Thursday Feb 2nd - Sunday Feb 12th 2006

We have decided to begin the tour at Siem Reap (not Pnom Penh as original discussed) for several reasons:

• the beauty of the area
• the awesome ruins of the great Angkor Civilization
• it is a good area for a warm up ride and to acclimatise

Thursday Feb 2nd - Arrival and Orientation in Siem Reap

All participants to have arrived at the Hotel  in Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) by 6 pm for the welcome meal and orientation.

Friday Feb 3rd - Sunrise ride through Angkor Wat National Park

A warm-up ride, starting at 4am and returning at noon. The afternoon is free to ride more, rest, and/or work on your bike. This will be a 40-50 kilometer warm up ride, mostly on tarmac, but will/can include double and single track. The ride will take us around the outskirts of the World Heritage Site.

Afternoon will be free time and free riding for those wanting to go back and explore the cultural wonder of Ankgor Wat.  It is a fitting start to our journey through modern Cambodia as this expansive ancient city, (most of which is still hidden by jungle) is a testimony to the sophistication of Khmer Society over 1000 years ago. Unlike other ancient ruins, Angkor is still accessible to people and you can climb up and over, visit sites where great movies have been shot including Tomb Raider.

Saturday Feb 4th - Tonle Sap to Battambang

From Siem Reap we will ride to the Tonle Sap (about 20 kms) and take an 8-hour boat journey to Battambang. This is reported to be one of the best boat trips in South East Asia. The boat trip can take anywhere from 3 - 8 hours.

We hope to get off the boat early once the river connects with the road so that we can ride the last 10-20 k into Battambang, thereby cutting short our time on the boat by an hour or so.  You will be ready for the saddle by then.

Sunday Feb 5th ~ Friday Feb 10th - Tour de Pursat

Meeting families who'll be receiving clean water as a result of the money you raise.  Most days we will begin cycling around 6 am and cycling to late morning.  We may cycle a further hour or so late afternoon.  This is to avoid the heat of the day when the Sun is at its highest.

Feb 5th: This will be one of our longest rides about 100 km. We have to complete the distance in order to get into Pursat Province. First of 3 nights camping. Bathing will be in the river, which because we are close to the hills is clean enough for washing up in.  Although the area is safe, we have hired policemen to be with us at each of our campsites along with cooks, guides, support vehicles and HOPE staff who are all well known in the areas we are visiting.

Feb 6th: 50-70 K into the hills in Toul Kros district. We are skirting the famous Cardomom Mountains, which until about 5 years ago was still a stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. It is safe now. Second Nite camping.

Feb 7th: 50-80 K Destination is a school HOPE built in the hills of Bor Vong Area. The school teacher has asked if we can help him build a fence around the area the school to protect the small children. We may spend a couple of hours helping him.

Feb 8th: 30-50 K into Pursat town via Othkov village.
Lunch in Pursat town at Hotel.
Afternoon: free time with optional ride around Pursat town.

Feb 9th: 50-60 K Visit Needy families and well sites in Prey Omal and Toul Makas.
We have also been asked by one family and the local HOPE worker to spend an hour or so helping a needy family pour concrete for the apron that surrounds their new well.
Evening in Guest House in Krakor.

Friday Feb 10th - Krakor to Kompang Chnang

We will exit Pursat province and cycle about 65 Kilometers on tarmac, but may find some double and single track along the way.  We will be staying in a guest house.

Saturday Feb 11th ~ Sunday Feb 12th

Kompang Chnang to Pnom Penh 100 kilometers and Sunrise tour on Sunday AM ( about 15 kilometers)Our tour conclude the morning of the 12th with a sunrise tour along the river, a visit to the famous Prison 21, and a visit to the Russian Market ( bargain hunters paradise).  The tour will conclude with lunch at the hotel at noon.