About this Book
This book is a personal account of my cycle tour around Sri Lanka, forming part of my
round-the-world cycle ride. It's important to note that there are many different routes
to take, and the route I describe in this book may not be the best option foreveryone. If you plan to use this book as a cycling guide, please remember that it is
based on my personal experience and preferences.
The distances
The daily distances recorded in this blog may not be the shortest between two pointsas I tend to deviate occasionally. However, the daily kilometres covered were
accurately measured by my odometer. The reading sometimes varied from distance
markers and maps, and at times, it was over-reading or under-reading. I always
noted the kilometres covered at the end of the day.
Time of year and date
This blog documents my cycling journey around Sri Lanka from February to March
- Some things may have changed since then, such as the condition of the roads
or the state of the places where I stayed. The hills may or may not have been as
steep as I described, but they certainly felt that way at the time.
Insurance
A travel insurance policy is necessary to cover theft, loss, and medical problems.
Some policies exclude “dangerous activities,” including scuba diving, motorcycling,
and trekking. I don’t think cycling is dangerous but check the small print.
Clothing
We spend most of our days cycling, so having good-quality padded cycling shorts is
essential. Although I usually cycle in ordinary sandals, you can wear any comfortablefootwear. Since it's boiling in the tropics, you probably won't need warm clothes, but if
you think you might, feel free to pack something slightly warmer.
Personal toiletries should include insect repellent and anti-chafe cream. I recommend
using a cycling helmet even though I don’t use one.
The bicycle and equipment
The most important thing when choosing a bicycle for your needs is comfort. I use amountain bike with a Merida frame equipped with Shimano Deore parts, Alex wheel
rims, and Schwalbe tyres. To carry my belongings during the ride, I use Tubus bicycle
racks and Ortlieb panniers, which can be a bit pricey but are worth it in the long run.
It's essential to know how to fix a punctured tube, and it's also convenient to have a
phone holder on the handlebar for navigation purposes. I use Organic Maps or Google
Maps for this. A handlebar bag is also a must-have for carrying a camera and otheritems you may need throughout the day.
Recommended further reading
Lonely Planet: The e-book is less expensive and a handy guide.