A VISIT to the pristine beaches, crystal seas and lush forests of Vietnam and Cambodia sounds like the perfect holiday adventure…unless you’re doing it all by bicycle!
Chapeltown couple Mark and Jo Holden might be able to enjoy the views but they won’t be taking it easy as they cycle their way from Ho-Chi-Minh City in Vietnam to the world famous temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia this November.
But as they brave the extreme heat and humidity they know they’ll be raising money for St Luke’s, where Mark’s mum Pauline and Jo’s mum Gwen were both patients.
It’s not the first time the couple have taken on a challenge for charity - they’ve already completed a trek to the Inca city of Machu Pichu high in the Andes mountains of Peru.
But they anticipate that their cycle ride, taking in the the Mekong Delta before reaching the spectacular final destination, will be even tougher that their high altitude walk.
“The ride starts in Ho Chi Minh City and takes us on some very dusty tracks through the Mekong Delta to Angkor Wat,” Mark explained.
“We'll be cycling around eight hours hours per day, over seven hot and humid days.
“I’ve done it before but Jo has had to train particularly hard because she was a complete novice only a few months ago!
“it’s not just going to be the length of the journey but also the humidity that will be the problem but it’s going to be worth the effort.”
Mark and Jo have already raised £780 before they set on on their adventure and donations can be made by visiting Mark & Jo