Adam Fitzgerald shares his experience of the recent 2008 Cambodia Cyclo Rally. A cyclo being a traditional form of transport in Cambodia comprising of three wheels with a passenger seat out front and the cyclo driver sitting behind pedalling away. Cyclo drivers are amongst the poorest of Phnom Penh’s urban poor.

The ‘semi’ annual Cyclo Rally was held over the past weekend from the 2nd-4th May. 10 foreigners and 20 cyclo drivers, who took one hour shifts on 10 cyclos, cycled the 320km round trip from Phnom Penh through Prey Veng and Kampong Cham to raise awareness for the Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh and to support ‘World No Tobacco Day’ on 31st May.

With sponsorship from such organisations as Population Services International, the Taiwan International Medical Alliance, the World Health Organisation, NHCP, Handicap International Belgium and Intrepid we set out from the cyclo centre at 6.30 am.

The heat did not stop us as we headed the 90km south east to Prey Veng Town, though, thankfully, lunch did. Refuelled, we continued to our destination crossing the Mekong at Neak Loug by ferry, and to the delight of our legs and stomachs we arrived in Prey Veng in the late afternoon. After eating, we were tucked into bed by a very late 8 o’clock.

Day two started with a quick trip to the local market for some fruit and a bag of coffee before heading off at 7am with the goal of reaching Kampong Cham, a further 80km north. After stopping for lunch, we headed up to a local school to give our bodies and bottoms a break from the road by playing a game of volleyball, in the sweltering heat. After replenishing our fluids we were off once again. Waving to families who had come to cheer us on, we passed through rubber plantations before joining National Route 7. The views coming into Kampong Cham were worth the physical exertion required to climb the Kizuna Bridge into town. Once again, for our road worn bodies it was an early night as we prepared for the final day, which was to be the longest distance yet.

At the ungodly hour of 5.30am we headed off for our final day to cycle 120km back into Phnom Penh. We stopped for lunch at the rather unorthodox hour of 10am just outside Skuon as there would be no opportunity to stop for food after this. So, after more rice and more fruit and more water, we were on the long, straight, flat, unshaded stretch back to Phnom Penh.
And it just kept on going. My aching behind ensured the final 30kms into Phnom Penh were the longest, and climbing the Japanese Friendship Bridge made sure the last leg to be the most ‘rewarding’. We arrived at Wat Phnom 17.20, safe and sound, if not a little sore!

A great weekend for a great cause.

Most cyclo drivers come from the provinces to Phnom Penh to find work. The Cyclo Centre helps drivers find regular work, educates them about STDs and the dangers of smoking, and provides facilities such as showers for the drivers to use.

To support the great work the Cyclo Centre is doing why not enjoy a relaxing cyclo city tour of Phnom Penh. For more information email: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from Expat Advisory (7-5-08)