A true ‘human upgrade’, the Digital Live Ride takes professionals from all walks of life on the experience of a lifetime – riding 500km across Thailand on pushbikes in the name of charity and personal development.

Since 2018 – across three charity bike rides that included over 100 riders in total – Digital Live has raised $750,000 for Hands Across the Water and changed countless lives of riders and children alike.

And now it’s your chance to take part. Your chance to say yes to an adventure that will change your life both personally and professionally, but one that will provide children in need with an opportunity of choice.

You're Invited

You’re invited to join what is fast becoming the Australian real estate industry’s biggest charity initiative. All professions are invited – the only prerequisite? Is that you have a big heart and are ready for the experience of a lifetime.

Since 2018, the real estate industry has supported Hands Across the Water through Digital Live, raising over $750,000 with 100+ real estate professionals that have made the journey across Thailand.

Anyone and everyone from across the real estate sector is invited to join us. This is not a franchise exclusive ride. This is an industry ride. A place for the industry to come together as one and make a difference to the lives of those that are less fortunate while making a difference in their own lives as well.

With all logistics looked after for you, this is an opportunity to get fit, have fun, create lifelong industry connections and ride to give children a life of choice.

The Journey

The Digital Live Mekong Ride starts in Bueng Khan in Thailand’s North-East. Over 6 days (5 days riding and one well deserved day of rest in between) you’ll follow the incredibly bio-diverse Mekong River, taking in beautiful rural Thailand.

From there, you will embark west through villages and rural communities not often visited by foreigners, seeing a rare and authentic side of the country not many others get to see.

Following a relaxing rest day in the middle, you’ll then set off on the last leg. The final destination? One of the Hands Across the Water’s children’s homes, Home Hug in Yasothon where you will be greeted excitedly by the children you have worked so hard to support. This last leg is an experience unable to be put into words that will stay with you forever.

John Cunningham

Director of Cunningham’s Real Estate and Board Member of REINSW
“This ride is amazing and one of the greatest philanthropic endeavours from the real estate industry that I’ve ever seen.”

Inclusions

Everything in your experience is taken care of. Read below for the full list of inclusions supplied to the Digital Live bike riders through Hands Across the Water and their experienced team.

Your accommodation is included in your ride registration investment.

While comfortable and secure, hotels will be modest in their offering and often in remote areas. WiFi is not always available; however, the majority of the hotels do have WiFi services.

Rooms are twin-share however single rooms are available upon request with an additional ‘single supplement’. If you do have trouble sleeping or know that you are a loud snorer, we ask that out of courtesy to other riders that you book a single supplement.

You will be riding a hybrid bike, a flat bar bicycle with thinner tyres than a mountain bike and thicker than a road bike.

You will have options to bring your own seats, seat covers, pedals and cleats if you wish and we will provide more information about this closer to the event.

All meals excluding lunch on the rest day are covered in your registration. Our cycling provider takes care of breakfast, lunch and dinner on the rides and provides plenty of sustenance throughout the day at the water stops. You definitely don’t go hungry on the ride!

Ground transfers between domestic flights are covered in your registration. You will be responsible for arranging your own airport transfer when you arrive in Thailand from Australia.

Your registration includes a customised cycling jersey, bib and gloves. You will have the opportunity to order additional kit pieces if you choose. You can bring your favourite pair of cycling knicks as a backup but out of respect for the sponsors we please ask riders to wear the supplied riding kit.

You will receive a Hands Across the Water travel bag for the trip. You will be required to use this bag on the trip for your main luggage. There is plenty of room in the bag for the tour and additional clothing you might want to bring for holidays pre or post the ride. You will also receive a Hands Across the Water training shirt to wear in the lead up to the ride.

We only work with the best and you will get to meet some of the nicest Thai people and support crew that you will have ever met. Nothing is too much trouble. Our bike mechanics keep everything running tip top during your tour in Thailand.

Each rider is asked to fundraise a minimum of $5000 for the Hands’ charity. Now don’t panic! Some riders ‘gulp’ at this at first but once you get started (with plenty of help from us), you’ll be blown away how quickly you can achieve this through the generosity of others.

Once you have registered and paid your deposit, you will receive a link to your personal fundraising page. You can update this page with your story and share your unique link to start raising funds. The team at Hands Across the Water are available to support you with ideas so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

You will receive a training program that will help prep you for your 500km journey. AND REMEMBER: a good 90% of the Digital Live Riders are complete novices, from all walks of life, all ages and all different fitness levels. This bike ride is not a ‘hard-core’ ride but rather for individuals who want to do something extraordinary.

The key to your training will be time in the saddle as opposed to km’s ridden so even if the weather turns poor, you can get to the local gym or spin class to clock up your hours on the bike.

We have a team of people to help you through your journey but importantly there is a dedicated ride coordinator who is there to answer any questions about the ride and arrange any additional activities you might need to organise for your experience. Hands Across the Water are here to help so just ask!

We’ll send you a rider information pack upon registration to get you on your way. You will also receive regular rider newsletters and invitations to a closed Facebook group where you will be able to support other riders and ask questions in a safe community.

We recommend you budget on 5k for this once in a lifetime trip. This includes absolutely everything apart from souvenirs, alcohol and massages if you want to treat your weary legs. If you’d like an exact quote, simply contact us and we will provide you with all details and inclusions.

About Hands Across the Water

Hands Across the Water
Charity

The primary purpose of Hands is to provide a life of choice for disadvantaged children in Thailand. We believe the best way to do this is by raising funds through meaningful and shared experiences.

Giving Kids a Life
of Choice

In just over 14 years, Hands Across the Water has raised more than $25 million for the children and communities in Thailand, and now cares for more than 350 children, with 47 of those in university.

Raise funds and join
our ride in Thailand

The Hands community that works so hard to generate the funds necessary to enable Hands to create a life of choice, often benefit more than they could ever imagine, by supporting someone else.