RICKSHAW MAN ROLLS THROUGH AREA SEEKING WORLD RECORD
By Cindy Klopsteck
He came into Eagle Lake by crossing the Colorado River on Hwy 90A and then passing
the large lake seen in the distance off that same highway. With fishing poles bouncing on
the side of his vehicle, Allie Stevens figured this would be a good stop.
Although he soon discovered that there would be no fishing at that big lake, he did have
some good catches at the river and from a small lake, when he befriended a local who
was more than happy to share bounty from the stocked lake with him.
And that’s most of Allie’s story, making lots of friends and experiencing life
in Small Town, USA, through the small towns of America, which is the route he’s
travelling as he crosses these United States…….. pulling a rickshaw.
You may have met “The Rickshaw Man” as he came through Eagle Lake this past week.
It was pretty easy to spot him amongst the cars and 18-wheelers flying by him.
With nothing but his loaded rickshaw and his dog Roxy by his side, this travelling man is
not only fulfilling his wish to see the backroads of America, but he’s working on a
Guiness World Record at the same time.
A first time attempt through the world record organization, no one has actually “pulled” a
rickshaw across the country. But Stevens, a retired Vietnam vet, set out on his goal in
2009 from Oceanside, California and plans to capture the title when he reaches his
destination in Miami, Florida sometime this year.
He takes his time doing it: no rush, no deadline. He averages some twenty miles a day
while travelling, but will remain and visit in a small town for days to a week.
“Small towns are the backbone of the country,” he says. “But people
don’t realize that. they need to slow down and stop (to visit there).”
He wants to show the world that America is still the best country in the
world, and that
God is still with us. Starting his journey with only ten cents, Stevens says
it’s the people and their generosity that has inspired him along the way.
While he doesn’t ask directly for sponsors, the new friends he’s met while
travelling are the ones who pave his way.
“The rickshaw can weigh up to 400 pounds with what I carry (including
Roxy, who chooses to ride most of the time), and we don’t stop because
of the weather. We sleep in our tent and cook for ourselves,” he
comments.
Of course, people along the way assist when they can, and in Eagle Lake
he has appreciated the generosity of Chris and Lina Ferguson and their
children. When the rickshaw rolled into Eagle Lake on May 09th, it was
Lina that Stevens met when visiting
City Hall, where she is employed.
“He was such a nice, interesting man with an interesting story, so we told
him he could set up his tent at our house,” Lina explained. Tent propped
up under a large tree in their yard and the rickshaw parked nearby,
Stevens has made a temporary home here in Eagle Lake for a week now.
But along with all the fascinating and varied bumper stickers and signs
on the rickshaw, there hangs a pair of pale pink boxing gloves………and
there may hang the true story of
Steven’s travels and commitments.
“My wife died six years ago and my daughter just one year ago, both from
cancer. I’m still helping to fight cancer every mile of my journey,” he
explains.
When he faced these losses, he decided to give his house to another
daughter and then started providing rickshaw transportation on an
Oceanside pier, transporting people to restaurants and other sites with
long walking distances. He had seen many rickshaws while serving
during the war and figured that could work. He had found a horse
carriage at a local flea market, transformed it into a rickshaw, and the
rest would be Guiness World Book history.
But back to those pink boxing gloves: Stevens has participated in Relays
for Life, supported cancer events and won over healing hearts as he’s
made his way across the country. Eagle Lake appears to be no exception.
One of the first friends Stevens met here is fighting a daily struggle, and
it turns out she
enjoyed the first rickshaw ride in town. Allie met Thomas Pavlicek, who
is a neighbor to the Fergusons. When Thomas introduced Allie to his
mother Carol Pavlicek, let’s just say the pink gloves “came on.”
“She’s a wonderful person,” says Allie, “and I have enjoyed spending time
with her and giving her a ride on my rickshaw.” Carol was a teacher in
the Rice ISD for 31 years before retiring in 2002, but only after
substituting within the district for another seven years. “I loved it,” says
Carol, of her time teaching children.
From Thomas’ home near the library to the Texas Seafood & Steakhouse
on Main Street/Hwy 90A, Allie pulled Carol on his rickshaw and then
shared a wonderful meal with her.
Allie and Roxy and the famous rickshaw will be in town for a few more
days.
Now, and after he leaves to continue his journey, you can check his
travels and current locations on his website, www.rickshawroadtrip.com.
As the Beatles once sang, “….it’s a long and winding road that leads…..”
where?
And why, I had to ask Allie, are you doing all this after a serious accident
in Arizona, hot streets that nearly melted Roxy’s paws, staying in a tent
on rainy nights and heading to the next town with just loose change in
your pocket?
As with his travels and his meeting new people, the answer is simple:
“I fought for my country so I should be able to walk across it…..”
………or, in Allie Stevens’ case, pull a rickshaw………