2026 Tricycle Tour
 Promotion for the 2026 Tricycle Tour | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Host country |
 Çakaristan |
| Circuit | Agra <-> Ambarganj |
| Race length | ca. 3,000 km (1864 mi) |
| Podium | |
 First |
 Korhalistan/ Çakaristan: Manbai University |
 Second |
 Parvatalaya/ Çakaristan: Ambarganj University |
 Third |
 Batavia/ Shireroth: Royal Julius Civilis University |
The 2026 Tricycle Tour marks a return to the challenging reverse route, taking teams from the historic Red Fortress in Agra back to the factory gates of Qaghta Motors in Ambarganj. This year’s field is notably smaller than its predecessors, featuring fifteen teams that must navigate the rugged terrain of Çakaristan without electronic aids. The mix of seasoned domestic university squads and determined international entrants promises a fierce battle against both geography and mechanical reliability.
Conditions for participation
Teams may participate in the tour under the following conditions:
- They drive a riksa with its factory internal combustion engine.
- They receive no support along the way.
- They donate at least ₼1,000 to charity in Çakaristan.
- Before the start, drivers must have a driving licence. For the riksas, participants can obtain a special riksa driving licence.
Route
There is no defined route between the start and finish. Electronic navigation is forbidden, no flying is allowed, boat crossing of more than 30 km is not allowed and highways should be avoided. The length of the route depends on the navigation coasts of the team.
In 1696 AN, the starting point was the factory of riksas, Qaghta Motors, in Ambarganj. The finish was at the forecourt of the Red Fortress in Agra. As this was the first Tricycle Tour, the three team that arrived first in Agra won a meeting with the Sultan and Sultana.
The 2026 edition reversed the traditional direction, starting at the Red Fortress in Agra and finishing at the Qaghta Motors factory in Ambarganj. This "reverse" orientation presented unique geographical and logistical challenges, forcing teams to adapt their strategies to the prevailing winds and river currents.
The Northern Route: The Mountain Gauntlet
The northern path is traditionally the most direct but also the most treacherous. Teams departing Agra towards the north must first traverse the lowlands of Pashchimsthan, a vast plain that offers flat riding but exposes riders to relentless crosswinds. From there, the route ascends into the imposing Aluku Mountains.
The key obstacle on this route is the Samridh Parvat massif. Known for its rugged mountain passes and steep gradients, this mountain range is unsuitable for the lightweight, factory-standard riksas used in the tour. The narrow, winding roads are prone to rockfalls and sudden weather changes. Teams attempting this route must possess exceptional mechanical knowledge to prevent engine overheating and tire blowouts on the long climbs. Descending from the Alukus, teams enter the lush but difficult terrain of Poorajangal, a rainforest area where muddy trails and hidden obstacles can slow progress significantly.
The Southern Route: The River Road
The southern route follows the course of the great Adaraney river. Starting from Agra, teams head south towards the coastal city of Maulikpur. This path is generally flatter and avoids the high-altitude dangers of the north, but it presents its own set of hazards.
The stretch from Maulikpur to Leylpur is characterized by authentic village landscapes and tranquil river views. However, the proximity to the river means that during wet seasons, the riverbanks can become quagmires. Mud from recent rains has historically turned this section into a sticky clay trap, forcing riders to push their vehicles for kilometers. From Leylpur, teams continue to Padaudah and the idyllic beaches of Manbai. While the scenery is beautiful, the sandy terrain near the coast can be difficult for riksa tires, and the consistent sea breeze can hinder progress against the wind.
The Central/Adventurous Route: The Lake Crossing
A third, more adventurous option involves a central route that diverges from the main river and mountain paths. From Maulikpur, teams can attempt a challenging crossing to Takshashila on the south shore of Lake Jodha. This requires careful navigation and often involves waiting for favorable ferry conditions or finding shallow fording points, as boat crossings over 30 km are prohibited.
From Takshashila, teams must decide between two difficult paths:
- The Rainforest Path: Venturing deeper into the rainforest towards Ghodabad. This route is dense, humid, and filled with natural obstacles, requiring high levels of improvisation and physical endurance.
- The Hill Path: Climbing up the hilly Samridh Parvat from a different angle. This avoids the deepest parts of the rainforest but introduces steep, rocky inclines that strain the riksa engines.
Because electronic navigation is forbidden, success depends on the quality of paper maps and the team’s ability to interpret them. Teams must constantly weigh the risks of the fast but dangerous northern mountain passes against the slow but potentially muddy southern river road. The choice of route can determine whether a team finishes within the time limit or abandons the race due to mechanical failure or getting lost. The unpredictability of the terrain means that no two teams travel the same path, making the Tricycle Tour a dynamic quest where every decision counts.
Teams
Each team consists of two or three people. They buy a riksa themselves, which is often decorated.
Aerla: Students from University of Noursala
Al-Khadra/
Hurmu: Students from Khanabad University.
Barikalus/ Çakaristan: Students from the University of Madinat al-Fath.- Batavia/ Shireroth: Students from the Royal Julius Civilis University from 's Koningenwaarde.
