Dirt Biking Off the Beaten Path

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Trip Start Oct 16, 2007 Previous
Entry Trip End May 09, 2008 Next
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  Siem Reap, Cambodia
Friday, November 30, 2007

More pics here.  And a short video here.

Since the early planning stage of this trip I hoped to fit in some motorcycling somewhere.  In South Africa it was a close call.  We stopped at the BMW dealer at the Cape Town waterfront; I drooled over a few brand new R1200GS and asked for rental rates.  Unfortunately we just did not have enough time...

In Siem Reap, Cambodia I got my chance.  After exploring the temples of Angkor Wat for three days we opted for a rest day.  Already a few weeks back I looked for motorcycle rental in Cambodia and found Hidden Cambodia Adventure Tours in Siem Reap.  I called the owner Paul in anticipation and to determine what they can do for me.  Paul grew up in Phnom Penh, loves to ride and founded HCAT in 2000 to cater to the tourists seeking a bit more adventure, get off the beaten path and explore more remote areas on dirt bikes.  That's exactly what I was looking for!  So, I signed my life away and went on a one day dirt bike trip.

Paul picked me up at the Two Dragons Guest House at 7:30am.  He provided me with a pair of boots, helmet, goggles and gloves since I did not bring any gear.  He then introduced me to Lis, my guide for the day.  Besides being a good rider, he is as well very knowledgeable about Cambodia's cultural heritage.  In addition he had some very interesting stories to tell about live during the reign of the Khmer Rouge.  The third rider in our group was Paul's nephew.

Our bikes have been seasoned 230cc/250cc Honda and Yamaha dirt bikes.  No mirrors, turn signals, lights or horn.  On my bike the front break handle was bent and the break overall a bit soft.  However, all the essential parts have been in good working order.

We left Siem Reap around 9:00am.  After just a few minutes on a paved road Lis took us down a nice gravel road with some good sized potholes.  At this time I had a big smile on my face which vanished only when we got back to Siem Reap at around 4:00pm.  Well, here are some highlights for our trip:

- Riding off-road - of course.  What a great way to get out... and a great workout too.  So, after a good day of riding we hit some:
     - Nice paved roads: Boring,
     - Smooth gravel roads: Cruising,
     - Gravel tracks or sandy trails with potholes and mud puddles: Fast & Fun,
     - Single track through bamboo forest, river beds and rocks: Yeah Baby!

- Visiting an uncharted temple.  There was still an uncleared, but marked mine field on one side.   Nuts!
- Drinking palm juice right off the tree.
- Crossing a few wooden bridges clearly build for people only, not bikes.
- Cruising through rural areas with people harvesting rice by hand, fishing, washing clothes and themselves in (dirty) rivers or moving stuff around with ox carts.
- Cows, dogs, chicken and sometimes people:
     - Jumping in panic to get off the road,
     - Jumping in panic on the road right in front of us or
     - Just plain ignoring the three motorcycles flying down the road.
 

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Post your own travel photos for friends and family Pictures

I'm ready!	Taking a Break	Uncleared Mine Field	Some Nice Smooth Gravel
Stopping at a Gas Station	Rock Carvings	Rice Harvest	Another Break
One Palm Juice Please	Drinking Palm Juice	Wooden Bridge	Back at HCAT

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