In brief: On the 28th Jan I'm setting off on the longest bike ride I've ever done, in heat/humidity somewhat greater than my british training rides have offered. It's for the charity MAG (Mines Advisory Group) on a 415km, 5 day cycle ride from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Angkor Wat (Cambodia).

The original route was 470km by the way but the route has since changed. I'll be making up the difference when I'm back in the UK.

Read on for more...

In depth: So, one morning, whilst feeling particularly reluctant to be awake and about to head in for what would undoubtedly be another hectic day at work, sat for many hours relatively motionless in front of a screen and keyboard, I discovered an e-mail in my alternate inbox advertising a bike ride from Vietnam to Cambodia. Immediately the reward centres in my brain lit up:
 - Exercise, check. 
 - Outdoors, check.
 - Overseas adventure, check.
With only a cursory thought (and some encouragement from the girlfriend) I went about signing up to the task lest it be too late to enter.

The e-mail had arrived in my inbox because I had donated some money to MAG around Christmas time. Having spent a number of months in the SE Asia region, free from any real worries and enjoying the hospitality of the incredibly friendly locals there, I decided that I should do something to contribute back to the society they live in when I was in a position to do so.

I chose MAG because whilst around Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia it was difficult not to be aware of at least some of the work they have done there, with prominent signs warning of unseen dangers and where it was safe to go. Unexploded ordnance litters the countries, left overs from days gone by, but a persistent and lethal threat in the day to day lives of the people who live there.

Enough said, they can put it more eloquently than I, but I appreciate the work they did and do... so I want to raise them some money.

Training is now complete and has been fairly mixed. I think the highlight was the 140miles worth of Coast To Coast, joining in a ride with my dad and his colleagues. Then the weather was great as was the scenery and company.
Since then it's been increasingly bleak as the winter arrived. Ice, snow, rain, fog... a mile or two into a 70 mile ride makes you wonder what you are doing it for sometimes! 
Not only did the weather deteriorate but so did my bike. Punctures, exploding inner tubes, gears that don't change and fall apart when fixing punctures, breaks that fail to stop you, GPSs forgetting the route... I digress, totally worthy cause and I can't complain I believe the charity ride will be awesome.

In too deep?: I have cycled in Cambodia before, hiring a bike one morning and setting off on my own with some water and food. The memory of why I cycled where I cycled has now entirely faded, but what remains is the thought of the thirst that grew when my water ran out rapidly in the heat and humidity.

The route was deserted and dusty for mile upon mile through farmers fields (see pic). Every so often there were vaguely shop-like little shacks by the side of the road that containing nothing but empty cool boxes. Eventually I came upon a shack nestled under large tree with a family there. Again there was an empty cool box.

Using my very best Cambodian (in which I could almost say hello), I attempted to gesture that I would like a drink and was very thirsty. When it seemed that they had understood my insane rambling and gesticulations (much to their amusement), a machete was suddenly produced. The fear lasted only an instant before they pointed to the top of the coconut tree. Thankfully they soon realised I didn't have the necessary skills and the mother of the family sent one of her younger sons, machete tucked into his pants, up to the top of the tree. A large coconut was thrown down for me, subsequently opened and gratefully drank.

I point this out to emphasise that I think it's going to be a challenge, but if they're willing to go climbing trees to make sure I'm ok then it only seems fair for me to do something in return. I thoroughly plan on earning everything you donate.

I'm just hoping, that before the 5 days of cycling I get some tree climbing and machete lessons.

Some blurb for why it's good to donate via this site: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.