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01/23/2007: "Riding into home"

The PEPY Ride II has ended. Besides some stomach issues, the only bumps on the journey were part of the road. What started out as a group of 16 individuals ended as a solid team of tanned legged, strong hearted, mind expanded cyclists. We covered 800km from Siem Reap, over the top of the Tonle Sap, down through Phnom Penh to the coast at Kep and all the way to the shores of Sihanoukville.

This year, with more experience and kilometers under our belt, the PEPY team was able to make unplanned visits to schools, stopping in at schools on the road and asking for permission to teach an environmental lesson. At first we were greeted by skeptical principals, but always at the end, we were given smiles and welcomed back to visit on future tours. We even had one principal tell us "We will practice. When you come on the ride next year, you will see.... our school will be very very clean."

The message: Protect the Earth. Protect Yourself. If we keep the environment of Cambodia clean, the people will be healthier.

We learned a lot as well.... especially when trying to live what we were teaching. One rider who had joined PEPY's volunteer trip last year said she now makes sure to throw everything in the garbage, watches how much disposable cutlery and unnecessary plastic bags she uses, and thinks of the children and lessons she learned in Cambodia every time she does.

These trips are just as much of a learning and growing experience for the riders as for those we meet. And lucky for us, this year's group of riders could not be beat.

Many thanks to Judy, Greg, Audrey, Laurie, Anna, Dave R, Dave S, Tom, Erica, Steph, Simon, Maryann, Daniela K, Christina, and Lucky for making the 2007 PEPY Ride three weeks of laughter, learning, and phosphorescent glows.

Come back soon. Cambodia misses you. (and maybe I do too....)