Cycling 9,000 Km Around SE Asia for the Smile of Children

Society

Cycling 9,000 Km Around SE Asia for the Smile of Children

Tiv Dararith, an adventurous cyclist, and his cycling gears. Photo provided.

By Phat Dane
July 29, 2023 12:30 PM

PHNOM PENH — Pedalling out of Cambodia, Tiv Dararith plans to cover 9,000 kilometers on two wheels across Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

His goal: to obtain donations for the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap province, He has already travelled 5,000 kilometers in Vietnam and Laos and is now on his way to Thailand.

It has been nearly two months since Dararith embarked on June 1 on his fundraising mission. At first, he meant his trip to only be a way promote the natural and cultural importance of the region through the perspective of a young person. However, when he was contacted by the hospital and was asked if he would mind seeking donations for the hospital, Dararith accepted without hesitation.

Dararith loves visiting natural sites on his bicycle and has developed numerous itineraries around them. Over the last five years, he has visited and promoted several locations and communities around Cambodia through YouTube and Facebook. In 2018, he had cycled 1,200 kilometers to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.

Going solo

Social media enthusiasts in Cambodia come across his content posted on a regular basis. Although he journeys alone without friends or a support team, he stays in touch with them.

“Of course, I travel alone: I have got skills and experience,” said Dararith. “I learn a lot from my travels and producing content is also my skill. So, I travel and make content at the same time.”

Five compartments for 9,000 kilometers

For such a trip, maintenance tools are the most important things to bring along followed by camping equipment, cameras, computers, clothes and food, Dararith said.

“I arrange my gears into five bags, two at the front and back and one in the middle,” he said.

Generally, these are bicycle kits, spare tubes for the tires, tents, hammocks, clothes, towels, drones, computers, legal documents, medicine, and some food.

Body and Mind

Dararith faces a multitude of difficulties during a journey. Whether ascending mountain ranges or rushing through forests, avoiding collisions on highways or fixing his bicycle in remote areas, Dararith said his cross-country travel demands strong mental and physical resolve.

Despite the hurdles, he is determined to cross the 9,000-kilometer mark for the smile of the Cambodian children.

“It is fortunate that I am a sporty person,” he said. “I used to trek alone in the mountain range and it helps me adapt to the challenges.”

Having gone through the elements, such as rain and heat, Dararith is rarely ill. However, he is not immune. The man is very careful as to what he eats and the nutritious value that goes with it.

Local People Welcoming Him

It is not just Cambodians who welcome Dararith when he cycles into their town or village. People in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, also greet him warmly when he pedals into their hometowns, he said. These are the moments that make such a trip a special moment in life and an unforgettable memory.