Three Peak Cycling Challenge 2015

It was 4 a.m. on 31 July at the cyclists’ Cafe Spinner in Battaramulla; the city was still asleep on holiday mode, but at Spinner, the excitement was palpable in the air. 

The thrilling climb over the three scenic mountains – Ginigathena, Hatton, and Radella was officially scheduled to begin from Kitulgala later in the day, but the ever enthusiastic WrooM riders had decided to push the game a notch higher by beginning their ride from Madiwela which would require them to ride an extra 80 km as a warm up, before the gruelling climb began. At 4.30 a.m. the WrooMies were on their way to the starting point, their penchant for adventure escalating with every pedal.  

Yasas Hewage, the Founder of the WrooM group when speaking about the Three Peak Challenge, stated that this is probably one of the most challenging and exciting climbs in the world, and the fact that the route spanned across dynamic, picturesque landscapes, was a welcome treat to the riders. 

Radella, the ultimate climb

Officially, the challenge commenced from Kitulgala at 8.30 a.m.; thirty riders, thirty-five support crew members as back up, and three peaks to ascend! From the starting point, Ginigathena, Hatton and Radella are respectively 15Kms, 40Kms, and 55Kms away. 

It is definitely noteworthy, that the 3063m climb up to Radella falls into HC (Hors catégorie) climb in the Tour de France ranking. Translated, this literally means ‘beyond categorisation’, or an incredibly difficult climb. This sure made the Three Peak Challenge a daunting task uphill, but the riders took it in strike (or ride), and at the finish line, just knowing that they had pushed their very limits long enough to reach there, made the effort both rewarding and gratifying. The name of the game was ‘Endurance’, and not only was the ride soaring, but their spirits did too. 

The riders had the option of either completing the challenge at their own pace, or competing for a podium position. Veteran participants were Lesley Rupasinghe, J.L Dullawa, S.M.D Chithrasena, A.F Jayalath and Pradeep Chandana Silva. Elite Riders from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and Port Authority included Gihan Pushpakumara, Thushan Rajapaksha, Janaka Hematha Kumara, Nihal Silva, Suranga Ranaweera, Buddhika Warnakulasuriya, Nidush Nirantha, Sudeera Nilanga, Upul Lokuge and Wiran Ramesh. Yasas Hewage, Ajith Fernando, Jehan Bastians, Lilantha Wijayapala, Suren Abeysuriya, Milanka Induruwage, Dushmantha Jayasinghe, Shehan C, Gihan Hemachandra, Aneesha Iddawala and Shehan were the WrooM cyclists who participated. 

The new climbing champ of Sri Lanka

The challenge ended with Buddhika Warnakulasuriya competing from the Air Force Elite Riders’ crew, winning the ascend and securing the Championship for the Three Peaks Challenge in a record time of 2hrs and 39mins. Though the climb was Herculean, he clocked an average of 26kmph! Subsequently, the first 10 riders completed the Challenge within a minute since the Champion’s arrival at the checkered flag.  Yasas Hewage clocked competitive 3hrs and 40 minutes behind the elite riders underlining the potential of amateur athletes.

A dream for gold

The Three Peak Challenge was sponsored by Land Rover, Dell and Spinner, and was partnered by Hemas Hospital. While sponsors bore the cost of the National riders, the proceeds were contributed towards the support of ‘Blinking Bikes’ Road Safety Programme for school children in the Central Province. With the completion of this arduous Challenge, not only did WrooM reach a new milestone, but also stamped its name in the gruelling game of endurance. 

Three Peaks Climbing Challenge is planned to be held as an annual event with a dream of building a Sri Lankan cyclist capable of competing at a global level. For more information contact [email protected].