Skip to Content

Dare #9, Completed – Motorcycle Mayhem

My chariot awaits

#9 – From Dan:

Looks like you're running low on dares. Now that you're in China I dare you to ride a scooter (as a passenger or driver) down a ridiculously crowded street. Just like in the pictures.

Seems to me you could do this in either China or India, but you can do it where ever you have time/motivation.

Provide photographic evidence and your compensation will be $25 plus rental fee if you have to rent to complete your task. I'll up the winnings if the street is REALLY crowded.

Reward: $25+

Status: Completed

View ahead

After a few days in Bangkok without meeting anyone, I was starting to feel like my bang-up start was more like a bust.

I was feeling lonely.Invariably, I've found this happens when I have the highest expectations for socializing.

Then, when I'm asleep at the wheel, I end up meeting and hanging out with cool people.

To entertain myself, and hopefully earn a few bucks, I took on Dan's dare.

My friend Charlie in Chengdu had a motorcycle, but it was broken at the time I was staying with him.

After a mentally traumatic mini-scooter accident when I was a kid at day camp, I lost any desire to ride motorized bikes.

I prefer to be encased in metal, especially after seeing the way people drive in India.

View behind

Motorcycle taxis are commonplace in Thailand, so I hired one for a loop around Democracy Monument near Khao San.

It took a little translation support to ensure the driver knew what I wanted, and he delivered in great fashion.

Surely agreeing to what was likely a generous overpayment didn't hurt.

Unlike paragliding, taking photos and video on the back of a bike was a breeze.

I'm sure it would've been a dirtier, dustier, bumpier affair in India or Nepal, but there was plenty of traffic which we weaved in and out of at red lights.

It turned out to be a memorable experience which helped to lift my mood.

Bonus Video

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

I recently rode a motorcycle in a wide USA street for the first time. It was thrilling. I can see their appeal on the 'open road' but I'd be SCARED TO DEATH to do like on your video.

Congradulations.

Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

I recently rode a motorcycle in a wide USA street for the first time. It was thrilling. I can see their appeal on the 'open road' but I'd be SCARED TO DEATH to do like on your video.

Congradulations.

dan

Sunday 20th of July 2008

:shock:

Excellent work, dave. Look for something in your donations box!

dan

Sunday 20th of July 2008

:shock:

Excellent work, dave. Look for something in your donations box!

Nomadic Matt

Sunday 20th of July 2008

Take the cabs in Bangkok. They are much much cheaper than the tuk tuks.

Comments are closed.