Just over a week back from Cambodia and my epic journey, time to pause and reflect as I head down to London to speak to The Information Lab team about Reach Siem Reap, the ride and Cambodia, and my objectives and whether they've been met.

Context

For context I was selected to represent The Information Lab in the annual "Ride to Reach" in Cambodia. A 650km ride from the Coast to Siem Reap. I'd never been to Cambodia, in fact I've never been outside Europe / US, so this was a big trip for me.

The Information Lab have supported Reach annually in this ride, and I'm the third colleague to undertake the challenge.

Objective 1: Complete the Ride

I'm very happy to say this part of the mission wasn't too hard given my early choice to take an e-bike. Half the riders had an e-bike and, given the knee problems I had in November, it simply took the stress away from worrying about things. 

I kept the bike in eco and pushed myself hard at times, it certainly wasn't a gentle ride. However the security of knowing you have a few extra modes to dive into when you're going up a hill certainly helped, even if I didn't use them. 

I was able to get my head up, join people at the front or back, chat and enjoy the ride. Chatting to the Reach staff and learning more about their roles and background for example. 

650km in 8 days in 30 degrees Celsius isn't a trifling feat, e-bike or not, despite the team telling me how cool it was. So I'm incredibly proud to have managed the ride in its entirety without too many issues. 

Objective 2: Experience the "real" Cambodia

I think before I left I expected this to mean getting away from the tourist trails and seeing the more isolated, rural areas; and there were moments of this. From seeing kids pulling tin cans on strings for entertainment, seeing paddy fields and farmers. markets and weddings taking over the whole street. However the real Cambodia was more complex. 

It certainly wasn't defined by genocide either, despite that weighing heavily over the country. Yes, there are deep problems caused by the events of less than 50 years ago, alcoholism and PTSD has blighted large parts of a generation. Education is still recovering, and clearly that's why organisations like Reach are needed so badly. 

However the real Cambodia is a country of growth and development, and a young generation hungry for learning and opportunity. We rode along new roads, with street lights, in places where dust tracks were last year. Mobile Internet rivals my home towns internet even in the most rural places. 

Moreso, it's the people that made the most impact. Young people keen to study. Living away from home and studying full time 6 days a week then doing vocational work on the 7th day. Only retuning home once a year. And there's a pride too in their achievements, in bringing money home for struggling parents who've given so much to help them.  A stark contrast to my experiences at home with a daughter who's quit A-Levels and opted to stay home on the X-Box and won't leave the house.

Objective 3: Learn more about Reach 

At The Information Lab we've supported Reach Siem Reap for over three years. So I've been aware of what they do, in the sense that they run a school, but I'll be honest, the detail, while exposed to me, had been lost on the way. 

Meeting the Reach team and riding with them, made a big difference. We weren't a bunch of Westerners riding to help those less fortunate than us. Instead we became a team, riding together, struggling together and bonding. I dare say we became friends. I spent time doing swimming lessons in the hotel pool with them, we were fined by the ride fine masters for our misdemeanors (with the money going to Reach), we woke up while it was dark together and we struggled up hills and we cycled in at sunset. We were a team. 

That made it more impactful when you learn about their background, their families, their struggles and their roles at Reach. 

We had staff from the Outreach team at Reach with us who work every day in the slums, meeting families and talking to them. They help them realise the importance of education for their children (something it's easy for us to take for granted but many underprivileged people, due to the genocide, simply haven't been taught about these things). The outreach team work with other NGOs and government organisations to help families who need further help. Visiting homes on the ride in the slums and hearing from families being helped by the team really helped understand just how the team works and the conditions families face. Their homes are on government land designated for road building, and could be bulldozed any day. They flood in monsoon season. They collect rubbish to make a living. Reach provides the opportunity for their children to break out this cycle, by not only providing education but also providing rice rewards (food for families whose children attend school that helps them break out of the need for kids to work at night collecting rubbish so they can feed themselves, which means they miss school because they're too tired). 

Spending time at the Reach school was an absolute pleasure too. 7 or 8 classrooms of kids all beaming with energy and singing songs, and with incredible English skills already. We participated in lessons, played volleyball in a Reach vs Riders match, and sang songs and danced.

We also saw the behind the scenes efforts of the riders club, and bike mechanics at the school fixing bikes and helping kids get to school. 

Finally we saw the incredible support and fundraising efforts it takes to build and manage such an endeavour, through rotary club visits happening during our time there and the sponsorship of classrooms etc. 

I'm extremely proud, and aware of my privilege in The Information Lab sending me over as an ambassador for the company, and super keen that we redouble our efforts to continue to fundraise and advocate on behalf of Reach.

Objective 4: Raise a shedload of money

One of my missions when I asked the team to vote for me to take this journey was literally to "raise a sh*tload of money". And I think we achieved that. 

I was supported by generous donors, Christmas events, padel matches and many other initiatives that made fundraising a pleasure as opposed to a chore. Together the team and I raised over £7000 just £400 short of my revised £7500 target. (If you intended to donate there's still time: til.bi/ChrisRidesCambodia)

Objective 5: Have Fun

I certainly achieved this objective. A small group of 13 riders and 5 or 6 support staff made it incredibly easy to get to know everyone. We had an incredible time, often fuelled by a few cans of Cambodian lager post ride. I don't think the smile left my face for the two weeks so was in Cambodia (bar a few hills)

What's next?

If you've got this far, then thank you. This has been a long post. 

I'm keen to keep supporting Reach, so watch this space as I take on my next challenge. I'm keen to run the 650km over the coming months at home as well as keeping up swimming and cycling! Chris Tri's Cambodia? Who knows?!

I'm also keen to return to Cambodia and Reach soon. Perhaps with wife (or maybe family) in tow. Visiting can't help but leave a permanent mark. 

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Are you keen to do the ride next year, or support Reach as an individual or company. Let us know. We'll happily put you in touch with the right people to learn more.