More Tea Vicar - Ducatisti in Ceylon (This time on a Suzy)

[Hereford_duke]

Last time it was North africa, this time its Ceylon!
Anyone thats been to india will tell you how bad the drivers are, this is the same in Sri Lanka.
The horn is king and expect to be overtaken on the left, right, above or when ever there is a few inches spare between vehicles!
So i arrange a bike and see what this place has to offer.
No Ducati's anywhere so i have to settle for a Suzy 250 off roader.

Trial Run.
I know where i am , i get some road maps and plan a test route as i was unsure of how to make it out of the city.
Easy you may think but the Sri lankans are not big on road signs, its like riding to London and seeing one sign that says London 2Km and then naff all else and then trying to find Leicester square when no roads are signposted.
Not to be detered as after all its much better weather i find a main route out (yipeeee), turn off in the direction of where i think that i want to go (or at least i think) and roar off.
Each place i pass i always get a smile from the locals, possibly as im the only one stupid englishman to brave the roads.
The tuk tuk in front of me runs over a dog and nearly rolls his tuk tuk, the dog manages to come through and yelps off. Does he stop......................................Does he heck as like!
Finally get back after 2 hours on the bike and a lot of wrong roads.........................
"Welcome to Sri Lanka- who said it was going to be easy!"





Day 1 - Negombo to Sinjahara rainforest 110 Km (5 hours)
Make it out of negombo alive and no dogs injured on the way and take a pass through some what can only descibed as Z roads.
within 20 minutes the t shirt i had on and my face was black with exhaust fumes and pollution in the city, yes it is that bad its bloody awful.
No signage and pretty much a jungle track on the Z roads, again each place the locals always smile i pass through.
After many wrong turns and directions from the locals we are on the way to Ratnapura when the heavens open!
Torrential rain and i was sodden, completely sodden and well hacked off as i had to endure another 2 hours to sinjahara completely soaked and cold, but i made it and thats what counts for two days of relaxation in the rain forest, where i got bit by leeches!

Day 2 Sinjahara to adams peak 100 Km (5 hours)
Nice one, leech cuts all healed and dry kit i was ready again for the road to Adams peak where the bright idea to climb a mountain
at 2AM was ahead of me.......................
Its guess work where you end up and had to ask directions and was given wrong directions which added an hour to my journey time.
As im pressed for time i take a road through Tea plantations for what seemed like hours and low on fuel and the rain clouds coming in.
Again the heavens opened and i got soaked again, cold, wet and low on fuel i press on to find a village and behold!
A shop that sells waterproofs......................lets go shopping then!
Waterproofed up i press on but no fuel, make it to a garage which has no fuel- sods law!
I make it to another one which does have and the Joy of this was such a relief and finally make it to a hotel for no hours of rest before climbing Adams peak at 2AM!
Well why do things by half?


Day 3 Adams peak to Negombo 110 Km (5 hours)
Tired and aching after the climb i manage 3 hours kip before setting off back through the Z roads with no signs
coming back through the tea plantations it lashed down so hard that it was stinging my face and you couldnt see. Not really a great day, then it happened..........................................
The Bike lost power and died!
So im in the middle of nowhere, its lashing down and tired and wet and my bike cuts out and wont start.
Check pettrol to see that its not been syphoned off while im climbing mountains in the dark - check Fuel ok!
Check no frazzled electrics as its really torrential downpours- check no smoke!
HT lead check..................hmmmmmmmmm doesnt look that good, infact pretty crap as it had let water in.
Hurray after managing to work out the problem and sort it out were back on the road, cold wet and tired but moving.
I reach a main road and pass the place where bridge over the river Kwai was filmed and just go for it on the roads for what seemed like hours
Make it all the way back cold, wet, tired but what a journey.

I have met Buddests, climbed mountains with one, bit by leeches,been on some fantasic scenery roads, nearly been killed, broken down
but wouldnt change the trip for anything as it was amazing and really was something special.
For the keen eyes among you will notice the Distance and times and laugh, it takes forever to get anywhere as the roads are so bad and no signs.


Logistics
Bike Hire 12000 Rs a day £6.00
Fuel Full tank 1800 Rs £9.00
Waterproofs 800 Rs £4.00
Lion beer 90 Rs 45 Pence
trip on bike Priceless!

Bike hire
Yellow Fleet Bike tours Negombo Sri Lanka
0777-765919
rentabike_5@hotmail.com
www.srilanka-motorbiketours.com


Hotels
Rainforest edge near Sinjahara rain forest
www.rainforestedge.com

Browns beach Hotel Negombo
(Upgrade to beach fronted room you wont be dissapointed)

Bouldergarden around 20 mins from Sinjahara
www.bouldergarden.com

Wathsala inn (Adams peak climbers)
http://www.adamspeaksrilanka.com/

[Multimental]

Wow what an amazing sounding trip. Makes me want to sell up and f*ck off travelling for a couple of years. I think that if I done it though I'd try and find a bike with a bigger headlight as that one doesn't quite look up to the job.

[Paivi]

Love that bike gear, offers full protection. Well, obviously not against leeches. But what will...

Great write-up, Mick! Probably just as well you couldn't find a Ducati to rent, just think about those electrics in the rainforest!

[Hereford_duke]

Thanks for the comments, as for the headlight i doubt that it really matters as they dont have any regard for bikers, car drivers, pedestrians, dogs, busses, trucks, tuk tuks even if they are blessed enough to have a light that works even an indicator!
Its really annoying when a truck just stops and its break lights dont work and they dont indicate.......................................
It could of been worse i suppose as i could of been on one of the two busses that crashed into each other i passed en route, driver to driver - Ouch!
Welcome to Sri Lanka and have a nice day!

[m couque]

tip for riding in asia.take the mirrors off,never worry or think about what might be behind you,and do not take your finger off the horn ever.now enjoy the freedom.

[Hereford_duke]

And for the Fashion guru's the Bike gear is.............
Diesel Jeans
Firetrap top
Nike Air trainers
D&G watch
All inclusive armband
Oakley sunglasses (In daysack)

I couldnt get any prot gear and all i had was a daysack for the 3 days, the kit was wet most of the time so i had that as my biking kit.
Either that or just sit on the beach, so im glad i went.
Clean pants everyday though incase you think i didnt wash for three days!!!!!!!