AccorHotels Cycle Cambodia

AccorHotels Diversity & Inclusion

Cycle Cambodia 2017

Everything you need to know

Congratulations on having a go at cycling across Cambodia!
Cambodia is an amazing country to cycle across. From the chaos of the Phnom Penh to the calm of the countryside, Cambodia is easy to fall in love with. The days are long, the country is hot and the people are super friendly. From the constant and random “HELLO!!” from the children on the side of the road, to the Community Development programs set up by the truly selfless and unsung heroes of this world. Travelling Cambodia by bike is an incredible adventure!

We cycle three days out of five to cover the 160km between Siem Reap & Phnom Penh.

This incredible AccorHotels ride will raise much needed funds for some incredible organizations based in Cambodia and Thailand. What’s even better, is that you’ll have the chance to meet some of these great people and learn how they’re making a difference in their community, and across the country!

Features & inclusions

[fruitful_tabs type=”vertical” width=”96%” fit=”false” id=”itinerary-details-tabs”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Social Impact”]

Congratulations for getting involved and making a difference! Your fundraising will go towards a variety of projects throughout Cambodia and Thailand, via six different organizations! What’s better though, is that you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the NGOs along the way and have the chance to ask questions to the local experts and find out exactly what happens on the ground at these grass root NGOs.[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”NGO Partners”]

The money raised in this fundraising activity will go towards a number of grass root social impact based organizations across Cambodia and Thailand. We will have the chance to interact with and learn from all the Cambodian NGOs along the course of the ride. We start with Ecole Paul Dubrule in Siem Reap, where AccorHotels co-founder Mr Paul Dubrule will join us! Ecole Paul Dubrule is training and education facility for young Cambodians to learn about sustainable tourism. We’ll also be joined by some of the team behind This Life Cambodia, in Siem Reap, as they cycle the first leg to the boat port with us. TLC have pioneered a program (among other things) that virtually eliminates the risk of youth re-offending after prison. Friends International are leading the charge in the ‘ChildSafe’ movement and the ‘Think Families, Not Orphanages’ campaign. Friends International have an office in Phnom Penh, which makes for a great introduction to Cambodia. Sustainable Cambodia are a grass roots locally run NGO operating in the province of Pursat. Focusing on everything to do with education and community development. This results in the operation of pre-school centres in remote villages, supplementary schooling programs, WASH initiatives, vocational training, agricultural pass on programs, community gardens and recycling education, just to name a few! In Battambang, Cambodia Children’s Trust (CCT), established by Aussie Tara Winkler, is creating a model which could (& should) drastically reduce institutionalized residential care for children and keep them with their families. The funds raised will also be directed towards YimKids of Thailand, Accor’s charity partner that works towards breaking the cycle of poverty through educational opportunities and child health care. [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Hotels”]

You know you’re going to experience true luxury at the start and end of your trip, as you’re staying in Sofitel in both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. But what about in between? We understand how important it is to take rest in a place that’s clean and comfortable – especially after a hard slog on the bikes. That’s why we’ve managed to secure hotels in the small’ish towns of Battambang and Pursat that can accommodate the entire team together. Both hotels have a pool, massage and spa facilities, air conditioned rooms and breakfast from 6am.It’s important to note that all accommodation is based on twin or triple share. You can indicate you’re preferred room mate in the registration form and we’ll do our best to accommodate all requests.[/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Hosts”]

For this adventure, Social Cycles will put together a team of 15-18 support staff, including Social Cycles founder, Brett Seychell to lead. This will be a mix of drivers, tour managers, mechanics and local support. Our transport logistics will be managed by our Khmer hero, Hoem (pictured). [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Food”]

When you get back from your holiday, you’ll probably realise you’ve just consumed your weights worth in rice. Like most Asian countries, rice is a staple so you’ll find it in most restaurants and street stalls. This is great for us because it’s perfect for our cycling days. Our “go-to” dish, if you will, is pork and rice or as the Khmer call it – Bai Sach Chrouck. Other dishes you’ll come across are fish amok, chicken fried rice, stir fried noodles and for the slightly more adventurous, crispy tarantulas.We also support NGO based social enterprise restaurants in Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap, and it is without doubt, that these restaurants offer some of the best food in Cambodia! [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Bikes”]

