This post was originally called Rickshaw Run Meet and was half written until last night. I’ve had a pretty shitty week, after the disaster that was the Rickshaw Run meeting that I organised and then several immensely busy days at work. I found myself being stitched with cases continuously ‘cos everyone else in my team is scared on taking cases on a particular range of products. Where would they be without me?

Anyway, on a positive note, I spent last night with Alberto, Pete, Leo, Liz and Paula in a kind of post Mongol Rally meet up. We started in the wonderful “The stomach comes first” Mexican bar/restaurant and chatted all things Rally / Rickshaw Run. This was the first time I’ve seen Leo since February at the first Rickshaw Run meet. Since then he’d not responded to any messages or emails which I was a little peeved about, but after single voice mail he left me yesterday that all vanished… he’s just such a character.

I ended up going on to a bar afterwards with Alberto, Pete and Donald (Pete’s pub quiz master pal) until 4 in the morning. I have to admit to grossly under estimating Donald who is a thoroughly nice chap (mainly ‘cos he gets my twisted humor). I really should stop doing that with Yanks, but you know how it is. At the end of the night Alberto gave me a lift home. Alberto is yet another top chap. He’s so full of energy and thoroughly down to earth. As for David, he couldn’t make it due to family commitments, but I can’t mention Alberto and the Mongol Rally without thinking about David. It’s great to meet such people and for that I have to thank the rally. It was a true pleasure to assist and watch David and Alberto before and during their journey.

Moving onto the topic for which this post was originally intended. Its been a strange week. The Rickshaw Run meeting left me feeling a little down and this combined with the work situation this week left me pretty fed up and unmotivated. All the same I’m finally getting round to posting about last weekend.

Espe and I set off for London on Thursday night. Friday we were blessed with beautiful weather (sunshine and perfect temperature). I had to run around doing a few things, but otherwise it was really relaxing. We spent some time up in Roxeth Park. The first time I think I’ve been there in 10 years or so, which of course brought all the memories flooding back. “This is where I first fell off a skate board”, “this is where I lost my first football match” etc. We even had a look around the cricket ground to give Espe her second lesson in cricket theory (all important for the rickshaw run in India).

We were joined later by Nicky (chica) and off we went to find a local pub with a beer garden. As luck would have it they served Thai food. We were discussing the merits of Thai food menus in pubs, when out walked a Thai woman to take our order. A little while later, out came the best Thai food I’ve eaten outside of Thailand!

Come Saturday, we headed into London. The whole reason we were there, was for the 2nd Meeting of the People of the Rickshaw Run. Something I’d organised to ensure that I could be there (there was loads of talk on the forum about arranging a meeting, but no-one was doing anything about it. So I set a date for which I already had flights).

I was a little bit nervous about it having discovered that Tom, the organisor, was not in the country but having spent a fair bit of time the previous week talking to Stephen (Mongol Rally co-organisor) I felt more confident that we could guide the meeting along.

In reality it was a disaster. It started of quite well opening things up for discussion, but pretty well went downhill from there. The “discussion” went on for three hours or so, but it was all futile as firstly nobody could agree and secondly Tom had his mind set on a route anyway. Basically I started the meeting off completely the wrong way. I should have given it the Tom spiel: Yes it is stupid, yes it is nearly impossible, but it is an adventure. You should set off not knowing at all what is ahead of you. If only we’d managed to get Tom on the video conferencing live from Mongolia, then I’m sure the meeting would have turned out a lot better. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be. The charity, which is something that needs to be set ASAP, didn’t even get a mention. After 3 hours nothing was decided and things were getting a bit heated. I was out of the room talking to Tom on the mobile when Espe walked out and suggested I entered the room to see what had happened. Basically the people had divided into two groups. Those who wanted the Tom style chaos of an impossible adventure in one corner, with those who wanted an organised shorter route with achievable distances with a strict 10 day plan for all, gathered around Stephen. At this point I realised that I’d got myself trapped between a personal issue between Tom and Stephen. Something that has obviously been brewing for some time.

After the meeting we tidied up and headed down to the local pub. That first pint was possibly the best I’ve had this year (despite the fact that Tottenham were losing in the background). The evening actually turned out really well. All of the people at the pub were for the hardcore Rickshaw Run hence in was much more relaxed leaving us to chat about all things travel and enjoy several tasty beverages.

Stephen, Jon, Espe and I wandered off to a nearby Polish restaurant where we were seated next to a weird boxing chap, who brought framed photos of himself to the table and spent most of the time boxing the air as though it were a punch bag. The food was great though.

Later we headed into Soho to meet up again with Tim, Nick and Harriot of team Bombay the Hard way. Nick was celebrating his birthday and we found ourselves in a tiny basement bar with a live jazz band. Despite the chaotic failure of a meeting, the evening turned out very well.

On Sunday morning, before getting on our return flights, we were treated by Jon to a fantastic full English breakfast… all good.