Train Smart, Ride Strong: Preparing for the Ride to REACH Charity Cycling Event

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Cambodia while making a positive impact!

Introducing Ride to REACH, a charity cycling event in January 2025, designed for cyclists of all abilities. This incredible 650km journey will not only challenge you physically but also connect you with the heart of Cambodia. Our team will take you off the beaten path, you will connect with like-minded humanitaries and together, we will support the vital work of REACH Siem Reap.

Are you new to cycling or considering your first charity cycling event?

Worry not! This introductory blog will equip you with the top tips and tricks to ensure a successful and fulfilling long-distance cycling experience with us.

If you sign up, our team will also provide you with a comprehensive 6-month training guide, and will be there by your side, to support you and answer any questions you might have in the lead up to the event.

Training for Success:

Building a solid training plan is key to conquering your first long-distance cycling event.

Here’s how to get started:

• Get kitted out! Don’t fight wearing lycra, or padded bum shorts. The longer you put it off, the longer you prolongue unneccessary discomfort. “I’ll never wear those shorts” is a sentence we hear often. But trust us, padded shorts are inevitable, come January, you’ll be wearing them, and after a long day on the saddle, you’ll understand why!
• Get a Bike: If you don’t already have one, get a bike to start training on. In preparation for Cambodia’s roads, we recommend a mountainbike, or hybrid/trail bike, so that you can practice off roads. Cambodia is notoriously flat, but smooth roads are rare, so we recommend you seek off-road trails where possible – the bumpier the training, the better prepared you’ll be.
• Start Early: Ideally, begin training 6 months prior to the start of the event. A good rule of thumb is to gradually increase the duration and frequency of your rides leading up to January.
• Embrace the Journey: Enjoy the training! Start with shorter rides and gradually increase the distance, follow the comprehensive training guide provided and eventually, you’ll be mimicking or slightly exceeding the planned Ride to REACH distances (55km, 78km, 101km etc).
• Fuel Your Body: Experiment with different foods and drinks during training rides. Aim for small amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates every hour to keep your energy levels high. During our adventure, we’ll be stopping for fruit and refreshments at minimum, every 25km!
• Group Power: Consider participating in group rides before the event. These rides offer valuable practice riding in a pack, learning proper cycling etiquette, and building camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts.

Ride to REACH Specifics:

The Ride to REACH adventure will offer diverse Cambodian scenery, well-stocked rest stops, and dedicated support from our experienced English speaking guides. The 10 night, 11 day journey, will involve 8 intensive days of cycling.

Our first day will be dedicated to checking-in and enjoying welcome drinks in Kampot, we will then set off on long-distance rides, for 4 consecutive days, until we reach the capital city of Phnom Penh, where we will enjoy a well deserved party night, followed by a much needed day of rest.

Following this, we will make our way north to Siem Reap, cycling another 4 full days, before we make it to the Angkor Wat Archealogical Park, and through the finish line gates at REACH Siem Reap, where their community will be eagerly awating our arrival, to cheer us throuhg and celebrate our achievement.

Our Charity Ride Culture:

Our Ride to REACH isn’t about who crosses the finish line first; it’s about the journey we take together as a team. Everyone participating will have already accomplished something incredible by raising substantial funds to fight poverty. Here, there’s no competition, only encouragement and support. If you need a moment to rest, a comfortable air-conditioned bus follows the ride.  This is more than just a bike ride; it’s a cross-cultural immersion experience. Customers will be riding alongside our down-to-earth local Ripple Effect Rides team, the dedicated REACH Siem Reap team, and will be cheered on by the friendly villagers we meet along the way.  At the heart of it all, it’s about the people we meet, the connections we forge, and the positive impact we make together.