Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride 13th August

Rickshaw riding at its toughest. The northern approaches to Sydney are
criss-crossed by ridges and gullies. That makes for great scenery but
is the opposite to the native habitat of "rickshaw pedalus (var.
bangladeshienses)". Today 9 riders (Sam, Chucy, Eric, Eric, Jane,
Rebecca, Nick, Sandy and Carlyn) pushed and pulled from Berowra to
Martin Place in the centre of Sydney. *(See below for special
geographic notes). Some of the hills were long and steep. Rumour has
it that on the downslope of one of the hills, the landspeed record for
a rickshaw was again broken.The rickshaw obviously driven by an
exponent of extreme sports reached the breathtaking speed of 46 km/hr.
This exceeded the previous level which was about 40km/hr recorded by
one of the riders north of Newcastle. (All the speeds are of course
unofficial and it should be clearly stated that the organization does
not promote or encourage this.)
In the amphitheatre in Martin Place, right in the centre of the CBD of
Sydney, the support team set up for a public gathering. Two members
of the Sydney Kings, Luke and Ben, came to join in the welcoming of
the rickshaw to Sydney. Thanks guys for giving of your time. Ben had a
go riding the rickshaw but it was obvious that the machine was
designed for someone who does not play guard in top division
basketball! Ben would have suffered significant knee injury if he had
ridden for too long. His knees kept hitting the end of the handle-
bars. Bangladesh rickshaw wallahs may not have long bones in their
legs but they have extremely dense bones. Surgeons have to use
specially strengthened screws when repairing breaks in the legs of
Bangladesh rickshaw wallahs.
Sydney represents the half way point of the Great Aussie Rickshaw
Ride. The riders, support team and all the people on the way who have
participated in the event have done a great job. Many people
particularly school children, the decision makers of the future, have
become aware of the aims of the Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride (awareness
of the MDG's and the alleviation of global povert) and the work of
Symbiosis International in Bangladesh.

* Special geographic notes
Martin Place sounds like a cool fish, Martin Plaice who hangs
out with his Aussie and Irish mates, Bazza Mundie and Niall Perch.
Berowra. It is rumoured that NSW police are considering replacing the
breath test for blood alcohol in drivers. The replacement will be to
say "Berowra" five times quickly!