In Cambodia, we will use Giant, Trek and some Reid mountain bikes to get us through some of the tough terrain that awaits. As most of the riding is off the beaten track, the front suspension makes for a much more supportive ride. All bikes have disc brakes and 24-speed gearing. Wheel sizes range from 26″, 27.5″ and 29″, depending on the size of the frame. All bikes come equipped with a water cage, but for hygiene reasons, you’ll be supplied your own water bottle. There are no saddle bags on the bikes but you are welcome to fit and bring your own. You are also welcome to bring your own saddle. It is not recommended to bring clip in pedals as a quick landing could be required on dirt tracks. [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Support Vehicles”]

The amazing Mr Hoem and his team are never far away in the support vehicles. We will be supported by four trucks, two mini vans and two full size coaches (and three boats in one section). If the path allows, Hoem will trail behind us at a leisurely pace, on hand if you need to top up your water or grab a banana. On occasion, the path can turn to single track or a recent rainfall can make life a little too difficult for the van. When this happens, we arrange meeting points usually no further away than 10-15km intervals. The beauty of a support van means that you can bring all the luggage you like (or shop till you drop!) and it will be carried safely for you. If at any point. you want to take some time off the bikes, the air conditioning of the van can be a sweet temptation! [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Cycling Distances”]

There will be a lead cyclist and a tail (team). In addition, there will be allocated tour leaders and mechanics within the mix riding with their allocated teams. Daily distances range from 40km to 70km, but the challenge is not to be underestimated. It is the terrain that can make this ride particularly adventurous. However, an early start for 6:45am and an ETA of 4pm arrival gives us over 9 hours to get there. And two hours of extra daylight up our sleeve if we need it! Travelling by bicycle is not about the destination, but the journey. We’ll stop for Khmer coffees, local treats, lunch and of course, to take plenty of pictures. When we are moving, the average pace is about 18-22km per hour but that is flexible depending on the terrain and weather conditions. We’ll do our best to stay together and will have regular meeting points at intervals. You will need to download Ride With GPS App on your phone, to let you know the route. Click here for iTunes and here for Google Play. [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”Communication”]

Internet coverage is quite strong in Cambodia, even in some remote places. We’ll utilize Whatsapp to confirm regular communication between smaller groups and one large team. It’s also a great way to share photos! Each tour leader will have a team of 12 riders to host and support (and will share a Whatsapp group communication channel). This is a great way to ask questions to your tour manager, but not the entire team (eg. what time is dinner again? where can I get a massage? etc). We will also have an entire team Whatsapp channel. This will be to communicate any last minute updates to timings, share links to more info, share the best photos of the day etc. Please register on Whatsapp BEFORE you arrive in Cambodia. When you change to a local SIM, you can keep using your original number and contacts. Download the app from iTunes or Google Play. [/fruitful_tab]
[fruitful_tab title=”What’s included”]

The adventure includes:

hotel accommodation in Battambang and Pursat (twin/triple share)
Bicycle and helmet hire
Support team, mechanics and guides (tips not included)
Full support vehicles for the ride with water and fruit
NGO presentation with local staff in Pursat
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners (including beer & wine where available)
Arrival and departure dinner in Social Enterprise based training restaurants
Phare Ponleur Selpak Circus performance in BattambangYou will need personal money for small additional snacks and drinks from local shops whilst riding (Coke, Red Bull etc). AccorHotels will arrange your accommodation at Sofitel. you will need to take care of your own airport transfer and visa arrangements.
[fruitful_tab title=”What to pack”]To cycle in should bring a full sleeve, highly breathable sports top, lightweight quick dry shorts, a visor/cap for under your helmet, closed shoes, gloves and sunglasses. We will provide one cycling top for your use, but you should bring additional as there will not be washing facilities along the way. You will generally live in shorts, t-shirts and flip flops whilst in Cambodia. Other bits and pieces you might need are:

Itinerary

November 23rd- Arrival Day- Siem Reap (+)

Arrival day, registration and welcome dinner

After you arrive at the airport, you’ll need to grab a taxi or tuk tuk to Sofitel Angkor in Siem Reap. Once you’ve checked into the hotel, you’ll be directed to the Social Cycles desk, where we’ll give you a little gift bag and get you fitted for your bike. You’ll need to have this done prior to 5pm.

14:00 – 17:00 Social Cycles registration and bike fitting
17:00 – 18:00 Welcome presentation and briefing
18:00 – 18:30 Transfer to dinner via coach
18:30 – 20:30 Dinner at Marum restaurant. A Friends International Social Enterprise restaurant.

November 24th- Cycle Day #1- Siem Reap to Battambang (+)

Our first ride, boats and a circus

From an early start, we’ll ride from the hotel to the boat port via Ecole Paul Dubrule. This 23km ride will be go via some local villages in the back roads of Siem Reap, before getting to the port. This ride will be joined by Mr Dubrule himself and some members of the This Life Cambodia team. The boat will take us within 20km of Battambang, where we will ride into the hotel for 5pm. Dinner is at the hotel, followed by a private performance from the Phare Circus team.

