The Harley Davidson street thunder Sri Lanka rally 2014 is to rev off on the 9th of August on a 9 day run across the country. A press conference was held on this today at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo.
The brute machines are back in the paradise isle for a ride of a lifetime around Sri Lanka. The Harley Davidson owners from the Middle East region have arrived with their “thunderous motorbikes” to set off on a journey around the country itruly memorable fashion. Just as it was last year, the upcoming Sri Lanka Ride will wind its way around Sri Lanka on a 9 day program covering over 1600km so that the riders can experience the country’s diversity of topology, weather, scenery, culture and its people. Those who know Harley Davidson bikes understand their sophistication, for these are bikes of classy craftsmanship which are priced higher than most cars on Sri Lankan roads.
“The event this year I dedicated to Mr. Tony Transhvale who served as the Treasurer of the Motor Racing Association of Sri Lanka (MRASL) and passed away a few week ago” said the President of the MRASL Me. Neil Hashim which followed a two minutes silence for the past Treasurer.
This Rally began last year as the Harley Owners group (HOG) from Dubai toured the country last year on their trademark “thunderous motorbikes; The Harley Davidson’s”. After last year’s success the riders have decided to return for the second year running with the group to be led by a Sri Lankan rider Mr. Leonard Pali who’ll be riding on his gigantic ‘HD’ with the National Emblem on his bike.
Vice president of John Keels Holdings group and head of Business development for Walkers tours in the Middle east region, Mr. Prabath Harshakumara said “we are delighted to be a part of the prestige” commenting on the partnership of JKH in this event. He also said “Usually we take tourists around busses, trains and micro but here it’s unique to take tourists around Harley Davidson’s”. Finally he wished the group a successful safe and memorable journey around the country.
Mr. Dilip Mudandeniya, Vice president JKH and head of brand marketing Cinnamon Hotels and resorts said “we at JKH look to do something new and unique, when we heard the HOG was coming to Sri Lanka on a tour we were pleased to join hands with them”. Another interesting statement made by Mr. Mudandeniya was “Sri Lanka is a journey with experiences and what better way than to go around in these monstrous bikes”.
Apart from the fun and enjoymet of this programme, special mention was made that a part of the proceedings of this Rally wil go for charity in aid of 200 little children from the Yatiyanthota Childrens orphanage and the Ruhunu Lama Niwasaya.
The actual tour begins on the morning of the 9th of August, when riders take to the road and make their way to Kandy. En route they will stop at several places including Imbulgoda, Cadjugama and Pinnawela before reaching the hill capital by nightfall. The evening in Kandy will be spent at the Esala Perehara giving the foreign visitors a taste of the majestic Sri Lankan culture at its best.
Day three will take the riders to Anuradhapura via the A9 highway with a stopover at Matale to discover Sri Lankan spices in Matale. After sightseeing around the city, the riders will proceed to Habarana for an overnight stay at the Cinnamon Lodge. On day 4, the riders will connect from Habarana to Nuwara Eliya via Gampola. They will stop for lunch and a dip at the scenic Ramboda Falls. The Harleys will certainly be revving up and down the hills and valleys of this hill station with the riders enjoying the colonial aura of “Little England” and the surrounding green hills. An interesting ride will take place the following day, when day 5 will take the tour on a 275km plus ride to Udawalawe via Kitulgala. On this leg, the ride will pass through Ginigathena, Kitulgala, Yatiyantota, Ratnapura, Pelmadulla, to end at the Udawalawe Safari Camp. After a game drive of the Udawalawe Park, the riders will be back on their bikes roaring their way down to the southern coast, stopping for lunch at Unawatuna. In the evening they will be riding to Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa to mingle with the local crowd.
The ride will backtrack to Galle and go around the Galle Fort as well as do a round in Galle town before heading back north to end in Bentota, where they will be accommodated at Bentota Beach Hotel. This part of the ride may well take an interior route to add more mileage as the Harley bikers are here to ride.
On 15th August or the last leg of the tour, the riders will travel from Bentota to Mount Lavinia. The route may be through the interior rather than the short direct coastal route. In Colombo, the HarleyRide ends and there will be a beach party at the Mount Lavinia Hotel which is an event by itself called HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET THUNDER SRI LANKA 2014 BEACH PARTY.
A few of the main sponsors of the event are as follows;
OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER – WALKER TOURS
OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY PARTNER – CINNAMON HOTELS & RESORTS
OFFICIAL AIRLINE PARTNER – MIHIN LANKA
OFFICIAL INSURANCE PARTNER – AIA INSURANCE
