'Intense adventure': Calgary couple completes 4,400-km rickshaw run across India
A Calgary couple has officially completed a 4,400-kilometre journey on a three-wheeled rickshaw across India, battling congested cities, water-logged streets and uneven roads in an effort to raise funds for local youth bicycle programs.
Heather Wicksted and Matthew Daw are travel junkies known for getting out of their comfort zones and raising awareness about causes they care about through their online blog, Reason2Roam.
The pair’s latest adventure saw them participate in Rickshaw Run India from April 6 to 20, setting off in a small-gas powered rickshaw from Shillong in the country’s north all the way down south to Fort Kochi.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Funds were raised along the way for Two Wheel View, a non-profit that operates bicycle programs for Calgary youth.
Daw said having access to bicycles is a cause that’s near and dear to the couple’s heart. He added that this journey on three wheels came with no shortage of challenges.
“India is a very intense place and that intensity comes at you from every point on the compass, so even when you're driving down a highway, you never know if a vehicle might be coming the other direction,” he said.
“There may be goats on the road, there are cows on the road. There are always people on the roads, and then your rickshaw runs low on gas and you might need to find fuel or the entire country might be under construction at the same time on this incredible road system that's hard to drive on.”
Wicksted said that the people that helped them along the way are what truly made their trip memorable.
“So we got stopped a lot of times by police, and initially it's a little bit nerve wracking to be pulled over when you've done nothing wrong, but nine times out of 10 that turned into a cup of chai and a selfie with random police officers on the side of the road,” she laughed.
“So again, it just reinforced what an amazing incredible country that India is.”
Wicksted and Daw had a third traveller with them as well, Max Kent, a Canadian they had met prior during a bicycle trip along the Great Divide in the United States.
“My favourite thing was that everyone thought Max was our son,” said Daw.
“And as a result, everyone stopped us for a selfie. We had people in big trucks pulling over, veering us off to the edge and waving us to pull over in the middle of nowhere so they could get a photo. It was one of the major highlights of the last couple weeks."
The Rickshaw Run India featured 70 teams with about 168 people competing along the way to race across the country.
Unfortunately, not everyone finished, some vehicles broke down and some competitors suffered minor injuries.
“I thought it was gonna be a walk in the park,” Wicksted said.
“But finishing this race is something I'm very proud that all three of us accomplished together, we had so much fun and met a lot of wonderful people along the way."
(Supplied)
Wicksted and Daw will now travel to Azerbaijan for a cycling trip along the Pamir Highway where they hope to raise more funds for Two Wheel View.
For more information on how to support fundraising efforts, you can visit their website at reason2roam.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.