“An epic and inspiring adventure that will stay in our hearts forever! A life changing experience that took us to places we would have never travelled, meeting locals we would have never have met. We learnt so much along the way - loved every day of the trip.
We appreciate the Social Cycles team took a risk allowing our 9 & 11 year old kids to join the trip - Brett, Hoem and Tree were the most incredible hosts and kept us all safe, cared for and entertained! Can’t thank you all enough, we’ll be back!”
“This was well-organized with a nice balance of riding and interesting activities. Lodging and food were solid to excellent. Our local guides added a great deal to our experience and we appreciated the NGO visits and information as a way to better understand Cambodia and Vietnam. We're already considering another trip with Social Cycles.”
“Mongolia is a fascinating place, with a long and interesting history, kind and generous people, and landscapes that can seem otherworldly. If you've got an open mind and a willingness to see how it all turns out this tour will reward you enormously.”
“The Social Cycles tour #Life Changing Adventures was exactly that and more! The experience was one that we will never forget, and which will change how we travel in the future. In the past we treated holidays and charitable activities as separate. We enjoyed several self-guided cycling tours through more traditional locales (Italy, Spain, Croatia). This one provided a more in-depth connection with the people and the culture rather than being mostly a sight-seeing event. The ability to travel responsibly, give to the local communities along the way, and learn about how to best help NGOs and other charitable organizations in the future, made this a life-changing experience. Our 11 day Cambodia trip (which we augmented with three extra days on the front end in Siem Reap) was well beyond expectations. Our primary guide (Hoem) was expert, incredibly attentive to detail, and a joy to be with on a personal level. Though a planned itinerary, we found that days could be somewhat flexible due to the small group size. The visits to the NGOs were also well organized and supported by the local staff to see the efforts and outcomes of the organizations in real time. We highly recommend the trip if you are interested in seeing the country from its most beautiful to its most challenging aspects of life. We left with the feelings that we had enjoyed the country, helped it in a small way and knew how to teach others to help in the future.”
“Do it! Mongolia offers a unique experience on the road less travelled. The countryside is diverse and the local people welcoming. Visiting the NGOs gives greater exposure into understanding the real issues experienced by locals which are often missed when travelling for a short period of time. You leave with a greater insight into the country and the people. The cycling, hiking, nights in the gers and company were all fantastic.”
“I really took the trip in January 2019. This was currently one of the top experiences of my lifetime and I am in my seventies. All the details for the adventure were excellently handled by Socialcycles.and the company president, Brett Seychell gave personal attention to all aspects of the experience. Local guides expertly handled all the details and gave personal attention to our needs. The cycling was fantastic and was geared to all ability levels: some cycling experience is recommended while hard core bikers will have some unique pleasures. The cycling was really for transportation to see the environment and local people. I learned so much about Cambodia and Vietnam, ate wonderful food, and cherished the interactions with the local people. Socialcycles unique NGO interactions gave a direct understanding of the challenges in these countries. This trip was a wonderful learning experience and so much fun!”
“I highly recommend travelling with Social Cycles. I have just completed my second SE Asia trip with SC.The NGO focus is one of the reasons I travel with SC. I found these visits so educational, informative and creating awareness of such important situations, causes, challenges existing I may previously have been unaware of. I can't wait for my next SC trip, it's a permanent feature of my ongoing travel planning!”
“The perfect cycling trip through Cambodia and Vietnam checked all the boxes of what cycling in Southeast Asia should be. It offered breathtaking local scenery, with the majority of the journey taking place on quiet back roads free from traffic. Along the way, riders passed through charming small villages and bustling markets, soaking in the authentic culture of the region. The accommodations were comfortable, and the food was nothing short of delicious—highlighting the rich culinary traditions of both countries. The experience was further enriched by visits to inspiring NGOs that showcased the region’s resilience and community spirit. Knowledgeable and attentive tour guides ensured the group was well taken care of, making the journey not only seamless but deeply rewarding. Truly, a dream cycling adventure through Southeast Asia!”
“This Laos tour was my 3rd trip with Social Cycles. Based on previous trips I expected and got another excellent tour! The tour went into pretty hilly remote areas. Food was great and plentiful. Backup driver Toh was brilliant. Can't wait for tour no 4. Thanks Brett”
“This trip will enable you to experience the real Laos in the most spectacular part of the country. This is not just a cycling tour . . . you will enjoy the boat trips that include a fascinating night safari, the side trips to archaeological sites and even a hands-on visit to a hamlet where spoons are made from ordnance found locally.”
