We set off from Mangaluru in quite benign conditions. That soon changed! Incredibly intense rains hit and did not ease all day.
Aqua planing was a constant threat and visibility, much less than desirable.
We pulled over to conduct a live radio interview, with Radio Leeds. After which we drove 10km down the road, to be faced with the need to back track, as the road was washed out due to a landslide that had just happened.
An alternative route, via a single track mountain road too Sambramnya was selected to get us to our intended destination of Mylore. The scenery was stunning but the road precarious! Made even more so due to the intensifying rain storm. Completely soaked, with a wiper that was purely decorative, we aqua planed around the bends, chuckling or way merrily along!
Upon reaching Sambramnya we were informed or route out of town was deep under a raging, swollen river. Furthermore almost all roads in the region were closed, due to flooding or landslides. A group of us decided to keep to the high ground and head North, with a view to hitting the N75 but this too proved too challenging for some. So all groups agreed to re direct via Putter. So after 9.5 hours and nearly 180km on the road, we were back to within 55km of our start.
Next we moved North in the unrelenting rain and joined the chaos on the N75. Here we saw significant flooding of villages and fields. The highway was in in any event, in very poor condition, in itself challenging enough. Factor in blinding monsoon rains, driving in the dark with not street lights, road markings, a headlight that was little more use than a candle in the wind, being soaked to the skin and almost every oncoming driver insisting on using main beam whilst the rain lashed through the open sides and we have the perfect ingredients for The Rickshaw Challenge.
However, with our new destination of the night, Hassan firmly in our sights, we were yet to experience the full might of the monsoon, which we were to later learn, was far worse than had been expected, causing more death, injuries and misery in the region.
Having stopped for a refuel, we almost immediately came across another team broken down and stopped to assist. Only to find we could not fix the problem and we too had broken down. Once the mechanics arrived and fixed both rickshaws, in dire conditions, it was agreed that as the conditions were so bad and driving rickshaws at night is a dangerous pastime, we would travel in convoy with the mechanics, along with 2 other rickshaws that were struggling with the conditions on their own.
Progress was steady until we commenced the climb up Sakeshapuia mountain pass. The rain became more intense and cloud set in, as we thrashed our steeds up the twisting road. We were puzzled that we had this main road to ourselves. Then we came across 2 landslides, having to squeeze around the first and negotiate our way over the smaller second one. Then we had 3 fallen trees and be rock fall to avoid. As we got to about 2,000 feet, we discovered 2km of standing traffic. It transpires, 2 large landslides had blocked the road ahead and one had pushed a bus over the edge into a ravine some 50 feet below.
As we had the advantage of compact vehicles, we steadily advanced, where most couldn't. After waiting for more than 2 more hours, the diggers had cleared a single track passage through both landslides. As all others were gridlocked, we managed to squeeze through, with kind assistance from the locals. We got to the head, a further 1,000 feet up and as we crested jubilant, we discovered the descent b was blocked for the same reasons.
The locals stepped in again. They showed us a narrow, single track road, that went via a forest over the top of the mountain, rejoining the main highway after 10km. We were warned it was often impassable, due to excess water running off, as well as being home to several dangerous species of animal. We took the track in convoy. I drove lead, whilst Wayne navigated, as visibility was so poor, I could not see the road ahead.
As we went up, leading as convoy of 12 Rickshaws, ( as we found the others stuck on the mountain), we climbed yet another 1,000 feet in total darkness and in thick cloud, whilst dealing with the consequences of the ongoing deluge. We had to regroup due to several problems but all made it safely down the other side and to our hotel, by 4am. This Rickshaw Challenge is certainly living up to its title??
Upon reaching Sambramnya we were informed or route out of town was deep under a raging, swollen river. Furthermore almost all roads in the region were closed, due to flooding or landslides. A group of us decided to keep to the high ground and head North, with a view to hitting the N75 but this too proved too challenging for some. So all groups agreed to re direct via Putter. So after 9.5 hours and nearly 180km on the road, we were back to within 55km of our start.
Next we moved North in the unrelenting rain and joined the chaos on the N75. Here we saw significant flooding of villages and fields. The highway was in in any event, in very poor condition, in itself challenging enough. Factor in blinding monsoon rains, driving in the dark with not street lights, road markings, a headlight that was little more use than a candle in the wind, being soaked to the skin and almost every oncoming driver insisting on using main beam whilst the rain lashed through the open sides and we have the perfect ingredients for The Rickshaw Challenge.
However, with our new destination of the night, Hassan firmly in our sights, we were yet to experience the full might of the monsoon, which we were to later learn, was far worse than had been expected, causing more death, injuries and misery in the region.
Having stopped for a refuel, we almost immediately came across another team broken down and stopped to assist. Only to find we could not fix the problem and we too had broken down. Once the mechanics arrived and fixed both rickshaws, in dire conditions, it was agreed that as the conditions were so bad and driving rickshaws at night is a dangerous pastime, we would travel in convoy with the mechanics, along with 2 other rickshaws that were struggling with the conditions on their own.
Progress was steady until we commenced the climb up Sakeshapuia mountain pass. The rain became more intense and cloud set in, as we thrashed our steeds up the twisting road. We were puzzled that we had this main road to ourselves. Then we came across 2 landslides, having to squeeze around the first and negotiate our way over the smaller second one. Then we had 3 fallen trees and be rock fall to avoid. As we got to about 2,000 feet, we discovered 2km of standing traffic. It transpires, 2 large landslides had blocked the road ahead and one had pushed a bus over the edge into a ravine some 50 feet below.
As we had the advantage of compact vehicles, we steadily advanced, where most couldn't. After waiting for more than 2 more hours, the diggers had cleared a single track passage through both landslides. As all others were gridlocked, we managed to squeeze through, with kind assistance from the locals. We got to the head, a further 1,000 feet up and as we crested jubilant, we discovered the descent b was blocked for the same reasons.
The locals stepped in again. They showed us a narrow, single track road, that went via a forest over the top of the mountain, rejoining the main highway after 10km. We were warned it was often impassable, due to excess water running off, as well as being home to several dangerous species of animal. We took the track in convoy. I drove lead, whilst Wayne navigated, as visibility was so poor, I could not see the road ahead.
As we went up, leading as convoy of 12 Rickshaws, ( as we found the others stuck on the mountain), we climbed yet another 1,000 feet in total darkness and in thick cloud, whilst dealing with the consequences of the ongoing deluge. We had to regroup due to several problems but all made it safely down the other side and to our hotel, by 4am. This Rickshaw Challenge is certainly living up to its title??
What a read Karl, challenging and the three of you will be friends for life! Breathtaking just to read, never mind actually do it!!! All the best Fiona Gavin and Molly
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