The Rickshaw Rally VII
5:30 PM, Houhai Zoo
Just realized I saved instead of published The Rickshaw Rally V. So here’s V and VII, and then I’m off… I’ll have more on the event, including some minor details - such as who won - in the very near future.
V
It’s hard not to smoke at a place called Paper…
Race Marshall Al keeping up with the racers
VII
… and explaining that this is Olympic training.
Showing the laowai how to groove Houhai-style
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
DJ Martin cranks out some tunes…
… While Rickshaw Rallyists bust some moves…
… and draw a crowd.
It ends where all Houhai events should… in pristine waters.
The Rickshaw Rally VI
4:25 PM, Houhai Zoo
Okay, now is zee time in zee zoo ven vee drink… prost! Throbbing tunes, tasty pizza and plenty of celebratory drinks as I post these photos…
A theme for this race?
Totally lost…
Totally lost, part II
Totally lost, part 3: but they finally found The Reef.
The end of a long race
Do you think Chad had a good time?
The Rickshaw Rally IV
3:45 PM, Houhai Zoo, Houhai
Returned to Houhai Zoo after about 25 drop-ins up and down the route - and no, those did not involve alcohol consumption on the part of yours truly. Teams are pouring in - some exhausted, some exhilirated, and there are more than a few curious locals watching.
Ready for Bed (the bar)
Ready, start…
Splashing out for shooters at The Reef
Race Marshall Al with a participating establishment
The Rickshaw Rally III
2:40 PM, Drum and Bell
The teams raced - well, some kind of wobbled as they got their cycling legs - from Houhai Zoo on the course. Here are some photos based on the past hour of popping in and out of venues on the way.
Okay… I guess I’m not going to post… the photos won’t upload. A few observations then:
- To say most of the Chinese bar owners and staff are amused with this event would be an understatement. They have that “those crazy foreigners” grin>
- Numerous tourists are straining to take photos of the Rickshaw Ralliers and especially Race Marshall Al in his somewhat classic semi-military outfit.
Gotta run…
No commentsThe Rickshaw Rally II
1:20 PM, Houhai Zoo, Houhai Well, the race apparently starts at 1:30 PM, so a few more pictures - and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen this many people in pajamas. I’ll be riding with Race Marshall Al and hopefully will find some wireless along the way.
Proud pajama’d Mikey with his sign
Pre-race training
The race inspires a marriage (nice socks!)
The Rickshaw Rally I
12:50 PM, Houhai Zoo, Houhai
Call it the Great Houhai Race, The Rickshaw Rally, or the Saturday Morning Antics of a Bunch of Beijing Denizens Having a Hoot - at 1 PM some 25 rickshaws will take off from Houhai Zoo in, well, Houhai and cycle through the streets to visit pubs, chug drinks and generally compete to complete the circuit. Each team must hit nine of 13 thirteen bars - a stop at a Xiaomaibu for a Yanjing beer is mandatory. The teams do not know the route. Once they finish a drink at a given bar - and everyone on the team must finish first - the manager will give them an envelope indicating the next location.
The race represents the going away party of Mike Ianinni, who will soon leave our fair city and relocate to Bangalore, India (hey, it’s only a plane ride away).
Could this be a new Olympic event?
Yet another blue sky day in Houhai
Rickshaw’s Chad, Mikey, Race Marshall Al, The Zoo’s Huxley
A swimming component for next year’s race?
Patrol boats would be available for safety.