“The 11-day Cambodia tour, which is nine days of actual travel, was an outstanding bike ride and an outstanding life experience. We rode along secondary roads whenever possible, meeting local people and experiencing contemporary Khmer life (not the version prepared for tourists). Much of this was made possible or made better by our leaders on the ground, So and Hoem. I can't say enough good things about them. Hotels were very good to excellent, bikes were good-quality and sized appropriately. Restaurant choices were varied but all solid. Nobody developed intestinal problems along the way, and full consideration was given to the lone vegetarian in our group. Should you do this? If you are looking for an immersive and varied experience in a fascinating culture, absolutely. Can you do this? If you are in decent shape and enjoy biking, absolutely. I work out five to six times a week but I'm otherwise very sedentary at age 56, and I did not feel challenged at all. There is one hard ride up a mountain, but you can opt out and ride up in the support van. The rest of the tour is flat. I pedaled all the way up but suffered because I had not eaten enough breakfast or drunk enough water beforehand. Caveat: November was fine, but there is a hot season and there is a rainy season in Cambodia. The experience will be different then. Not necessarily bad -- rainstorms are usually brief, and the heat should be bearable -- but different. Finally, there is the "social" in Social Cycles. We met several organizations trying to provide better opportunities for everyday Cambodians. This is a valuable part of the experience. Highly recommended! -- John, USA”
“An unexpected delight - cycling, cities, countryside but most of all the incredibly hospitable people. Brett's social philosophy adds another dimension to this trip, giving us insights into life for those less fortunate, but how they cope and flourish with love and kindness. Highly recommended!”
“Wonderful mixture of bicycling and meeting people of Cambodia. The guides are really know what there are doing. Meeting the NGOS opened the eyes about the problems in Cambodia. I am already thinking about next year to di it again!”
“An incredible experience which will last a lifetime! I loved cycling off the beaten track and learning how the local NGOs are working with their communities.
This really was a life changing adventure and I now view the world from a different perspective.”
“Such an incredible cycling tour. So and Hoem were the best tour guides, very caring and they brought us to wonderful places and people. We got so many impressions about cambodian living and the NGO‘s. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful moments with us. Esther and Christoph / Switzerland”
“It was my first tour. Could not have asked for a better experience. It was a great eye opener, a wonderful adventure, with perfect amount of enough down time and a great way to meet new people. Already planning the next trip..”
“Truely amazing and unique way to experience two very different countries, with a great team. Highly recommend the Social Cycles tour if you are looking to step outside your comfort zone, get of the beaten tourist track and immerse yourself in the local culture and landscapes. You are in safe hands and will create lifelong memories.”
“This trip was beyond my expectations - Brett was a supportive, well-educated guide whose support personnel were incredibly well organized. This is for the adventurous and those who want to be truly immersed in the local culture, food, customs and social issues.
Brett's commitment to socially responsible travel shines through out this trip, thus making the experience unforgettable and life changing. Our small group of 12 cyclists bonded and watched out for each other, thus adding to why this is one of the best trips I have ever experienced.
I felt I got my full money's worth and MORE with this trip. For those with a spirit of adventure in your heart - don't hesitate to participate in one of Brett's trips. You will be changed in your view of yourself and how you see the world. It was one of the best, if not THE BEST travel experience I was able to take! It was truly a life-changing experience for me.”
“We're not cyclers but we absolutely loved cycling around Cambodia. Such an incredible way to see and enjoy a country and we'll definitely do it again. Super well organised, amazing team+++, great bikes. We did ride at a reasonable pace (always with the van as backup - which no one needed) so I wish I'd done a bit of cycling in the lead up and defs bring riding shorts!”
“I've been fortunate enough to join Brett on two trips with Social Cycles now, met some awesome like minded people and had some great laughs
As you would expect, the accommodation is not 5 star but clean, comfortable and compĺemented with friendly staff.
The Reid mountain bicycles are comfortable, well maintained and fit for purpose, the cycling legs each day, although challenging, are achievable with some training.
If you want a cycling adventure holiday with purpose via the road less travelled, visiting and learning from local NGOs, with great people and great food.....this is it
Brett and his support team are very well organised, professional and great fun to tour with
Looking forward to my next trip with Social Cycles.”
