Yesterday when I was leaving for a meeting in the morning I got a reply to a status update I had requested from one prospective sponsor. Things were still in the pipeline and things seemed to be moving in the right direction. When I got back in the evening and I checked my mail there was a regret mail from him. This was one organisation I really wished would have come on board. And should have considering they have been fairly regularly associated with international adventure events. And an association with OneHelluvaRide would have been really good for them. But, as the old cliche goes – c’est la vie.
A second prospect is developing and looks good so far. Maybe by next week we should hear a yes or no. Till then fingers are crossed.
Meanwhile I have been working on another expedition, albeit a much smaller one, before OneHelluvaRide. This one is a month long ride all over the Indian sub continent in an attempt to gain four world records. Let us see how that turns out. Click on the link below and take a look at the promotional video and let me know what you think.
Nagarpurabad Challenge
Hey guys, I just did a Google Analytics check on visitors to the OneHelluvaRide site and guess what … we have just crossed the 1,000 unique visitors mark. Considering that the site has not been promoted at all apart from letting friends and relations and well-wishers know about it, it seems quite a good number to have achieved, what say you? We are hoping that the number will multiply many fold once we hit the road. Wish us Godspeed.
No, I am not sounding The Last Post on OneHelluvaRide … far from it. I was just listening to it once again and thought it was apt to share it again with everyone. More so when we have the War Wounded Foundation as one of our charity partners. For those of you who may not know, The Last Post is sounded at the funeral of a soldier fallen in war. In is haunting, it is lilting and the forlorn sound coming from a sole bugler at the occasion of paying the last respect to a fallen comrade, brings a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes. Do listen to it and spare a thought for all those who give their lives in battle so that we can live in peace …
The Last Post … click on link to listen to it … bugle_last_post
Noel McPereira joi
ns the OneHelluvaRide team. Welcome aboard Noel from all of us. Noel has been in the media space for decades and has been closely involved with many start-up channels, from the creative branding point of view. He is today with a news channel and joins the team as the head of the video production team. He is a certified mountaineer having graduated from the Himalayan Institute of Mountaineering and has undertaken a few high altitude treks. He is also an avid endurance driver and though has not driven extensively in unforgiving terrain, has a lot of experience staying awake at the wheel. His experience in adventure and videography will certainly be an asset to the team. Once again, welcome aboard OneHelluvaRide, Noel. Cheers
If you are looking at the blog then obviously you would have seen the new look of the website. Of course, that if you are a returning visitor. If this is the first time you are visiting, the changes will not make any sense. In either case, how does it look? I think it is an improvement – visually, aesthetically and from the point of view of management. And it will go through multiple changes as the days go by. One change that will happen almost immediately is the integration of PayPal for donations. Once that starts, the Whispering Wishes campaign will commence in right earnest and I hope to get a fair volume of donations from all over the world. Life is looking up from the point of view of the expedition. We are in touch with a few organisations that have expressed an interest in associating with us. Meetings are currently on and I hope that we will have an answer, one way or another, within the next week or so. Till then, fingers crossed.
When I look at the date I see that nearly three months have gone by since I last posted something on the blog. It is not that I have forgotten all about OneHelluvaRide, in fact it takes up most of my waking hours. There is a lot happening but there is precious little to report. Well, for one, we are yet to tie in the sponsors. Talks are going on with a few, and I am hoping that things will develop positively over the next few days. The flag off date has been pushed to June 6. And the Central Asian leg of the route has been extended. OneHelluvaRide will now travel through twelve countries – India, Nepal, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistans, Uzbekistan, Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Sri Lanka has been dropped … too many logistical issues. The website too is undoing an aesthetic makeover. Should be up in a few days. Oh another development is that Noel McPereira has joined the team and will be in charge of the video production. I am still waiting for a photograph of his, post which a formal introduction will be made. Well, I hope to post more often. The next seven days I will be quiet again since I am going out of town. Back over the next weekend when I hope to be able to get back to the internet once again. Till then cheers.