06:00 Breakfast in the hotel. Participants will need to have eaten breakfast, checked out and transferred luggage to their allocated truck/coach prior to 6.45am.
06:45 Bike collection and small team safety briefing outside hotel
06:55 Departure from Sofitel Angkor via bicycle. Cycle route with allocated groups for Leg 1, which goes via Ecole d’Hotellerie et Tourisme Paul Dubrule.
07:25 Arrive at Ecole d’Hotellerie et Tourisme for photo shoot.
07:45 Cycle to ferry terminal (18km). This ride crosses over Highway 6, then takes back roads to the ferry terminal. Total distance is 23km.
09:30 Arrive ferry terminal, load bikes, riders and lunch. Lunch is to be consumed on the boat.
15:00 Arrive Praek Trab village and unload bikes. Cycle into Battambang. This is an 18km leg, which has dirt road/track for the first 3-4km. Support van and water station waiting at Praek Trab. A small number of riders can take the van from this point back to the hotel. (Up to 30).
17:00 Arrive at Khemara Battambang Hotel. Take time to relax and shower before dinner.
18:00 Buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant, includes beer, wine and soft drinks.
19:00 Depart hotel for Phare Poleu Selpak Circus.
19:30 Circus performance from Phare Ponleur Selpak
21:00 Return to hotel

November 25th- Cycle Day #2- Battambang to Pursat (+)

Local village riding, temples and Sustainable Cambodia visit

Another early start and we’ll join some of the team from Cambodia Childrens Trust as we cycle out of Battambang straight after another early breakfast. A quick break at Battambang temple, then lunch in a local village, before we transit to Pursat via coach. On the way to dinner, we’ll meet the team at Sustainable Cambodia for a quick visit of their campus.

06:00 Breakfast in the hotel. Participants will need to have eaten breakfast, checked out and transferred luggage to their allocated truck/coach prior to 6.45am.
06:45 Bike collection and small team safety briefing outside hotel
06:55 Cycle departure from hotel. Cycle route with allocated groups towards first stop at Banan Temple. Total distance is 53km. Terrain is compact gravel through villages via Banan temple, and surfaced road. Local cultural points of interest on route.
09:30 Arrive at Banan Temple to explore with local guides.
10:30 Depart Banan Temple towards Phnum Thippadei village (lunch)
13:00 Cycle towards highway 5 (35km) via two water stations on route.
14:00 Transit to Pursat town via coach (75km)
15:30 Arrive KM Hotel, Pursat, for R&R, pool, massage etc.
17:30 Transit to Sustainable Cambodia for NGO engagement and learning experience
18:30 Dinner at Mlob Svay local restaurant, including beer and soft drinks (wine not available)
20:30 Coach return to hotel

November 26th- Cycle Day #3- Pursat to Phnom Penh (+)

A huge 70km ride, some local ferries and a Sofitel welcome

After an early breakfast, we’ll make our way straight onto the bus and transfer to our allocated drop off point on Highway 5. From here we cycle the quiet roads via the Tonle Sap river all the way into Phnom Penh. A couple of last minute local ferries and you’ll be able to cycle all the way up to the front door of Sofitel Phnom Penh!

06:00 Breakfast in hotel
07:00 Departure from the hotel via coach. Participants will need to have eaten breakfast, checked out and transferred luggage to their allocated truck prior to 06:45.
09:30 Arrive for cycling departure via dirt roads, from Highway 5. Cycle to lunch (28km).
12:00 Arrive in small commune for local lunch.
13:00 Cycle to Phnom Penh via 3 water stations along route (47km) and two ferries.
17:30 Arrive Phnom Penh Sofitel
19:00 Coach transfer to dinner
19:30 Dinner at Romdeng restaurant (private hire)
21:30 Coach returns to hotel

November 27th- Departure Day- Phnom Penh to home (+)

Departure Day

A relaxed morning and a chance to catch up on anything you may have missed in Phnom Penh. The morning is also an opportunity to explore the recent history of the Khmer Rouge in one of the dedicated museums or just squeeze in one more massage, go on, you deserve it!

Maps you’ll want to download

The beauty of cycling around Cambodia is that it’s virtually dead flat. We reach a maximum height of 84m above sea level. You’d barely even notice it. The map below outlines lunch spots, water stations etc. You’ll always be with your tour manager, but it’s handy to have. Download the app from the link.