Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

for me just making it all the way to the end was a big moment for me.i've never done a trip like this before. if I can do it so can you

Thoughts on Group Leader

our group leader [is] was fabulous. she is a wonderful lady that went out of her way to show us things that we wouldn't have seen without her.i cant speak high enough of her and all the bike team crews were very helpful as well.a big thank you to you all.THANK YOU.

Advice for Potential Travellers

just go and do it

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first day cycling in Vietnam, though tiny villages of people who were just delighted to see us. Totally unforgettable! In addition, Angkor Wat, which makes you feel like Indiana Jones and is just mind blowing

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Rit - and what a great guy! He was a monk until the age of 25, and told us all about his background and Thai culture which was fantastic (we also benefitted from being such a small group). His organization was flawless - everything was always ready, prepared and on time, so all we had to do was get on the bike and pedal. He was also very funny and genial, which made the whole trip a real pleasure. I can't recommend Rit highly enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

So here are some must-takes and don't-takes! Must take - padded cycling shorts - you would be *even* sorer without these! - cycling gloves - otherwise your hands start going numb..... - lots of sunscreen - cycling/sport sunglasses - we discovered that regular ones don't really work well with your helmet... - hand sanitizer and tissues - about a third of the toilet stops are drop-toilets with no running water... Don't need to take - snacks - even though this is in the packing list, the team goes out and buys crisps, fruit and chocolate bars every night, and they're available every hour when you stop. I ended up not eating the ones I'd brought with me - too many clothes -there are 3 opportunities to wash clothes, so you only need a week of clothes, max - electrolyte powder - again, they have this on the support van, although if you like a particular kind, then definitely bring that You also might consider - a handlebar bag - we brought these, and were glad we did. They gave us instant access to our camera, sunblock, hand sanitizer etc., even between the van stops. However, you can also get into your daypack on the bus during the breaks so it's not something you *have* to have. - I cycled mostly in Tevas (sport sandals) and found it more comfortable and cooler than wearing sneakers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the villages of each of the countries, "high-fiving" the children who came running out to say hello to us as we passed by.Also, the delicious lunch we had one day in the Mekong Delta, cooked by the family of the bike mechanic, set in a beautiful location. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit, our guide who accompanied us for the entire trip, was just fantastic. I cannot say anything bad about him. He was always smiling, and kept everything ticking along like clockwork.Sum, who was with us in Thailand and Cambodia was also brilliant - the two guides made a brilliant team, with their interesting stories and facts about the countries, their great organisation and wicked sense of humour.I was sad to say goodbye to both of them at the end of the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring some good padded shorts, a sense of humour, and your stamina! This is a great trip but there are some long days, especially for the first few days. However, the group leaders are very motivating, there are so many interesting things to see, and the trip was very well organised.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the rural areas in particular.  We enjoyed learning about the different crops like rice, rubber plantations, and how people make their living, and the culture.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was a great leader.  She made the trip very enjoyable and we felt very safe.  She is knowledgable, friendly, and she made sure we all had a good experience.  She worked well with the other local guides and kept us on time so we wouldn't miss out on anything.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the cycling is in fairly heavy traffic so you should be comfortable riding in traffic.  The group used hand signals to indicate potholes, obstacles, etc. for the rider behind which was very helpful.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit in the home stay and the biking in the Mekong Delta was the best part.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very plesent expirience, we had the best guide you could give us. She was very aware about our securety and very paitent with everybody. She also had a great knowledge of how people lived in the different countries and how one ought to behave.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many:cycling on road and off road by quiet plantations, jungle, forests, rivers, canals, deserted hamlets, markets, and also through busy towns and exciting local traffic. Friendly waves everywhere. The highly impressive Angkor Wat, but also rest stops at ordinary local Buddhist temples.Homestay and boat trips in the Mekon DeltaVisiting the haunting Killing Fields and the S 21 detention centre, as well as exploring the Vietcong tunnels. Distressing, but important to experience.Saigon by day and night- a beautifu, vibrant cityGood accommodation and outstanding food at great value . At lunches and evening meals we experienced a range of truly delicious local dishes. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was outstanding in every way: kind, considerate, attentive to the needs both of the group and of individuals, funny and so well informed. Definitely one of the very best leaders ever. She led a very good, supportive team of guides, drivers, mechanics and cyclists.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The bikes were very good, but I was glad I brought my own saddle and pedals: having clip-on shoes was an advantage. I also brought a small saddlebag to fix on my saddle, so I did not have to carry anything on my back in the heat. But then you can access your things from the support bus every 10-20K.No need to bring cycle snacks- the provisions at every rest stop were amazing. There was water, electrolyte sachets, iced tea and coffee, coke. To eat we had many delicious fruit, nuts, biscuits and local delicacies to try.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were insperational moments every day, i.e: Riding along the countryside together with the lovely people in the group. The homestay in Mekong delta - being out into the jungle - listening to the sounds of the animals in the night.The wonder of Angkor Wat.Learning about the horror of Killing fields. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was a marvellous leader: he always tried to do the best for us. Always nice and smiling and caring. He is the best!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring padded shorts and suncreamBring dollars, small notesArrive one day ahead to cope with the jetlagBring small gifts to give to the local children on your wayJust book now - it's a wonderful trip  

