The Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride is a challenge for those who love the tropical vibes of South East Asia, the open road, and exploring ancient history. Discover the beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia by bike, cycling from Saigon to the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat.
Keep reading this essential guide for top cycling tips and insights to help you on the road to a successful ride!
What is the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride?
The Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride is an unforgettable cycling adventure through the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia, covering 450km across seven days. From the waterways of the Mekong Delta to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, this challenge combines tropical landscapes, rich culture and rewarding endurance cycling.
Highlights include:
- Marvel at the Royal Temples of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Cycle 450kms through the lush Mekong Delta to Cambodia.
- Follow endless miles of beautiful backwater roads.
- Pass ancient temples, pagodas, and vibrant villages.
- Embrace the freedom of life on a bike!
What will I achieve?
This 11-day challenge involves 7 days of cycling, covering 450km in total. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll accomplish (and can proudly share with your sponsors):
- Cycling for around 6-8 hours per day, covering approximately 450kms over 7 days.
- Battling the heat and humidity of a tropical rainforest climate, with temperatures reaching 30s to low 40s.
- Cycling through some exposed areas of the route, adding to the challenging climate.
- Challenging your cycling skills against waterway crossings, plantations and on unpaved and dusty roads.
I’m thinking of booking, what do I need to know?
For a quick overview of what to consider, we’ve pulled together some advice below – including top tips from our past challengers. For full details, please visit our Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride webpage.
1. Be Ready for Different Cycling Conditions
The Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride offers an incredible opportunity to experience Vietnam and Cambodia from the saddle, but the cycling conditions can be very different from those in the UK. From busy local traffic and narrow roads to steep bridges, tropical heat and lively village routes. Understanding what to expect will help you prepare and feel more confident once your challenge commences!
Top Tips:
- “The terrain along the route is mostly flat, although there are quite a few bridges over canals and waterways, particularly in the Mekong Delta, which often involve steep gradients and sharp changes in direction. It’s a good idea to shift into your lowest or second-lowest gear as you approach the bridge, and increase the gap between yourself and the rider in front.” – Danny Barden, Challenge Leader
- “Avoid using cleats unless you’re very experienced with them, as the route involves frequent stops and starts and less experienced riders can struggle to unclip quickly enough.” – James Marriott, Challenge Leader
- “If you’re used to cycling two abreast on UK roads, be prepared for busier traffic conditions where it’s generally safer to ride in single file, as mopeds, trucks and cars will overtake whenever possible. Avoid the temptation to take photos whilst riding.” – Danny Barden, Challenge Leader
- “Remember to go at your own pace. There’s no need to rush, especially on your first day cycling. Focus on enjoying the experience and building your stamina gradually”. – Yan Tin Si, Challenge Participant
2. Training For Your Cycle Challenge
Training for the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride should focus on building endurance and preparing your body for long consecutive days in the saddle. While the terrain is mostly flat, the combination of heat, humidity, exposed roads and daily distances of up to 90km can make the challenge more demanding than many expect!
Your training should focus on:
- Building cycling stamina for 6–8 hour riding days.
- Getting comfortable cycling on consecutive days – a weekend of training is a good idea!
- Improving leg strength, joint strength and balance.
- Riding in warm weather where possible to prepare for the heat and humidity.
- Practising gear changes and control on steeper and narrower terrain.
Top Tips:
- “Despite the relative flatness of the whole route do still make sure to prepare yourself as much as you can for daily distances of up to 90km and in temperatures ranging between the high 30’s – low 40 degrees centigrade coupled with high humidity.” – Danny Barden, Challenge Leader
- “Train on busy roads so you aren’t overwhelmed by the bigger towns, and train on hot days in the UK.” – Rachel Walker, Challenge Participant
- “My biggest pre-challenge tip is to ensure you spend plenty of time riding a bicycle and ensure you have covered a distance in a training ride that will be equal to or greater than the distance you will be cycling during one day on the challenge (so roughly 80km). You’d be amazed how many people don’t train for this!” – James Marriott, Challenge Leader
3. Prioritise Comfort, Sun Protection and Hydration
The heat and humidity on the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride can be just as challenging as the distance itself, so the right kit can make a huge difference to your experience. Padded cycling shorts and gloves are highly recommended for long days in the saddle, while lightweight layers and respectful cover-ups are useful when riding through local villages. (Our Charity Challenge neck buffs are also super handy for dusty roads or used as a sweatband!).
Staying hydrated is essential in the tropical climate, so many riders choose to use water bladders or easily accessible bottles alongside rehydration tablets to help replace lost electrolytes. Strong sun protection is equally important – including high SPF sun cream, lip balm and a cap to wear under your cycle helmet. You can read the full recommended Kit List here.
Top Tips:
- “My biggest tip during the challenge is to drink more water than you think you need. Before, during and after the ride; it’s not just re-hydration we’re training for, but pre-hydration to ensure our success!” – James Marriott, Challenge Leader
- “Take a small portable battery powered fan for those moments when you aren’t creating your own breeze and wear lightweight, breathable clothing – cycling shorts are recommended as are short-finger padded mitts. Full sun protection (glasses, sun-cream and ice-cooling neck scarfs/bandanas) will reduce the severity and post-cycle impact of the sun’s rays.” – Danny Barden, Challenge Leader
Why should I book the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride with Charity Challenge?
Over the years Charity Challenge has built up a wealth of experience that has enabled us to create a safe yet fun itinerary that respects the wonderful surroundings you’ll pass through:
- Expert leadership – There will be an English-speaking challenge leader who will be responsible for the logistics and coordination of your challenge. There will also be numerous local support guides and staff to assist them.
- Quality Bikes – The bikes used on the challenge are high-quality, lightweight Trek mountain bikes with front suspension, multiple gears and water bottle holders, designed to provide comfort and reliability across the terrain.
- Immersive Itinerary – “The most beautiful way to see a country is on a bike. I’ve seen parts of Vietnam and Cambodia not many will have had the opportunity to experience.” – Lucy Anderson, Challenge Participant
- An Endurance Test with Cultural Highlights – “An incredible way of seeing two beautiful countries in one trip. Cycling through rice paddy fields and villages was just amazing. Taking your bike on ferry crossing the Mekong River was also an awesome experience. I would highly recommend this challenge to confident bike riders with a passion for travel.” – Rachel Walker, Challenge Participant
Fundraising – Since 1999, we have specialised in operating challenges for charity fundraisers. We partner with 1000’s of UK and Irish charities already – and our team is happy to reach out to a charity of your choice to make your dream fundraising challenge happen. (Or, if you don’t fancy fundraising, the good news is you can simply self-fund and join us anyway!).
To conclude… start prepping!
If you are now seriously considering taking on the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride, we recommend heading over to our website to read through our full Itinerary, Costs, Kit List and extensive Essential Information tabs. You’ll find everything you need to know here in detail, from timings, locations, accommodation, difficulty level breakdowns, training advice, group safety and much, much more (including answers to those all-important ‘what if?’ questions).
Our blog also hosts a wealth of resources to help prepare you for your fundraising challenge.
Remember, the Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride is graded as ‘challenging’. With long days in the saddle, tropical heat and consecutive cycling days, this adventure will test your endurance while rewarding you with unforgettable scenery, rich culture and the incredible achievement of reaching the iconic temples of Angkor Wat. A memorable choice for an Overseas Charity Challenge!
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