Anyone cycled in Sri Lanka?

looks like i may have an opportunity to go sri lanka (columbo and candy) and i was wondering if anyone here has taken a bike or rented 1 and explored the roads on 2 wheels.

thanks.

The roads in sri lanka are very bad. And they drive like absolute maniacs, i'd be nervous in a hummer :/

i went years ago and i can confirm they drive like lunatics and your just as likely to be taken out by a cow or elephant just as much as a car.

Have a look here for stuff on cycling in sri lanka

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/search/?term=sri+lanka&expand=auto

i'm half sri lankan, spent a few weeks every other summer there while i was growing up (and recently), and i'd have to reiterate the above: the roads can be pretty shit, and the drivers are fucking nuts. i have seen cycling groups riding there, though, usually from colombo to nuwara eliya. it's a massive climb with some rediculous hairpins, but a BEAUTIFUL route. i've always wanted to get a bike over there. as crazy as the drivers can be, they'e somehow really considerate (most of the time) about non autos on the road. definitely go (i wouldn't hesitate), it'll be fantastic.

If it were me I'd just buy a bike over there to pootle around if you have enough time, not sure about long-distance touring though given the poor roads (unless you really aren't in a rush).
Sofa-saddled, rod-brake, steel-rimmed roadsters are made for dealing with potholes, can be had for about 20 quid, and people will smile at you! They are usually kitted out with strong racks so just grab some panniers before you leave.. You can then get repairs even in the smallest of villages..
This is the kind of thing I'm suggesting - don't laugh!:

I lived in South India for 4 years and rediscoverd cycling there, albeit not on one of these behemoths. Cyclists still rule South Asia, but remember bigger vehicles ALWAYS have right of way!

yeah watch out for car / van / lorry / truck drivers ( well all drivers over there ) they all believe in reincarnation so if they die no problems. and thats kind of the attitude when they drive ! they play a version of chicken over there in which the object of the game is in fact to hit the other driver !! bikes watch out

hey oblong, Ive spent a few months there recently. As mentioned above the roads are shit and the drivers are fuckin nuts! I strongly recommend you get a minibus or something and get you out a good distance out of colombo - its by far the worst there - and bring reliable & comfortable ride. Other than that - go for it! It's an amazing place & be cool to get about on a bike. Kandy is great, a lot quieter than colombo and there are some great rides around in the mountain country and the tea hills. I'd say it could be tricky getting a decent (sub 1ton) bike to rent though, and bringing your own will be a headache if you plan to get around by bus. On but trains should be cool. Anyway, a some of my bike pics:

I think this guy posts on LFGSS (Large Fuckoff Guns and Single Speeds)

fish on a bicycle ;-)

that looks like a really good time. im jellious of any one going there.

Hey Dr. O

have cycled a fair bit in India, major cities & country roads. If think I can confidently say it's going to be a fare while before the red light debate takes hold on the cycling forums of Mumbai.

You can buy a brand new Hero™ for just over a score, the mechanic (sic) will assemble it with the help of a non specifically sized open ended spanner and a ball-pien hammer.

An extra couple of quid gets you the Miller single bulb 6V dynamo bulb set, a bell and bespoke top tube protector.

If you intend to do any major distance I recommend that you take a big/fat squishy arse foam/gel tech saddle with you. Oterlieb panniers are handy, royal spoke cards a must and the biggest horn you can lay your hands on. phnaar phnaar

I miss India! i'm as English as Fish and chicks...

i am not planning on taking a bike, but looking for a place to stay for a trip in early december. any recommendations?

ideally eco tourism / decent low budget away from the major towns and hire a driver for the week to get about this stunning island

cheers

head to the south coast
unwatuna haven't been there admittedly since the tsunami hit but that stretch of coastline from galle along the south coast is stunning
proper tropical beach look palm trees nice clean sandy beaches

galle is a lovely city especially the older parts inside the city walls it's easy to get the train from columbo to that section as long as it up and running again

the highlands above galle and heading towards the centre of the country is full of tropical rain forest and tea plantations

wildlife there are some game reserves along the south coast again

SOUTH COAST are you getting me ?

and again the north has been out of action for many years due to the tamil tiger insurgency and is now free to move around didn't go up these but it could be nice again

surfers head to the east coast for the pacific ocean swell

thanks dicki

somewhere i need to visit.. as it is the land of my father. I can't afford to take my own family so instead a one man mission for a week.
whilst no doubt the beaches are great but prefer to stay inland, perhaps close to one of the forests / reserves between colombo, galle and kandy.

i have never met the old man, but want to trace where he grew up in Colombo (de La Salle Street district) home to the sinhalese catholic community. Also want to visit Adam's Peak, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle as well as the stunning coastline :)

Fully aware of the Sinhalese/Tamil issues. SL goverment forces have been brutal over the years, its human rights atrocities the only thing that has made me boycott this (still can't call it mine) beautiful country :(
but it is time I think to see for myself.. wish me luck

prince charles spoke card! amazing.

these bikes like the pictured ones are the only bikes you will see. but usually not so mint.

the ride to Nuruwa Eliya is a serious climb whatever way you go, but the scenery is awesome and views at Adams Peak stunning. weather also a bit more manageable. in colombo, you'd want to be taking on a lot of water/minerals, it is hella humid.

i would say you should go to Trinco or Batticaloa, if not Jaffna, to take advantage of the newly safe options. i've been to SL plenty of times but never in peacetime or a real ceasefire

if you go south coast like dicki says, you have flat terrain, hot but less humid than colombo. and lots of nice beaches near the beautiful town of Galle, like Hikkaduwa, Matara, Mirissa and Unawatuna.
further east you've got Yala national Park. not sure what the cycling restrictions would be

cheers Si, much appreciated.. :)
cycling thro' Yala National Park.. eaten by leopard treks lol..

hah, just D-lock them

I find Sri Lanka very similar to India when we talk about the culture.

well parts of india yeah. but india is massive, saying similar to india is like saying similar to europe!

I find Sri Lanka very similar to India when we talk about the culture.
an easy mistake to make.. Si is right it's like comparing switzerland to europe

yeah I woudn't choose to go on cycling holiday if I were you!

LFGSS Sri Lanka chapel

http://www.huckmagazine.com/ride/bikes/sri-lanka-street-racers-bikes-photography/