Most Inspirational Moment

Long cycling rides in 35+ degree temperatures through rural villages, being waived to and smiled at by the friendly locals, the amazing sites of the Wats, the sadness of the killing fields and S21, the interesting history of the Cu Chi Tunnels, nice hotels, good food (and plenty of it), a night on an island in the Mekong Delta, relaxed and quiet with a cold beer on the verandah and even a cooking lesson if you want it, great travelling companions and last but certainly not least, a great tour leader (Rit).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Rit was superb. He was cool, calm and collected at all times, friendly, helpful and always smiling. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he was always availble to help with any problems that arose (not that there were very many of those). He was well supported by the teams in each of the three countries we visited and a special mention to Mr Black (owner of the cycle hire company in Thailand) and also Mr Nod, who cycled at the back of the pack to ensure no one was left behind. Mr Black was also an accomplished photographer and took thousands of excellent photos of everybody in the group as we cycled along. Also a BIG thankyou to Rit and the team who organised a surpirse ice cream birthday cake and photo slideshow for my partner at the evening meal. Also a thank you to Mr Lam in Vietnam for letting us visit his home village for lunch with his family and being very informative during our Vietnam visit.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack - there are two places to do laundry on the trip so you really only need 7 days of clothing.Ensure you bring some insect spray (Deet) many of us were bitten by mozzies.Bring a 32gb usb memory stick as Mr Black (see above) is happy to put all of the photos / videos of the group on it for you, alternatively he does put them on facebook as well.When you go to the Cu Chi tunnels, there is the opportunity to fire some guns at a firing range, you are offered the empty shells as a souvenir, but as I found out at the airport on departure you will most likely be stopped and have them removed (slightly worrying at the time)As you will be visitng three countries an exhange rate convertor app on your phone would be useful.Bring a day pack for carrying your essentials, cameras, sun lotion etc, but you won't need to cycle with it (leave in the support vehicle) we had regualr stops when cycling and the refreshments provided - fresh fuit, choc bars, peanut brittle etc and cold water were plentiful. There are also rehydration sachets available so no need to bring those.

Most Inspirational Moment

The local people were the biggest inspiration; many of them live humble, uncluttered lives, work hard and seem genuinely happy. Others – such as our guide at the Killing Fields – had been directly affected by conflict but used their experience to really bring the country’s history to life. Also worthy of a mention was the day on which I heard the most beautiful music coming from a forest which ran alongside the road. I thought it was a temple - or someone playing an instrument during a break from their work. It was truly a magical moment, when – from behind the trees – emerged a couple of blokes in a van piled high with bric-a-brac with their radio on… 

Thoughts on Group Leader

From the moment we arrived - after almost a day in transit – to our farewells at Ho Chi Minh airport, Rit’s cheerful demeanour, sense of humour and absolute professionalism stood out. He is passionate about cycling and I had complete confidence that he’d make sure we had fun but stayed safe from any crazy drivers while out and about. Nothing was ever too much bother for Rit – he was there at breakfast to answer any questions or offer a bit of sympathy in return for tales of ‘undulating’ bellies. He made sure we knew how to get our laundry done or where we could find water and snacks. There’s no doubt that looking after the welfare of 18 people and managing three different driving crews is a huge responsibility, but Rit is so well-organised and such a people person it seems to come naturally. I was really touched by the birthday cake he and the Thailand guys arranged for my 40th – it was a lovely thought.

Advice for Potential Travellers

 You’ll have the opportunity to use the excellent local laundry services both in Siem Reap and HCMC so don’t overpack!Don’t try to bring your spent gun shells home from the Cu Chi tunnels – they will be confiscated by airport security and you'll face a long walk back to the freedom of the departure gateDollars are widely accepted in Cambodia (bring low denominations), but I found it easier to use local currency in Thailand and Vietnam.The food is often served warm rather than piping hot – it took a bit of getting used to! 

Most Inspirational Moment

There was no specific moment, because the trip was full of them - all the time, morning, afternoon and night. Off course there were  well known, spectacular highlights of different kinds like the Angkor area in Siem Reap, the terrible story of the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng in Phnom Pehn, the Cu Chi viet cong tunnels in Saigon and so on. But for me the greatest part of the trip was the cycling outside the cities, in the rural areas and the small villages. The hearty velcome of the people who lives there, the glimpse into their lives, the amazing activities of all kinds along the road, the changing landscape and different roads  - amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group's slogan: "Rit is our favouRITe" sums it all up.Rit (Saowarit Aphiwatthanakul) is the perfect group leader, well organized, caring and responsible. He called us his "Cycling Family", and that is what he made us feel like - a big happy cycling family. Rit is not a big man, but he has a natural authority paired with the biggest smile ever - great guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it, you will never regret it! Do not be afraid of the cycling! This trip is suitable for all levels as there always is a bus and a truck following  - are you tired one day, you can sit in the bus. The routes are very well planned with little traffic.Remember: - Padded cycling shorts - 2 if you have, because you WILL get sweaty!- Cycling gloves as your hands will get burnt- Sun cream and -BLOCK- Bag to attach to the bike for camera etc - important!- US Dollars in small notes- GPS if you have- You can wash clothes cheap and very good at lokal laundries at least two times along the trip- Small gifts two the numerous children that you will meet along the way. We brought With us a small travelling mascot, the IKEA bear, the kids LOVED him and I would have liked to be able to give away some of those.....