Cycle Samoa- 8 days

The tour prices listed above includes:

• • 7 x nights fale style accommodation
  • Full Bicycle hire, including helmets and bike bags
  • Local driver and guide for the entire trip
  • Full support vehicle for the ride with water and fruit
  • Minimum two NGO presentations with local staff across Samoa
  • Multiple field trips to villages and communities
  • Entry to To Sua Ocean Trench and Togitogiga Waterfall
  • 7 dinners and breakfasts

For every Social Cycles tour, all riders are requested to contribute a nominal sum for the purpose of a donation. Usually AU$200 per rider. During the course of the tour, you are given the chance to engage with, and learn from, local NGOs. We visit no less than three NGOs during the Cambodia to Vietnam tour and spend some time learning about their projects, strategies and challenges. At the end of the tour, the riders are then empowered with new found knowledge and have the opportunity to combine the allotted donation money and make an impact towards a project of their choosing. Of the tours completed so far by Social Cycles, we have already donated over A$5000 to various NGOs within Cambodia.In addition to building a profile for our impact partners, Social Cycles also pays each NGO for their time and resources. We spend 1-2 hours with each NGO who are then remunerated, regardless of whether or not there is a follow up donation from the group.

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 always make an effort to get you settled in somewhere in town suited to that description. Where we can, we will organise boutique style accommodation for everyone (with a pool) because quite frankly, you deserve it. We’ll also make sure that a massage is not far away!

You’ve probably heard it said a dozen times already, but you’ll find some of the friendliest people on the planet in Cambodia and the same stands true for Hoem; our translator/guide/driver and all round great guy. Hoem has been with us from our very first tour and gives testament to the value of local knowledge. And of course, Brett Seychell, the Social Cycles founder does not miss an opportunity to get back on the bike and cycle through his favourite part of the world. Cycling Cambodia is the inspiration for what has become Social Cycles. 

The best part about cycling from one country to another is to cycle through the various regions of food along the way. This is slow travel at it’s best as Cambodia offers salt lakes and pepper farms, fresh crab markets in Kep and tarantulas in Phnom Penh (optional!) Meanwhile, in the Mekong Delta, you will roll your own noodle sheets and eat your way through a street food degustation sensation of everything sweet, salty, spicy and sour! You’ll never eat at Roll’d again!

In Cambodia, we use Reid X-Trail 26 (and some X-Trail 29’s) 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. Flick the mechanical lock-out, and the Suntour XCT 100mm travel fork becomes rigid, ideal for fast climbs and hard sprinting. When the trail points down, powerful mechanical disc brakes, 24-speed Shimano gearing and 2.10″ tyres you power and control. Reid X-Trails feature tough alloy Alex DH-17 double-walled rims with stainless steel spokes and KT quick release hubs. This makes up a light, robust and reliable wheelset. All bikes come equipped with a water cage, but for hygienic reasons, you’ll need your own water bottle.

When we embark on an 85km day, the distance can seem quite daunting. However, an early start for 7am and an ETA of 4pm arrival gives us 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 and Vietnamese coffees, local treats, lunch and of course, to take plenty of pictures. When we are moving, the average pace is about 20km per hour but that is flexible depending on the confidence of the group. Our small group policy means it’s easier for all of us to stay together. You don’t need to be super fit for this ride, you just need to be positive.

We take a minimum of four riders and a maximum of 10. We strongly believe that when you travel with a group beyond 10, there is a risk that voices and opinions may be drowned out when we have the rare opportunities to visit NGOs and ask questions to local leaders.

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. In Kampot, we visit the ethical clothing manufacturer, Dorsu. Here we will have the chance to learn more about the real story behind the garment factory workers by visiting them directly. Chumkriel Language School is an incredible oorganization that go so far beyond teaching language. In Vietnam, we may have the chance to visit some of the bigger organisations and see how their system helps the community. Heifer International pioneered the agricultural pay it forward program, adopted by NGOs and communities all over the world. Habitat for Humanity focus on building shelters for the disadvantaged with a help up, not hand out philosophy.