Today on the Smiles Team...First Across the Finish Line

Arrived in Shillong to find we were first to finish. That was unexpected. Keep at it teams. Can't wait to see you at the Finish line.

Today on the Smiles and Miles team...into the Himalayas

After about 5 days without phone or internet connectivity, we've re-surfaced, in Darjeeling. Today's climb of 8,000 feet was interesting. Tracey and Richard needed to hop out and push up the steepest bits while Milees navigated the switchbacks like a pro. When we reached the washed out road, a half dozen road workers picked up the entire rig and carried it safely to the other side. Now nestled in the middle of Nepal, Tibet, Butan & Bangldesh, it feels like we've left India entireley. Tomorrow we start the descent and head to Assam.

Today on the Smiles & Miles team...we receive our auto rickshaw/lawnmower driving permits

We finally meet our auto rickshaw face-to-face and it's love at first sight. The talented painter who re-created Mark Cromwell's fabulous design was suprisingly pleasant as he described the tedious two days requiredd for the task. We didn't make it easy for him. But he agrees that it was worth it.

As our test-driving begins, Miles handles it like the pro driver he is...driving while hanging out the side waving at his roaring fans - all two of us. Tracey squeels with delight that she's actually able to start the engine with that crazy pull lever that requires super-human strength. For her, everything after this is a bonus. And Richard? Well, poor Richard, we sent him out without fuel and he ran out right in the middle of a sand pit. It took all of his formidable brawn to push the auto rickshaw out of the sand and back to the paddock.

In the end, we all passed the test without too much effort and are cleared for take-off.

Today on the Smiles and Miles team...riding camels across the desert

The 12+ hour time change plays to our advantage when we're easily up at 4 a.m. and headed into the depths of the Thar Desert. The sunrise is completely underwhelming but the camel safari is truly hysterical. Richard handles the camel like the seasoned camel pro that he is. Miles has a hard time adjusting to travelling only slightly above a snail's pace and Tracey is grinning from ear to ear and struck by an unstoppable fit of giggles.

Today on the Smiles & Miles team...we're into India

After 48 straight hours by car, plane, car, train and trusty auto rickshaw we arrive in Jaisalmer. More to follow once we recover from the 12+ hour time change. For now...Sleep.

Today on the Smiles & Miles team...we're off

Yesterday on the Smiles and Miles team...we leave family and home behind and in good hands as we head to Frankfurt. Next stop, Delhi.

Introducing the Smiles & Miles Team

Long-time friends and members of the Hot Potato Auto Racing Team, the three of us normally travel together for racing events throughout North America. We considered the Ice Run, but we’re from Canada and have an Ural as our daily ride, so that’s really just another day. The Rickshaw Run seemed like a fairly calm and relaxing change of pace, and a great way to draw some attention to our causes – Cool Earth, Free the Children and the Veterans Food Bank.

### **Miles (The Brains) **


Instigator, inspirer, and ingenious mind. Age: kid-at-heart. Early years: playing bagpipes & racing a luge to the Olympics. Role on the Hot Potato Race Car Team: Team Manager, Speedy Driver, Mechanic, Chef. Adventure Credentials: Travelled around the world overland, drove an Ural sidecar rig through 20 countries & 3 continents, and took passage on a cargo ship across the Atlantic. Normal mode of transport: Very fast, frighteningly fast & blindingly fast. Driving accidents: Nothing that everyone hasn’t walked away from (unless you count the luge). Most likely to be found … enjoying a gourmet meal I whip up on the side of the road.

### **Tracey (The Beauty)**


Detailed, delicate and derailed. Age: I’m neither a wine nor a cheese, so it doesn’t matter. Most comfortable language: Charades. Early years: Working my way through University as a fashion model. Role on the Hot Potato Race Car Team: Umbrella girl. Adventure credentials: 25 years side-by-side with Miles…need I say more? Most spontaneous adventure: Flying half way around the world for a birthday weekend. Normal mode of transport: Karmann Ghia. Most likely to be found … sipping a mango lassi.

### **Richard (The Brawn)**


Handy, hard- working, and hardly ever at home. Age: Old enough to know better. Family: Father to Sarah, husband to Nancy. They’ll both be cheering on the team and following along from 11,000 km away. Sarah is counting the days until she’s old enough for a motorcycle license & her own Rickshaw Run. Early years: Milking cows (before the dawn of robots). First time managing motorized handlebars: Seriously? At the age of 5, I was herding cows on a homemade scooter. Role on the Hot Potato Race Car Team: Transport driver, Paddock manager. Adventure credentials: No stranger to conflict zones, Richard has been part of several U.N. missions and maneuvered through some of the world’s toughest conditions. Driving accidents: None… yet. Bionic part: Hip. Most likely to be found … munching on something out of a crinkly cellophane bag.