Cycling Sri Lanka

For those interested in visiting the Indian Subcontinent, laidback Sri Lanka with its relaxed culture, beautiful scenery, abundance of wildlife, friendly courteous inquisitive people, and magnificent lost in time colonial architecture could well be the ideal destination.

PaintedRoads bicycle adventure takes us from the tranquil fishing communities of Sri Lanka’s west coast, through the ancient architecture of the North Central region, and onwards, via the stunningly beautiful central hill country, to the southern beaches and the wonderful town of Galle.

But for we cyclists, perhaps the greatest attraction is Sri Lanka's abundance of wonderful cycling roads, tracks and trails that make this a riding destination par excellence. Yes, Sri Lanka packs a huge amount into a compact island, and then there’s the food...

As with any tour, for those with the time to spare, arriving a day or two early is a good idea. Not only does this allow time to overcome the ravages of jet lag, but on this tour, it also allows time to roam around the coastal town of Negombo.

Predominantly Roman Catholic, Negombo is a convenient starting point for a tour of Sri Lanka. Wandering from the beachfront resort area towards the lagoon one passes characterful architecture, where lost in time streets lead past the offices of the legal profession to the fish market where one is free to roam and mingle with the local fisherfolk and traders. Beyond here is the beach, where sailing boats with distinctive square sails bring the day’s catch to shore.