Story
This October, we're embarking on an adventure called The Rickshaw Run: a journey that involves driving what can only be described as a motorized lawnmower across the entirety of Sri Lanka. Yes, that Sri Lanka, on the southern tip of India.
Why? That's an excellent question.
The idea was conceived sometime after a few drinks in a tiny New Hope bar on New Year's Eve. At the time, it seemed brilliant. Looking back, we're fairly certain common sense left the building somewhere around round midnight.
Unlike most organized races, The Rickshaw Run is completely unsupported. There are no support vehicles, no mechanics, no backup plans, and absolutely nobody coming to rescue us when we inevitably find ourselves on the side of the road staring at a smoking engine and questioning our life choices.
Flat tires? Our problem.
Mechanical breakdowns? Our problem.
Getting hopelessly lost? Also our problem.
Accidentally finding ourselves face-to-face with a wild elephant? Definitely our problem.
The organizers do host a few parties along the way, which suggests they know we're going to need them.
To make matters even more interesting, neither of us speaks a word of Sinhala or Tamil. Our communication strategy currently consists of smiling, enthusiastic hand gestures, awkward head bobbling, and an unwavering confidence that somehow everything will work out.
What could possibly go wrong?
As part of this ridiculous adventure, we're raising money for Cool Earth, the official charity partner of the Rickshaw Run. Cool Earth works directly with rainforest communities, helping local people protect forests through practical, community-led projects rather than outside intervention.
Since 2013, Rickshaw Run teams have raised more than £2.3 million, helping protect over 2.1 million acres of rainforest. That's a pretty incredible impact from a bunch of people making objectively questionable transportation decisions.
We'll be documenting every wrong turn, breakdown, near disaster, and moment of sheer luck from the other side of the world. All we're asking is that you help make this trip about something bigger than two idiots in a three-wheeled vehicle trying to survive Sri Lankan traffic.
If you can spare a few dollars, we'd greatly appreciate it. Every donation helps support rainforest communities and protects some of the most important ecosystems on the planet. We don't get a dime and the goal amount is reflective of what we have committed to raise.
And if nothing else, your contribution will help ensure our poor decisions accomplish something worthwhile.
Thank you for your support!
More about the charity:
More about our adventure:
https://www.theadventurists.com/guides/rickshaw-run-sri-lanka/