Most Inspirational Moment
The visits to local businesses and the visit to Angkor Wat were great, and the cameraderie of the group and team members was really important, and the gentle rides by the river were lovely.
The well placed stops for amazing snacks, fruit and all important plentiful cold drinks and water were marvellous.
Cold beers at the end of the day were not to be forgotten as well!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Absolutely faultless, Khim and his team did so well considering this was the first trip of its kind, dealing with our different needs and expectations with consideration and great humour.
Not bombarding us with facts - in no way did I feel 'templed out' - but answering all our questions and advice with candour and understanding and giving us a real background to the country's trials and tribulation both past and present.
His insights into Buddhism and the complicated religious history of the sites was a real bonus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the heat - even with early starts the temperature soon rose impressively and we were regularly soaking scarves, buffs, and cotton caps in ice cold water to deal with the mid-morning and midday heat.
The cycling is almost entirely flat, but don't be fooled by the seemingly low mileage. It's a grade 3 due to the heat and the road surfaces which were in some places pretty good, but more often were paths that varied from reasonably well surfaced, to rather gravelly, to pretty much no surface at all (basically just sand!). The bikes are brilliant and well-suited to the conditions and the need for the big tyres soon becomes very obvious. There is even a short stretch of real offroading through the sandy jungle around Angkor which was new to me and great fun once I got used to it.
There are a few seemingly daunting stertches, but everyone was allowed to go at their own pace (although cycling with someone else always made it easier and the support from the second cyclist Hian was superb).
Suggestions
As many people write in these reviews, just go for it!
It was a great trip, extremely satisfying and fun (and very cheap as well). Take a gel saddle cover, padded gloves, something to protect your head from the sun that you can douse in ice-cold water which fits under your cycling helmet, and a good attitude.
