The Viva Italia: My First Tour With TDA Global Cycling

It’s been almost two weeks since I left the Viva Italia Cycling Tour. I flew from Palermo to Portugal to spend some vacation time with my family while the rest of the group continued their amazing Italian adventures. Having given myself enough time to rest, reflect on the trip, and overcome jet lag, I would like to share my impressions from my first (and I strongly hope, not last) cycling tour with TDA.

For those of you who haven’t read my previous blog I am fortunate to work in TDA Toronto office as the Office Manager since March 2023. In order to understand how our tours run, I joined the first section of Viva Italia and immersed myself into the mix of cycling adventures, breathtaking scenery of Italy and Corsica, and the behind-the-scenes work that makes a tour run smoothly.

There’s a certain rhythm to office life – emails, schedules, meeting…rinse, repeat. But then, life threw me a curveball – ‘Pack your bags, you’re joining the Viva Italia tour!’ My first thought? ‘This will be fun!’ My second? ‘What am I getting myself into?’

Well, now I’m back at my desk and wow – what a ride! From the moment I joined the team in Rome, until my very last ride into Cagliari, every day felt like I was living in an adventure novel. Cycling with the group, sharing laughs at the lunch spots, and discovering the charm of Italy and Corsica firsthand was nothing like making spreadsheets in the office. This wasn’t just a ride – it was an experience that brought me closer to our riders and crew, and it taught me the art of adapting to life on the road.

Starting in Rome, the ride through Northern Italy was magical. Tuscany’s rolling hills took our breath away and Florence, Pisa, and Livorno added a touch of Italian charm and history. We crossed to Corsica, where the rugged beauty of the island amazed me at every turn.

Olha and Viva Italia rider Jody on the second riding day

In Calvi, we had a taste of Corsica’s wild side and Zonza was so serene I wished we could stay an extra day. Rain challenged us along the way – especially when it hit just as we were setting up lunch – but that made the small victories feel even bigger. Cycling 66 kilometres to Bonifacio looked easy on paper, but with fierce winds it became an unforgettable struggle. Still, arriving in that cliffside town made it all worth it.

Arriving soaking wet to the hotel in Zonza

From Bonifacio, we ferried across to Sardinia, where the pace softened. The long coastal roads and beautiful beaches felt like a reward after Corsica’s mountainous terrain. The setting on the island was more relaxed, with plenty of seaside villages and open roads, perfect for cycling.

One of the biggest highlights was getting to know the TDA crew and the riders, who came from all corners of the world. At first, I was worried – how do you fit in when you’re usually the one answering emails behind the scenes? But everyone welcomed me and I quickly found my place. I’d help the crew with shopping and setting up lunch spots in the morning and in the afternoons, I’d try to hop on a bike and cycle a section of the day’s route. I got to experience the same climbs and coastlines the riders did – just with a little less endurance (and way more breaks).

An epic lunch spot somewhere between Ajaccio and Zonza in picturesque Corsican mountains

Balazs, our Assistant Tour Leader, and I ended up sharing a bike. And honestly, it wasn’t so bad – Balazs always left snacks in the bike bag, which felt like a reward every time I switched on for my ride. We started jokingly calling ourselves the ‘Eastern European Mafia’ (a little nod to our shared roots) and that nickname stuck.

Some of my most vivid memories from the tour are tied to these moments. Like that day in Corsica, when Brian rolled up to the lunch spot, made an epic skid with his bike, and shouted, “WOW! What a ride!” His face was pure joy, and it was contagious. Another day, Stacey spotted one of her favourite sweets on the lunch table – her eyes lit up instantly and she couldn’t resist taking photos and sending them to her friends. These incredible moments reminded me that it is the simple things that can easily bring happiness to people on the road. Saying goodbye to the riders was bittersweet but I treasure all the kind words they shared with me.

Prepping lunch

Working closely with the crew meant I got to see how much thought and effort goes into creating a smooth tour experience. From planning meals to finding the perfect scenic lunch spots, it’s not just about cycling – it’s about keeping the group fuelled and happy. On my last lunch day, Balazs, the Assistant Tour Leader, and I decided to spice things up and invent a new dish: the ‘Eastern European Mafia Salad.’ It was an improvised mix of everything we could find—beats, quinoa, baby mozzarella, capers and more. To our surprise, it became a hit, and everyone loved it. I think we might have started a new TDA tradition right there.

This trip taught me more than I could ever learn from a desk. The logistics, the problem-solving, the teamwork – it all came to life in real-time on the road. I gained a deeper appreciation for what our riders and crew go through every day. There were tough climbs, logistical hiccups, and moments where things didn’t go to plan, but those moments were what made the journey unforgettable.

Camaraderie was everything. Sharing the road with the riders and swapping stories over dinner each night reminded me why TDA is more than just a tour company – it’s a community. I am grateful to everyone on the tour – getting to know all of you, was an amazing experience to me, and no words are enough to express how excited I am for having this opportunity. Back at the office now, I feel more connected to our mission. It’s one thing to manage tours remotely, but it’s a whole other experience to be out there, riding and supporting the team in person.

My first TDA adventure might be over, but the road is still calling – and I know it won’t be long before I answer again.

RELATED
TOUR

Viva Italia

It has been said that ‘All roads lead to Rome’ and the Viva Italia cycling tour is simply more proof that this may indeed be the case...