TEAM SCHMIDT & JONES

Saturday, 12 February 2011

THE NON ROUTE ROUTE

The planning begins.. with a list of potential sponors... maybe a map would be a good idea...




Starting from: Shillong, Meghalaya. In the far north east of India lies a splendid hill station in a state known as the Scotland of the East for its mountainous and impressive vistas. We'll race through mountain forests on a plateau to depart from the capital of Meghalaya, which means the 'Abode of Clouds'. Oh, and it has the world's wettest golf course... so maybe time for a quick round.


Ending in: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. By the time we arrive the Meghalayan hills will be but a distant memory after two weeks of three-wheeled adventuring from the very top drawer. A ludricously 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 congratulate one another over cucumber sandwiches and bratwurst than the very heart of the Rajasthan desert.




Friday, 11 February 2011

THE RICKY TICKY RICKSHAW

With the heart of 145.45cc pushing 7hp (seven whole ponies maybe) of raw power to the wheels the Indian Auto Rickshaw is engineering at its best (ish). Loud, uncomfortable, prone to breaking down and completely useless at protecting you from the elements they are possibly the least suitable vehicles for covering the entire sub-continent in 2 weeks.

Which is of course the reason they are the only choice to tackle thousands of miles of sweaty jungle heat, dirt tracks, monsoon rains and the Himalayan peaks.


With our own pimped out rickshaw it should be working better than when they came out of the factory, which is not saying much, but fear not it will still break down, a lot.


Under the Skin of the beast:

Engine: 2 stroke, single cylinder, forced air cooled
Engine Size: 145.45cc
Power: 7 HP at 5000 rpm
Tourque: 12.17 Nm at 3500 rpm
Transmision: 4 forward, 1 reverse
Brakes: Hydraulic expanding shoe
Fuel Capacity: 8 ltr inc. 1.4 reserve
Top speed: 55kmph (I've seen more, especially down hill)
Weight: 277kg plus us two plus extra fuel plus a case of gin...

Thursday, 10 February 2011

WHO ARE FRANK WATER?

FRANK Water was founded by Katie Alcott in 2005, after she visited India and contracted dysentery after drinking dirty water.

5 years on…FRANK Water is now two distinct entities. FRANK Water Projects, a small registered charity (No. 1121273) that can receive your direct donations, and FRANK Water Products, a not-for-profit social enterprise which continues to give 100% of its profits to the charity.

Your support really matters. In a world where more than 4,000 children die EVERY DAY from a lack of clean drinking water, it’s clear that help is urgently needed.



FRANK Water was founded by Katie Alcott in 2005, after she visited India and contracted dysentery after drinking dirty water. FRANK Water Projects, a small registered charity (No. 1121273) that can receive your direct donations, and FRANK Water Products, a not-for-profit social enterprise which continues to give 100% of its profits to the charity.


For more info on FRANK WATER visit their web site HERE.

Monday, 7 February 2011

FUND RAISING

Shaking the collection tin like a mad member of the sally army...



To raise well needed cash we ran a second hand clothes stall at FLEA MARKET in Barcelona... selling my stinky old jeans, smoking jackets and dubiously stained and burnt tee shirts raised 250 euros... woop.



Flea Market have invited us back for the 22nd of May when they will expand the market to over 50 stalls moving from the Youth Centre in Ali Bei to a massive square, off Drassanes at the bottom of Barcelona's famous Rambla.

Bigger better and more charity cash for FRANKwater.

Saturday, 5 February 2011

STAYING CONNECTED

While we potter over potholes and bomb round bends in our 5000 km quest to reach Jailasmer.. you may like to join us across the interwebnet... not only through this blog but with

skype...
and
facebook..

Although we have yet to find out if india has many Starbucks with wi-fi, somehow we doubt it, at least anytime we can we will hook up to the web to chat to our friends, sponsors and supporters... while we sip chai tea at the roadside by our tired old tuk tut you may even be able to offer advice and welcome words of support.

Being kinda technical (must book that mechanics class and get a haynes manual) we have set up an account.

You can reach us at "rickshaw.run" on Skype
and
India Tuktuk on facebook

IS THIS DANGEROUS?

This trip is genuinely difficult thing to do. 

Our blog is written in a light-hearted fashion but we dont underestimate the risks involved in undertaking this kind of trip.

This is not a glorified holiday its an unsupported adventure and so by its very nature risky. 



We really are on our own, so its not just your finacial support we need... if you have any experience of travel in india which you can share with us then please do...

Thanks

To contact us click HERE
To donate now click HERE

Friday, 4 February 2011

HINDI PHRASE BOOK... WE'LL NEED IT

Hi! - Namastey!
How are you?  - Aap kaisey hain?
Good/ So-So. -  Accha/ Theek-thaak 
Thank you ! -  Shukriyaa
Good bye! -  Alvida!

I'm lost -  Hum kho gaye hain.
Go straight!  - Seedhey jaaey!
Then turn left/ right! - Phir bānyae/ dānyae mudiye

How much is this?  - Yeh kaisey diyaa?
India is a wonderful country -  Bharat ek adbhut desh hai
No Problem! -  Koee baat nuhee

Big/ Small - Bada Chhota
Today/ Now -  Aaj/ Abhi
Good/ Bad/ So-So. -  Accha/ Boora/ Theek-thaak
Yes/ No -  Haan/ Naa or Nuhi

Thursday, 3 February 2011

A THANK YOU FROM FRANK WATER

Hi there!

We at FRANK Water Projects just wanted to drop you an email to say thank you for taking the first step in your fundraising to provide access to clean water for people living below the poverty line in India.

We absolutely couldn't do what we do without you, and the impact of clean water projects in the areas we work in is enormous. 780,000 deaths a year in India are directly linked to poor quality water and sanitation, with a shocking 75% of these deaths occurring in children under the age of five.

If there's anything you need from us to make your fundraising easier, better supported, or more fun, please just drop me a line. We'd love to get some pictures or stories from you for the website and our newsletter.

Good luck with your fundraising and, again, thank you for supporting FRANK Water Projects.
Best wishes

Natasha Stanley
Office Manager and Donor Supporter