Brian’s Sri Lanka Challenge Day 2 – Sigiriya to Kandy 

This year my annual charity bike challenge takes me to Sri Lanka. It will be a hard challenge with 457km of riding and numerous climbs over 6 days.

I am raising funds for The Openwork Partnership Foundation, who give grants to small local charities supported by the many members of the Openwork family, and Holding on letting Go, who give bereavement advice to children in KENT and SE London.

Please, please, please, help with a donation, however big or small, as anything you give will be used for these amazing causes. https://bit.ly/sponsorbriandownton2024

DAY 2 Tue 12 Nov

We had another early breakfast today so we could start today’s ride early to avoid the heat later in the day.

We wound along quiet, scenic roads from the hotel, taking in the rice farms, chilli farms and man-made lakes that surrounded us.

The first few miles were pretty flat but had lured us into a false sense of security as we hit the day’s first climb at about 18km. And there were more climbs to come. As we entered the spice-growing region, the roads began to climb and climb until we finally finished the day’s cycling at the lunch stop. From here, we transferred the final 30km by bus to Kandy, where we will relax for the night.

We have ridden 75.35 km in total so far, including 622 metres of climbing in extreme temperatures and stifling humidity. You can see the statistics in the image below.

It was such a tough day in the heat that some of the team were forced onto the coach early. The rest worked as a team and encouraged everyone else to the finish line where there were a few tears of joy, as you can imagine.

Now to rest and recover. We need to be ready for the toughest day, tomorrow!

Keep your eye out for tomorrow’s update.

Brian