who we are and what we do

[gallery] ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49335/480x480.jpeg) ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49336/480x480.jpeg) ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49337/480x480.jpeg) ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49338/480x480.jpeg) ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49339/480x480.jpeg) ![file](//uploaded-files.theadventurists.com/images/gallery09/4637/49340/480x480.jpeg) [/gallery]

Geoff Hopwood
Of IN-DIA la vida loca
On the The Rickshaw Run Winter 2011 04:13 UTC 24th March 2010

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

who we are and what we do

Geoff Hopwood

Load Geoff

Alex Berce

Load Alex

Tom Whiting

Load Tom

Welcome to our site...So the three of us are planning on travelling from here to here (see map, which may or may not be attached depending on if we work out how to) it’s close to 3000kms in the least suitable vehicle, an Autorickshaw (or tuk tuk)The start point is Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. A ludicrously picturesque setting with forts that sprout out of the desert and finely sculptured Jain temples, it stands on a ridge of sandstone and is aptly nicknamed 'The Golden City'. Where better to begin an epic three wheeling bout of glorious mayhem than the very heart of the Rajasthan desert?From here we drive, push and pull our little rickshaw through thousands of miles of desert, jungle, coastline and generally stunning vistas to Cochin, a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic state of Kerala.For the un-initiated, an Auto rickshaw is basically a ride-on lawnmower….With a pounding heart of 145.45cc pushing 7hp of raw power to the wheels the Indian Auto Rickshaw is engineering at its... well perhaps not its best. Driving the beast might not be the fastest thing we'll ever do, but by goodness it brings a smile to the face. Loud, uncomfortable, prone to breaking down and completely useless at protecting you from the elements, they are possibly the least suitable vehicle for covering the entire sub-continent in 2 weeks. On the whole mechanical knowledge topic that’s probably best described through quotes passersby are likely to hear…. “I saw it once on top gear”, “I’m pretty sure that’s the air filter” and “nah-nah-nah turn it round, it has to go on that way, doesn’t it?”Engine:                                   2 stroke, single cylinder, forced air cooledEngine Size:                            145.45cc Power:                                     7 HP at 5000 rpmTourque:                                 12.17 Nm at 3500 rpmTransmision:                           4 forward, 1 reverseBrakes:                                   Hydraulic expanding shoeFuel Capacity:                         8 ltr inc. 1.4 reserveTop speed:                              55 kmph Weight:                                   277kg Exhibit A<img src="images/gallery09/49339/400x400.jpeg" />Awesome hey!Furthermore, it’s a race - for bragging rights…. And boy  do we like to Brag. We are entrusted with said Auto rickshaw, a start line and a finish line. Nothing else. There’s no support, no back up, and certainly no service vehicle. We’re on our own, and how (and if)  we get there is up to us.The purpose is, and this is where you kind folk come in to the picture, to raise dollar-dollar bills for those who are unable to access clean drinking water in India.The Plug: The Rickshaw Run is all about raising a huge bucket of cash for a worthy cause. On this occasion the worthy cause is all the good people at FRANK Water Projects. FRANK Water funds sustainable clean water projects in developing countries across the world. To date FRANK Water has funded 30 village projects in India, bringing clean water to more than 200,000 people. (For more information go to <a href="http://www.frankwater.com/">www.frankwater.com</a>)You can find a link to our JustGiving fundraising page on the left of this site. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure, so please dig deep and donate now and help this wonderful charity continue its amazing work.<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/indialavidaloca" target="_blank"> </a> $parse[justgivingwidget_2806265]It only costs £1 to provide clean, healthy drinking water for one person, for life, so every pound counts! The three of us have had some pretty good adventures in the past, and this should prove to be a good’n too. Once the wheels are in motion (yeah I did just drop that metaphor), you’ll be able to check back here to see where we are and how we’re going. With a bit of luck we’ll make the distance and be sipping G&T’s in no time. However, past blogs and our guesstimation suggests it’s more likely we will be stuck somewhere trying to ferry the rickshaw across a river precariously balanced between two small boats. Alternatively, we will be broken-down attempting to weld the chassis back together with nothing more than a coat hanger and a cigarette lighter…. What we do know is that our lack of knowledge, preparation and weight (almost more than the tuk tuk) will make this trip damn good fun. Mums, please note we have insurance. Oh and just for ghits and siggles, we need to ‘pimp our rickshaw’ (that means paint it for those using the internet for the first time) we’ve chosen to go with the theme “Thomas the tuk-tuk”. Our Indian version of the British classic should look pretty good once we take a can of blue paint and some red reflectors to it. As if it wasn’t getting silly enough, we’ve also decided to all dress as the fat controller… complete with top hat. So raise a glass of chai, and drop some dollars in support, for team…….in-dia-la-vi-da-loca Stage note: cue bollywood themed riky martin poster, fireworks and theme song Ring of fire by Johnny cash.

Team IN-DIA la vida loca

who we are and what we do

who we are and what we do