. What was your most positive experience during the Malabar Rampage? The warm and welcoming reactions of the
Let’s look back at the Malabar Rampage Rickshaw Challenge 2017. Julia Krohmer was a participant on the Malabar Rampage Rickshaw Challenge 2017, along with her team: the Frankfurt Samurai Tigers. We asked her what she thought about the challenge and for her to recount some of her favorite moments were. Here are our questions, her answers,
This year's Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run was as successful as ever. From Chennai all the way down to the tip of Southern India, the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run was filled with laughter and adventure. Teams traveled almost 1000 km, experiencing the region's incredible food, fascinating history, and stunning scenery. There were challenges too: the busy Indian roads, rickshaws breaking down and, of course... hangovers. Forty-six participants (from ten different countries!) took part, and since everyone was together for New Year's Eve and the 10th anniversary of the Travel Scientists, there was always a reason to celebrate! Here are some of the best memories of this year's Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run: The incredible costumes "Bonkers Award" winners The Cock and Pullet were always making people laugh with their outfits, but they weren't the only ones... It's always great to have outfits, rickshaw design, and team name all match! And everybody enjoys a team who stand out from a crowd! Practice makes perfect Driving over 500 miles in an auto tuk-tuk can be daunting experience, but training in Chennai prepared all the teams to face the Indian roads. But breakdowns happen... Of course, rickshaws are temperamental beasts. Luckily, the boys from Chennai Garage boys are always ready to fix any problem in no time. Making friends Even with policemen! Lots of friends Here is Jale from Team Magic Bird, the Classic Run overall winners, meeting the locals in one his team's many different outfits! There are always smiling faces on the road Even if they don't have seat-belts... The stunning scenery The Classic Run takes teams to some great places to relax. ... and enjoy the view. All the history A trip to India wouldn't be
This year’s Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run was as successful as ever. From Chennai all the way down to the tip of Southern India, the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run was filled with laughter and adventure. Teams traveled almost 1000 km, experiencing the region’s incredible food, fascinating history, and stunning scenery. There were challenges too: the
Three states, 1110km, 5 teams, 13 participants from 4 different countries kicked off from Panaji on 15 June 2015 on a three-wheeled mission across the Deccan Plateau to India's most populous city - Mumbai! Things didn't begin as early as planned on the Rickshaw Challenge - Deccan Odyssey 2015, since most of the teams had partied a little hard the night before the flag off, but that still didn't stop the enthusiasm from rushing in. Our hardy teams dressed up in costumes, sporting good spirits to compensate for the hangovers and eventually kicked off around 9am revving towards the first destination Belgaum. The Deccan Odyssey poses some challenges, with the weather being one of the main nuisances (or should we say "fun" aspects of the trip), since we caught the very beginning of the monsoon season. However, despite the rain, nothing could dampen the spirits of our Rickshaw Challengers and everyone was raring to go. Outside of our set challenges, the teams' biggest hurdle was perhaps the epic traffic in Pune, which was quite a shock and a talking point among the participants. Most of the teams came in late after the flag down time since they had not banked on Pune's size and congestion issues, where even with a small and nifty rickshaw, it's hard to zip in and out of the traffic. But it's all a learning curve, since one cannot simply drive into India and not learn to navigate the challenging local traffic - something we think should be on everyone's bucket list! Another thing that's often included on the India "must-do" list is the Taj Mahal. While we are no where near Agra, the Deccan Odyssey offers the next best thing: Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad. It's no coincidence though, since the architect who designed the Aurangabad copy was the son of the original Taj designer.
Three states, 1110km, 5 teams, 13 participants from 4 different countries kicked off from Panaji on 15 June 2015 on a three-wheeled mission across the Deccan Plateau to India’s most populous city – Mumbai! Things didn’t begin as early as planned on the Rickshaw Challenge – Deccan Odyssey 2015, since most of the teams had partied a little hard the night before
Kicking off on the 29 December 2014, 21 teams made up of 48 participants from 14 different nationalities began their journey in Chennai and revved down the Coromandel Coast in South India to Trivandrum in auto rickshaws. With the tail end of a cyclone to battle in the first few days, the teams didn’t get the easiest start on their journey along the coast to Pondicherry, but with some spectacular costumes and a whole load of enthusiasm - everyone kept their spirits and and got to know their trusty three-wheeled steeds on the first leg of their journey. From Pondicherry to Thanjavur the terrible Indian country roads linking up small villages between ancient temple towns made the Rickshaw Challenge live up to its name. Many teams got lost on the way and had to get rescued by Princely, the trip manager, and we actually had over 20 breakdowns on the way to Thanjavur. Before the teams could kick back and bring in the New Year in Madurai, and welcome in the 9th year of the Rickshaw Challenge, they had to tackle the road ahead, which was not without its own drama. One of the teams, Dukes of the Green, who became infamous on the Rickshaw Challenge Classic Run 2015 for their crazy antics. The participants of the Classic Run 2015 saw in the New Year in Madurai, where everyone got the chance to drink in heavy rain after tail end of a cyclone which came back to haunt everyone after leaving Pondicherry. However, most of the Challengers made it to the famous, brightly coloured Meenakshi Amman Temple the day after, even though most people partied late into the night! Once everyone recovered from the toughest days of the Classic Run and the New Year’s festivities, it was time to go
Kicking off on the 29 December 2014, 21 teams made up of 48 participants from 14 different nationalities began their journey in Chennai and revved down the Coromandel Coast in South India to Trivandrum in auto rickshaws. With the tail end of a cyclone to battle in the first few days, the teams didn’t get