“Botree, So and Hoem made the trip. They were so kind and happy to share their knowledge with us. We got to see some beautiful sights, eat foods I would’ve been scared to try on my own and learn loads about the life & culture in Cambodia! Highly recommend!”
“Wow Wow Wow!!!! I just returned from the cycle Cambodia to Vietnam trip Dec 2017 I have done many of these types of adventure trips, but none of them even came close to this experience. Brett will make sure that you have an epic, life-changing experience! More importantly, Brett has his HEART AND SOUL into making sure the trip is helping to make a positive impact on a social level in countries that are truly struggling. Visiting the NGO'S was surely a highlight and very eye opening. When you take a tour with Brett... yes, you cycle! but you are also helping to contribute to positive change in countries that REALLY need the help. In addition, Brett was in contact with me personally from the start. He replied to my questions and got back to me on my concerns. Other bigger companies did not do this.I really appreciated the personal communication. It is very comforting especially when traveling solo and visiting such foreign countries. If I had just one last thing to say... I would use the NIKE slogan..."JUST DO IT"”
“What a superb, insightful, humbling and impressionable trip. Tom P in Laos was first class, cycling with us and co-ordinating everything locally for us with the help of a Laos guide and Laos driver. No request was too much and the agility around 9 days over 365kms of cycling was excellent. He knows the country really well and was able to explain plenty around the various NGOs we visited, how the country operates and lots of info around the wonderful countryside we cycled. Accommodation was a good mix of local and higher grade hotels in the Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Temperatures in Oct/Nov hit 32 and 33 degrees so stay hydrated and the sweeper van was always there to help if we ran out of puff.”
“Our ride with Brett from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City was one of the most memorable trips I have ever done. It was the perfect balance of physical challenge and authentic exposure to the off road realities in Cambodia and Vietnam. We have cycled in many countries but nothing even vaguely compares with this experience. I was particularly moved by our guide Brett’s commitment to showing us the roads less travelled in these countries and his gentle and non-intrusive encouragement of all of us to see these places as he sees them and to follow him on this physical and social journey while carefully attending to our safety. A real odyssey on so many levels. We are still baking in the afterglow.”
“Exceeded my expectations. Well organised, a mixture of cycling to suit a rider at any level. The combination of Organised trips and ad hoc stops to have a swim or seem something off the beaten track really added to the overall experience.”
“My wife and I completed Brett's Cambodia to Vietnam tour. I have travelled over much of the world and have had more than a few adventures. This one was excellent in all respects. Brett has a laid back approach but a remarkable attention to detail. The tour was amazing! We toured a number of farms and organizations that are doing good for the local people. Very inspiring. Before the trip, my wife and I were concerned that we would not be able to keep up with the bicycling. We are healthy, but not especially fit, and we are a bit older; I am 68 and my wife is 57. It turned out that our worries were misplaced. The cycling was challenging but far from overwhelming and we did just fine. My goal now is to try to convince one of my grown children or one or two of my more adventurous friends to take one of Brett's tours. I know they would not be disappointed.”
“Great guides, excellent way to get to know a different side of Cambodia and Vietnam. Good quality bikes, meeting the NGO’s Ali g the way was incredibly impactful. Would definitely do it again.”
“We have been fortunate to go on a journey of a lifetime from Phonm Penh to Hoi Chi Minh. 500km in total. Brett took us right out of our comfort zones and revealed a world we didnt know existed. We cycled through a maze of interesting back roads and pathways that revealed a side of Cambodia and Vietnam most Westerners would never see. We enjoyed the cyclying part immensely. It was a challenge at times but so worth the experience. Brett is a wonderful humanitarian who introduced us to 4 NGOs along the way
We will go home and share with others the knowledge we have gained about the NGOs we visited. He is an incredible leader and organiser. Nothing seems to rattle him. We knew we were always in safe hands and felt great confidence in all his directions. All the best for Social Cycles and hopefully oneday we will join you again. Best wishes Joanna and Steve”
“Our 12 day tour from Phnom Penh to Saigon was an absolutely amazing trip. Our international group all gelled, we made new friends and we had a great time seeing the real countryside at bike pace rather than just whizzing through it in a bus. I wore my hand out waving to all the happy locals and went hoarse shouting hi in return. Both Cambodia and Vietnam are absolutely stunning countries recovering from a difficult recent past; everyone there is so happy seemingly living a very simple life which is a great lesson. All the tour guides were absolutely brilliant and freely shared their knowledge of the countries; I only wish there were bananas, pineapple, water, an ice bucket and sugar cane juice every 90 minutes on my rides in the UK. The itinerary was well structured including rest days to allow recovery from the days cycling in the heat. The insight into the NGO operations via their talks was sobering and it was rewarding to be able to give something back in the donation debate at the end in Saigon. I would definitely do a trip with them again.”
