Thanks a ton for all the support folks.. we just reached Bangkok with our Sponsored Bicycles, Green Tea packets, Dhoti (Lungi – Traditional Indian attire), yes you heard everything right.

The rudest thinng I would be doing on the first day of my tour would be not to thank the people who have been so supportive and taken extreme stake in my tour and would love to thank them in this post.

1. Family & Friends – My brothers, cousins, mother, In-laws, friends were so supportive in understanding our desire and being so encouraging throught the planning process and luckley the trip was kick started on my mother’s birthday which added another positive vibe.
2. ASQ – Which director would respond the very first email coming from a stranger into your mail box saying he needs help to conduct LSS classes around the globe, Laurel Nelson did the same. She connected me to all the ASQ country councillors along with Julia McIntosh.
3. Brompton – A month back who would have thought we will be touching the worlds best folding bike brompton. Exchanging 200 emails negotiating, pleading and debating, they agreed to provide us 2 bikes at flat 50% of cost price just 10 days before our tour start date and shipping was our responsibility. With 7 days to spare we had to ship the bike to India from London without paying a penny (500 pounds) to the parcel company and the customs who have 50% duty on the imported bikes.. Thanks to everyone who helped as a team and Sushira Gowda for single handedly packing and sending it through a traveller from London to Bangalore. I regard this as a Project Management success story next to appollo 13 🙂
4. Introducing our second supporter “SRS Lungi Company”!!

   This is how the contract goes – Ask the locals to wear the lungi and pose (more or less similar to the pic below) through the trip and we get paid on how the pics can be used for their marketing. Though less significant on a monetary front but surely loads of fun and polite way of saying respect cultural diference.

5. Introducing our first sponsor “Itohkyuemon”, Japanese tea company from Kyoto.

   Deal: unlimited supply of matcha powder (green tea) thorough out the trip.

   Idea: collaborate with local chefs to create fusion cuisine using matcha powder.

   Purpose: spreading benefit of matcha & maybe publish a recipe book

   Would you care for a cup of tea when you corss our route?

6. Couchsurfing – The entire couchsurfing community has been very supportive so far and generous in proviing us space with very few rejections with a valid reson..

All of you have played a crucial role and need the support till the end of the tour!!