Off-road cycling and road conditions
To cycle around Cambodia, you should enjoy off-road riding, mountain biking or gravel riding, as many roads are in poor condition or are more like tracks.
LA VUELTA DEL MUNDO · TRAVEL & KNOWLEDGE
Unlike Thailand, Cambodia is still a developing-world country.
Cambodia is a very good choice for people seeking somewhere different: not everything is as clean, safe, reliable or expensive, and people live without stress, with just the essentials. The country is admittedly rather chaotic, often dirty — apart from most hotels — and a little crazy, or better described as amusing. Instead of high standards, there are many smiling faces enjoying life despite a simple existence.
To cycle around Cambodia, you should enjoy off-road riding, mountain biking or gravel riding, as many roads are in poor condition or are more like tracks.
Cambodia is not easy to put into words. Its recent history helps explain why…
From 1975 to 1978, the communist Khmer Rouge regime murdered two million innocent people, a quarter of Cambodia’s population. Even after Vietnamese military intervention and the end of the genocide, the country did not find peace. Supported by many other countries, the Khmer Rouge waged a guerrilla war against the new government for two decades.
Although the end of the civil war has allowed the population to rebuild the country for almost twenty years, this unfortunate past continues to affect it today. Some visitors may find this unsettling. For others, it is an experience to witness how this young population, with an average age below thirty, is trying to rebuild the country and its culture.
There are a few things that travellers and cycle tourists should know before starting a tour in a place like this: medical and hygiene standards are rudimentary, and roads are usually dusty and often in very poor condition. On country roads and in large cities, reckless motorists and chaotic traffic conditions should be expected. These can largely, but not completely, be avoided.
A two-day La Vuelta del Mundo workshop can be very helpful in preventing problems and risks. Those who do not want to or cannot afford such a course should at least find out about emergency medical facilities.
Accommodation is often unavailable over long distances, so a good level of fitness is recommended. In the mountainous southwest, good physical fitness is essential because of the intense heat and long distances.
On the positive side, there are generally clean hotels throughout the country, exceptional beaches, generally very low prices, little crime and a cheerful, friendly population.
If you are looking for real adventure, strong impressions and experiences, Cambodia might be the place to cycle tour. For sure it’s nothing for the faint hearted, but maybe that’s just what you are all about.
The opposite of western society; poor, dirty, run down, still amazing
A very young population: average age 27!
A nation which has a recent history of much turmoil
The clean, cheap and good hotels available in most parts of the country
Prices are cheap in general
Some Cambodians are Muslim — 6% of the population — with a colourful culture.
The climate and heat
Bad, sometime very bad roads
Low hygiene and medical standards
In some parts inconsiderate motorists (can mostly be avoided)
Those who look for real adventure & authenticity
People who like challenges
Those who want first-hand experience of a developing country.
The large slideshow shows suitable photographs from our Cambodia collection. Use the arrows to browse them yourself.
Discuss your route, bicycle, equipment and practical preparation with La Vuelta del Mundo.
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