Benacian Union:
- Students of the Benacian Institute of Physical Culture
- Students of the Humanist Institute of Biopower
- Students of the University of Sansabury
Constancia: Students from Euran University.
Highbloom: Students from Ermingander Village University.
Jingdao/ Shireroth: Students from the Ecclesiastical Academy of Pentapolis from Xiacheng.- Korhalistan/ Çakaristan: Students from Manbai University.
Moorland: Students from Newcastle University.- Parvatalaya/ Çakaristan: Students from Ambarganj University.
Sanpantul: Students from Ofū Spatull University.- Shireroth: Students from Metzler University.
Sylfystan/ Çakaristan: Students from the Technical University of Salafuabad.- Sylfystan/ Çakaristan: Students from the University of Šer-Ku-Riž.
Report of the 2026 Edition
The engines coughed, the chains rattled, and the sweat poured. It was the smell of combustion and determination. As the 2026 Tricycle Tour concluded its treacherous odyssey from Agra back to the factory gates of Qaghta Motors in Ambarganj, the sheer physical toll on the participants was evident.
Unlike the 2025 edition, which saw a diverse mix of international and local teams, this year’s route presented a gauntlet of terrain that broke the spirit of many. The return journey—moving against the prevailing wind and current of the great river systems—proved significantly more grueling. While the 2025 report celebrated the "epic odyssey" of those who finished, this year’s narrative is one of attrition. Of the 15 teams that started, only five managed to cross the finish line within the allotted time.
The Failures: Engines, Egos, and Exhaustion
The 2025 report noted that four teams abandoned due to mechanical failure or getting lost. In 2026, the attrition rate was far higher.
Mechanical Betrayal: The "factory internal combustion engine" rule is a cruel joke when pushed to the limit.
- Benacian Union: The team from the Benacian Institute of Physical Culture arrived with high hopes, boasting superior fitness. However, their riksa, a heavy, poorly maintained model, suffered a catastrophic engine failure near the border of Poorajangal. Despite their strength, they could not pedal a riksa with a seized engine for 200 kilometers. They abandoned in frustration.
- Sylfystan (Šer-Ku-Riž): The team from the University of Šer-Ku-Riž suffered a chain snap and subsequent gearbox failure in the hills of Korhalistan. Without spare parts, their race was over.
- Moorland: Students from Newcastle University, unaccustomed to the humidity, watched their carburetor seize up near Maulikpur. They were forced to walk their broken riksa for the final stretch, arriving hours after the deadline.
Getting Lost and Time Limits:
- Highbloom: The team from Ermingander Village University, representing a small, obscure region, took a wrong turn near Takshashila. Attempting to cut through the dense rainforest to save time, they became disoriented. They missed the turnoff for Ghodabad and spent two days wandering in the jungle before being rescued by local villagers. They did not finish.
- Sanpantul: The students from Ofū Spatull University were disqualified. They attempted to use a forbidden electronic navigation device near Leylpur and were caught by the marshals. Their arrogance cost them the race.
The Finishers: A Battle of Wills
Only five teams crossed the finish line at Qaghta Motors within the time limit. The atmosphere in Ambarganj was less celebratory than in previous years, more exhausted.
- Korhalistan (Manbai University): The veterans of the tour struck again. The team from Manbai University, known for their mechanical knowledge, navigated the northern route with precision. They avoided the worst of the mud by sticking to the old trade roads through Korhalistan and Parvatalaya. Their riksa, meticulously tuned, never faltered. They were the first to arrive, greeted by a small, disciplined contingent of their peers.
- Parvatalaya (Ambarganj University): The home crowd favorite. The students from Ambarganj University knew every pothole and shortcut. They took a daring, aggressive route through the Samridh Parvat passes, risking mechanical failure for speed. It paid off. They arrived second, their faces grimy but triumphant, chanting local songs that echoed through the factory gates.
- Batavia (Royal Julius Civilis University): The Batavia team, representing Shireroth, showed remarkable grit. They took the southern route along the Adaraney, battling the mud and the wind. Their riksa was decorated with flags of Shireroth, and they arrived third, looking like shipwreck survivors. Their perseverance was widely praised, even by those who failed.
The Late Arrivals:
- Jingdao (Ecclesiastical Academy of Pentapolis): The Jingdao team struggled with the heat and the steep climbs. They arrived fourth, exhausted but grateful.
- Al-Khadra (Khanabad University): The Hurmu team, always enthusiastic, arrived last. They had a minor engine issue in Maulikpur but managed to fix it with makeshift tools. They arrived with their usual flair, performing a traditional dance despite their exhaustion.
Conclusion
The 2026 Tricycle Tour was not just a race; it was a filter. It separated the prepared from the arrogant, the resourceful from the reckless. The teams that failed did so not because they lacked courage, but because they underestimated the brutal reality of Çakaristan’s geography.
For the teams that finished, the journey from Agra to Ambarganj was the hardest thing they had ever done. True victory is not just about speed, but about the will to keep pedaling when everything else has stopped working.