“A fantastic tour. It truly was all about the journey, not the destination. Seeing Cambodia and Vietnam at true grassroots level was amazing, with lots of adventures (both spontaneous and planned) Meeting up with the NGOs gave a greater insight and understanding of what we were seeing each day.
Brett and his team did a great job. He communicated effectively and quickly, he provided great challenges, always kept us safe, and his passion for helping the communities we were passing through was infectious. It was a definitely a memorable great tour!”
“My wife and I have cycled independently and with groups through Europe, Asia and America. We have volunteered in Laos with an NGO and seen the failures of well-meaning aid projects. For those who have not had this experience Social Cycles tours are truly a “Life Changing Experience”. For us, it gave us an in-depth view of Cambodia and the Mekong Delta. We visited five NGOs, all focused, well organised and doing great work with communities to which we were able to make a meaningful contribution. We met dedicated and inspiring people and traveled with like-minded people discussing what we were experiencing, as well as having a lot of fun. In addition, the itinerary was fascinating, the food delicious and the activities varied. There is enough free time to do your own thing or relax. The challenges are there for bike riders and there is always the bus. The guides and support staff are exceptional and add another local dimension to the trip. Brett has really nailed it with this tour, just do it.”
“Overall outstanding trip! Cycling route, length, pace, and variety was perfect for the length of tour. The people were great, and while some of this is random, I believe that you Brett, set a tone and culture that helped the group meld nicely. Your day to day organization was also good, which engendered confidence and allowed me to just relax, ride and enjoy. Having Cambodian guides/driver/mechanic is also key to a great experience and all these guys were capable , friendly and a huge asset. The FOOD was awesome. your F&B background definitely added to our experience. I particularly liked the family style meals where you would order, as it gave us variety we might not otherwise have, and also reduced the stress and hassle of ordering, splitting bills etc. The NGO and museum visits really did open my eyes to the challenges of this country, and that enhanced the trip immensely.”
“This trip was totally unlike anything that I’ve done before and went way beyond my expectations! There was such a fun and relaxed atmosphere throughout and the group genuinely felt like family by the end of the week! Exploring Cambodia’s beautiful scenery by bike was incredibly rewarding and I was willing to push my comfort zone with my cycling because I felt I could completely trust the Social Cycles team. These guys were simply the best - the most encouraging, supportive and upbeat people you could ask to cycle 200kms alongside! This really set Social Cycles apart from other tours for me, as they create such a unique and personal experience that I will remember for years. This is without a doubt a trip for your bucket list...!”
“Meeting so many wonderful people from around the globe and sharing this epic cycling journey together was awesome. The cycling was a challenge and an incredible adventure from beginning to end which far exceeded my expectation! Hats off to Brett for his skilled leadership, his encouragement and support throughout; nothing was ever a problem or too much trouble. Looking forward to my next Social Cycles adventure.”
“Mongolia is a fascinating place, with a long and interesting history, kind and generous people, and landscapes that can seem otherworldly. If you've got an open mind and a willingness to see how it all turns out this tour will reward you enormously.”
“This is the first time I've done a cycling holiday. With an off the beaten track route, excellent leading with a great group of fellow cyclists, what more could one ask for? Additionally two NGO visits helped us to understand some of the social challenges facing this beautiful country. Hoem and So were excellent guiding us through the city traffic, and helpful throughout. I would recommend this for anyone travelling as a single.”
“I'm not really one for group tours and I'm not that great a cyclist... But this tour through Cambodia and Vietnam was simply amazing. Brett's organisation pre tour is great and the tour itself is scheduled but with lots of opportunity for adventure and exploration. This tour takes you off the beaten track where you experience the real country, meet real people and gain an understanding of their challenges. The generosity of people in sharing their stories is a testament to social cycles relationships with and commitment to people striving to change their corner of the world. If you want to see the top 5 sites and stay in 5 star hotels then this isn't your tour - but if you want a travel experience that challenges, opens the mind and changes you for the better - go now!”