Yesterday I received an email from this lady in San Diego California. Trying to be in the space we are operating is – adventure sports and travel – and trying to find people to believe in the project to an extent that they support us, an email like this certainly boosts the morale of the entire team. The passion is evident in her words and I thought it would be a good idea to share it with you all. This came as a response to a page on the website (http://OneHelluvaRide.com/jointheteam.html) asking people to write in with a valid reason why they should be part of the expedition team. She belongs to that small band of people who can think beyond cricket, despite having Indian roots. Here it is…
“I don’t want to be a part of the team but I am writing this because I want to gift this trip to my husband and plan to surprise him with it. I think he should be able to go because he is an avid fearless traveler, with a keen sense of direction (we have travelled the world over with no guide..just him getting up in the morning and what direction you are facing), handy with tools and gadgets ( he is in construction), cooks really well (with minimal ingredients), street smart and a great team player who would be willing to take any role and responsibility that the team has for him. He would be the perfect addition to the team. And I know I am a lucky girl but he truly has all these qualities.
Please please consider him (I don’t write too well since I am an accountant and am better with numbersJ) and let me know if he even has a chance. I know it is going to be tough on me to be in a foreign country for 3+ plus months ( I still consider India my home) but this is an experience of a lifetime that I truly from my heart hope he gets to enjoy.
Thanks,
PS: Thanks for thinking of this amazing journey and you have my support to spread the word no matter what.
(Name withheld), CPA
Manager
Audit & Enterprise Risk Services”
OneHelluvaLensman
Yesterday Himanshu Seth joined the expedition team as the photographer. Himanshu is a traveller, motorbiker and professional photographer. Based in Mumbai Himanshu loves to travel and particularly likes to play with forms, shapes and textures in the photographs he takes. He has a range of favourite subjects ranging from landscapes to people to architecture to nature to wildlife. Welcome aboard Himanshu, I am sure this will not only be one helluva ride for you but you will be an asset to the team. The photographs you take during the journey will be something that will freeze all the memories for us to share with our children and their children. Welcome aboard my friend.
Today is Diwali, the day the Lord King Rama came home from exile and the whole kingdom was out to celebrate the occasion. The festival of lights transcends religion and faith and is enjoyed by one and all, houses lit up, firecrackers, fun and games. Also ushering in prosperity and good cheer for the year ahead.
Well, as far as OneHelluvaRide is concerned, the pieces of the jigsaw are falling in place and the job list is getting longer, at last count it was about three yeards long and counting. There is so much to do. But all for the better. The media associations are almost in place. Have had some very good meetings over the past couple of days and all in all I think that we are well and truly on the right track. The only issue is that the associations are taking a little longer than estimated, leaving me even less time to provide sponsors to make up their minds. But then, with a large and credible media package in place, sponsors will be able to decide in a far shorter time. The last couple of weeks have been full of holidays leaving less time for meetings, but whatever has happened has been very positive.
I suspect next week to start slowly but end on a fairly positive note. And I say that every week. Well, c’est la vie. Cheers and have a happy Diwali.
The last week was very quiet indeed. Lots of holidays, people in vacation mood, some unfortunately under the weather, all in all a very quiet week. There was nothing much to report and consequently no posts either. Today started off great. Got through to everyone I called, met the people I was supposed to meet, set up meeting for the next two days, very productive. The afternoon meeting was fruitful and has moved to the next level. Sent reminders to those who are get back.
And with the departure date looking close, I also started the set the wheels in motion for my knee replacement surgery. About 60 days of the 186 left to flag off will be taken up in the recovery process, no time left. Tentatively looking at mid November for the surgery. And before that there is a proposed trip to Bhutan. So much to do and so little time.
Peter is having trouble getting responses from the various people he is in touch with in Sri Lanka. He is getting mighty frustrated. Well, such is life in the very very slow lane of sponsor identification and finalisation.
More tomorrow or the day after. Three important meetings – one tomorrow and two the following day. Will also visit the hospital tomorrow to find out formalities required for the surgery. Catch you in a couple of days.