Around Sri Lanka in six days

At 65, Joyce Bacon's sense of 'joie de vivre' beats most others who are half her age. With a zest for adventure running strong in her veins, the 'challenge' was too tempting to resist. However 500km of mountainous slopes and flat ground to be conquered on bicycles under any weather conditions within six days would test even the most adventurous. But Joyce was not one to let the opportunity pass. 

"I'm no spring chicken, I'm a Bacon," she says with a laugh recalling how she cycled around Sri Lanka in six days. "I got a letter from the National Deaf Children's Society in England informing me of the cycle challenge in Sri Lanka and my husband asked me whether I was up to it." 

Joyce who works out twice-a-week was confident since this was not her first cycling challenge (she had cycled 450 km in China from The Great Wall to Tiananmen Square in five days). "I always wanted to visit the island and this I thought was a great opportunity." On November 10, sans her husband, who had to stay behind due to heart surgery and to look after their animals, she left for Sri Lanka.

Joyce was part of a group of 30 adventurous people who were part of the 'Charity Cycle Challenge Sri Lanka' organised by Whittal Boustead Travels Ltd. the local agents for Kuoni to raise funds for the National Deaf Children's Society. "It was very well organised. We were provided with bikes but I had mine fitted with my own saddle so as not to have too much of a sore bottom." Two police escorts and three professional cyclists from the Sri Lankan Air Force escorted the group, which also included a doctor and a physiotherapist. An ambulance, a baggage van and a cycle van accompanied them throughout. "The food and accommodation provided was fantastic. We were well looked after."

The group would start at around six in the morning and do around five to six hours of cycling a day. "Of course we had convenient stops which were much needed because it used to get really tiring." As a group they constantly encouraged each other to keep going at times when giving up seemed the saner option. Through villages and pot-holed roads in the heat and bustling townships through heavy traffic, it was a new experience all the way. 

"Suddenly a lorry would come too close to us and it would be a bit scary. Riding the hills was formidable. The last day was especially hard because we did 90 km. I thought China was hard but this was tougher. I kept saying 'please God help me complete this' because at times I really felt like stopping and taking a bus ride," Joyce said.

At times the others advised her to stop but Joyce was made of sterner stuff. "I was told I was going to ride 500km and climb a mountain (Sigiriya) in two hours and I wasn't going to go home and tell people I didn't do it." When the group went up Sigiriya many were of the opinion that she should not tire herself coming right to the top but there was no stopping Joyce. "I was determined not to give in." 

However there were moments when the course got easier due to rain and the cool weather in the hills. Sri Lanka's scenic landscape also spurred her on. "It was absolutely breathtaking. 

Undoubtedly the most beautiful country I've been to and the people always waving and shouting hello was fantastic," said Joyce. "We visited the Temple of the Tooth and a wood carving factory and various other places...it was a wonderful experience." They also went to Society Ltd, the deaf and blind school in Anuradhapura to which they donated a cheque of 2000 pounds from this cycle challenge. "We had a look around the place and it was quite cramped. They put on a performance for us and served us food and drink. 

We all felt really touched and were happy we could help them."

On Friday, November 17 the group having completed the six-day course on schedule, was escorted back by a lorry with a band at the back. What is etched foremost in Joyce's mind is a sense of achievement not just for herself but for all the 'special' children they rode for. 

"We were helping in another way. I can't explain to anyone the fantastic feeling I felt when we had completed the tour. It was overwhelming and all so emotional." 

The group went their separate ways at the conclusion of the cycling challenge, but a reunion has been planned in London "so that we can meet, talk and look at each other's photographs. I want to come back to Sri Lanka with my husband. I've never met more friendly, warm and honest people nor seen a more beautiful country,Joyce adds.

It will be back to nursing for Joyce Bacon who left Sri Lanka for Kent, England with fine unblended tea, spices and other souvenirs. 

However taking pride of place among her treasured remembrances would be her 9 film rolls chockful of memories of a challenge well met. 

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