The Road Less Traveled: How TDA Has Shaped My Life

Kody Block is the Content Creator for the 2024 Trans-Oceania Cycling Tour. As the tour nears the end of its first section along the Great Ocean Road in Australia, Kody was inspired to take a look back at how he ended up working on cycling tours that have taken him to such diverse locations as India, Albania, Morocco and now, Australia and New Zealand.

Kody (L) on the Trans-Oceania

“The two important things I did learn were that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking the first step, making the first decision.” – Robyn Davidson

When I first discovered the Content Creator position with TDA 2 1/2 years ago, I was an aspiring filmmaker and photographer who had purchased my first camera just a year earlier. At that time, I was working as a Career Specialist for an online education company, spending my days editing summaries and cover letters. For two years, that job served me well, and I was happy to make a positive difference in people’s lives. As time passed, however, the monotony of the work dulled my creative spirit. Each day I felt like I was carrying around a puzzle with one piece missing. No matter how beautiful the picture was, there was always that one small gap, leaving the image incomplete. I knew I loved photography and videography, and that I wanted to pursue them as a career, but I had no idea how to begin.

Enter TDA.

One day, while researching adventure photography jobs, I came across an open Content Creator position with TDA for their Hippie Trail Cycling Adventure in India and decided to apply. Eventually I heard back and interviewed for the position. Naturally I was nervous, as I was eager to leave a good impression for what I considered to be a dream job. As the interview progressed, my anxiety faded, and the conversation flowed naturally. I found it easy to be myself and talk about my career aspirations. A few weeks later, I received the job offer! To say I was excited would be an understatement. This was the opportunity I had been searching for, a chance to dive back into my creativity. One month, I was editing summaries, the next month, I was heading to India.

Gateway to India, Mumbai

Since then, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of working with TDA. The structure of what they provide is unconventional at best — a diverse group of strangers from all over the world bonding over their love of cycling and exploring countries and continents on two wheels. It’s unusual, but it works — and it works remarkably well. Since that first trip in January 2023, I’ve traveled to three more continents and 15 countries with TDA. Each tour is unique, shaped by different cultures, landscapes, riders, staff, weather, and food. No two experiences are alike. This diversity made me wonder: what makes this organization tick?

Over time, I’ve come to understand the company, its riders, its staff, and Henry, the co-founder. I’ve found one common thread that keeps everything running smoothly: authenticity. From my first interview to now, every interaction has been genuine, steering clear of the corporate persona often found in larger organizations. TDA embodies this quality — real people supporting real people. Riders and staff feel known and cared for and I believe this is what keeps them coming back.

Founder Henry Gold with field staff in Morocco

TDA has also successfully expanded into new parts of the world without drastically scaling up operations. Instead, they rely heavily on local support and people with a spirit of adventure to keep their tours running smoothly. This approach enriches the travel experience, brings staff and riders together by highlighting unique elements of each country. I’ve seen this firsthand with the tour leaders I’ve supported and the staff I’ve worked alongside. We’re not just coworkers; we’re travellers united by a shared love of exploration and discovery. It also offers opportunities for individuals like myself to experience new destinations while honing our skills. If you have an abiding interest in photography, videography, guiding, or even working as a chef, I encourage you to apply — there’s always room for enthusiastic adventurers.

Drone selfie in the Western Ghats in India

At the heart of TDA is the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to look within, discover their own passions and dive deep into what they love. While some embark on this journey alone, there are times when we all need support from the right people. TDA provided that support for me, and ever since I’ve felt compelled to return the favour through creativity. This is a company I believe in and the people behind it inspire me every day.

I’m grateful to be living my dream this way. There’s no place I’d rather be then alongside my fellow adventurers, sharing in the beauty of the world. It’s this connection and shared sense of purpose that keeps me coming back to TDA and I’m grateful to continue sharing the incredible stories that unfold on our current journey through Australia and New Zealand.

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