Cycling in Cambodia, any thoughts?

[carolonabike]

Mr Carolonabike (aka Arsen Gere of this parish) and I alternate in chosing our holiday destinations. Last year I chose Austria, this year he fancies Cambodia. He's been looking at saddle skeddle.

It looks great but I'm worried about the weather. We'd be going in November or December which looks like the best time to go but I'm not a massive fan of the heat (although in Austria last year it was 30+ every day which I coped with).

I've done a search and found a few threads, Mr Pumpy mentions dust and says it's quite rough but I was wondering if anyone have any experience of skedaddle holidays or cycling in Cambodia recently? I assume if its an organised trip the rough edges will be smoothed out to an extent (I'm a bit of a wimp really) .

Will it be really, really hot? or just a bit hot?

 

[bedrock]

November and December will be cooler than some months but it will still be quite hot. I lived in Thailand for several years and enjoyed cycling in the countryside but always covered up. The breeze (and copious sweat) keeps your temperature down but you can get burnt really quickly. I haven't travelled much in Cambodia but the roads there were much better than I had been lead to believe -- but then again I was on the main routes and NOT cycling. I do recall a couple of back roads in Phnom Phen looked like they had been bombed.

You should bear in mind that health care in Cambodia is not so good.

As an aside, avoid Sihanoukville. It's a dump.

 

[Dave Davenport]

this might be usefull.

http://travellingtwo.com/9473

 

[hubbike]

enjoyed the Mr Pumpy site!!!

not been to cambodia but had my fair share of hot and sweaty in Colombia and Venezuela...

IMO what you might need for heat is:

1. Wide brimed hat. (your helmet might act a bit like a hot box oven)
2. Loose, long-sleeved/legged clothing.
3. Water.

 

[carolonabike]

(your helmet might act a bit like a hot box oven)

Thanks guys, that's useful info.

I'm thinking it may be just too hot and sweaty for me. It does look fab though. I'll have to give it some serious thought.

 

[Dayvo]

I've spent several months in Cambodia on 3-4 occasions and can say that it is cooler (30s) in November than it is in February (40s).

I've taken the bus to Sihanoukville many times and am amazed at the lack of road etiquette between drivers. On various stops I've spoken to a few European cyclists on tour (self-sufficient and organised) and they also were extremely surprised that they had NOT had any accidents due to the insane overtaking.

Don't let this put you off: Cambodia is a great country to visit. Just make sure you have plenty of CLEAN (bottled) water, as the heat means you will need 5-6 litres a day, and it has to be CLEAN!

Enjoy yourselves!

 

[andym]

As far as Skedaddle are concerned I'm a fan, (although I haven't been anywhere exotic with them). IME they are very professional and wouldn't be offering the tour if it was a completely insane place to go. I'm betting it's not cheap, but I'm sure you'll get good value for money and it will be well-organised (two guides plus a support driver/mechanic). I'm sure for example that they will make sure that the vehicle is carrying lots of water. Download the trip dossier if you haven't already. Ask them questions - they are very helpful and if the staff in the office don't know themselves I'm sure they will put you in touch with the local staff.

EDIT check out the difficulty rating for the tour this goes from 2-5 (yes I know, but SFAIK they don't offer level one tours). 3 is moderate/average; 4 is for regular fittish bikers and 5 is pretty tough.

 

[Durian]

If you're going as part of an organised tour I don't see too many problems. It will be hot but you will only notice the heat when you stop, you will get a lovely breeze to cool things down when you're riding along. I definitely agree a wide brimmed hat is a good idea as is plenty of sunscreen, the highest factor you can get.

Phnom Penh is a great place to visit, have a sundowner at the Foreign Correspondents Club if you have time. Places of interest to visit are the Killing Fields, just outside Phnom Penh and Tuol Sleng, otherwise known as S-21. These two places are linked to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge and although they do make fairly grim places to visit it is all part of the history of Cambodia. On a lighter note I hope your trip takes you up to Siem Reap from where you can visit the wonderful temples of Angkor Wat.

Have a great trip wherever you may end up.

 

[Holy Warrior]

The only realy thing that I can add to this is to get your bike now and get riding, but ofc supplement your riding with the cardio stuff you suggest such as football and a bit of leg work, them 16 flights.



The reason for me saying this is that I have recently got back on my bike. I have quite an active lifestyle with football and plenty of walking, i'm not overweight or anything like that. I have found that it's not really my cardio that's the problem, it's my leg muscles not being up to standard. The main reason for me slowing down on a ride is my legs aching not me being out of puff.



Sounds like a great ride though

 

[carolonabike]

After the first couple of posts I was thinking perhaps it's not for me but the next few posts have me changing my mind. I would love to see the temples at Angkor.

Thanks for the advice re cardio HW but I'm not sure about football. Not really my game. Back in the day, we weren't allowed to play football. Just netball which I was hopeless at because of my lack of height or hockey which I was also useless at because I was too much of a wimp.

 

[Holy Warrior]

Sorry wrong thread! Lol. The only part that us relevant is: Sounds like a great ride though . Sorry and Good luck!

 

[carolonabike]

I did wonder