“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.”
– Henry David Thoreau

Having started TDA Global Cycling almost a quarter of a century ago, I periodically get heartwarming emails from past and present participants from our bicycle expeditions. One such email came a couple of weeks ago. “Today, May 11, 2026, marks exactly 13 years since our arrival of the 2013 edition of the Tour d’Afrique in Cape Town.” Alexandre Nascinamento goes on to say that, “The truth is that such a remarkable experience did not end for me when I crossed the finish line!” Alex went on to write a book about the tour  – Mais que um Leão por Diam – and then “followed an academic path with bicycles and Africa as my fields of study, eventually getting a PhD.”

It is not only these emails that are touching. On each tour that I have ridden in the last few years, there are always some participants who come up  to me with a simple message – these tours changed our lives. ‘We have gone to places we would have never seen, we have experienced things we have never dreamed of, we have been challenged and have done things we never imagined we could do, we have met wonderful people from all around the world, we have made life-long friends.’

Friendships are a very dear thing. Having friends is linked to happiness and life satisfaction. They are important when we are young and they become even more important as we age. When we are just starting out we make friends easily, in school, university and through our jobs. But as we age, we lose friends for many reasons and our lives get lonelier – it just the way it is. Sad, but true. For most of us, it becomes very difficult to make new, good friends.

To me, one of the most unexpected things that has resulted from our company’s cycling adventures is the wonderful community of people that has been created. Not just amongst our riders but also including our incredible staff members. On our tours – the longer they are, the more the impact – everyone experiences the same things, they get closer to others, they become friends. After the tours are over, people stay in touch. They go visit each other, they even plan their own cycling tours. They share a common interest, they exchange stories, tell each other about their lives, the good and the not so good, and as a result, their lives are much richer.

In an essay in the Hedgehog Review – A (Partial) Defence of Travel Writing – the writer Claire Coffey notes that “Travel brings you into contact with other minds, other worlds, not only across space and culture, but across time.” When you travel by bicycle with people from different continents and countries, young and old, as happens during our tours, and add to that the aspect of physical and mental challenge, the results are much more intense. When you undertake a cycling adventure that is longer than a month, the rewards are far beyond just an enjoyable cycling trip. This is what our TDA community is all about.

When people say they’ve ‘seen Europe’, they usually mean they’ve visited a handful of cities: Paris, Prague, Budapest of course. And fair enough – they’re beautiful. But there’s another version of Europe that exists in between those places. You don’t really notice it from a train window and you definitely don’t experience it from 30,000 feet. But on a bike? Oh, you can’t avoid it, you actually ride straight through it.

Claude Monet, Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer), 1891. The Art Institute of Chicago (public domain)

For me, it’s like the Haystacks series by Claude Monet. At first glance, they could look the same, but stay with them a little longer, and light shifts, colours soften or deepen, and the mood changes completely. Riding the Plum Ride feels a bit like that. Even if you’ve travelled widely – the kind of person who doesn’t get easily impressed – this route still has a couple of aces up in its sleeve for you. But not with big names, rather with the moments you didn’t see coming.

Kokorinsko

The opening days along the Baltic – but not the version you’d book a hotel for. The roads shift in texture, the coastline appears and disappears, and the rhythm of the ride settles in before you’ve really thought about it. A quiet ride into Kokořínsko, a protected landscape north of Prague, where sandstone formations – some shaped like natural “mushrooms” – appear between thick forests, and the road slips through valleys known as “Mácha’s country”, named after a romantic poet who found inspiration in these forests.

Banská Štiavnica

A town like Banská Štiavnica, a UNESCO-listed former silver mining town built into the hills, where uneven streets wind through a well-preserved centre, and the surrounding slopes – marked by terraces and a hillside Calvary – quietly reflect its past. There’s a stretch where, in just two days, you ride through three countries – Hungary, a brief crossing of Croatia, and into Serbia – along the flat river plains shaped by the Danube and Drava, where farmland, wetlands, and open horizon dominate the view. The road runs straight for miles, the sky feels bigger than expected, and the borders themselves register only as a sign at the side of the road.

Cycling from Niš to Vranje, the route follows quieter roads along the South Morava valley for over 120 km, gradually shifting from open farmland into a more rugged landscape, where the road tightens and the terrain begins to take over. It’s a stretch often linked to the EuroVelo 11 corridor, but it doesn’t feel marked or curated – more like moving through a part of Serbia where history sits close to the surface.

Niš

Niš, once a crossroads of empires and the birthplace of Constantine the Great, carries that weight quietly, while further south, the atmosphere begins to change – Ottoman influence showing through in architecture, in pace, in small details you notice without trying. By the time you reach Vranje, the shift feels complete – a place shaped by a different rhythm, where stories linger a little longer than expected.

Lake Ohrid

Cycling from Mavrovo to Debar, the route runs for about 50 km through the largest national park in North Macedonia, where forested slopes give way to the Radika River gorge, and the road follows emerald water between steep canyon walls. Ohrid – a pearl of the route, where an ancient lake meets a UNESCO-listed old town, recently named the ‘prettiest place in Europe’ in 2026 – the kind of place that might remind you of somewhere like Lake Como, just without the same sense of being already fully claimed.

Thessaloniki

And finally, Thessaloniki – where Greece looks a little different than expected, less polished, more layered, and where the arrival feels less like a moment, and more like the natural conclusion of everything that came before. Europe isn’t just the places you recognize. It’s everything in between – the parts you don’t plan for, and only really see when you move through them on a bike.

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Masoud Riyazati was the Content Creator on the 2026 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

In Nostalghia, a movie by Tarkovsky, a man walks across an empty pool holding a candle, and his task is to walk across the pool without the flame going out. He tries once. The flame goes out. He returns to the beginning and tries again, and this repeats over and over. The task is simple. But it demands everything. This scene is a cinematic version of life on a long-distance cycling tour.

You start riding. Then something goes wrong. You get a flat tire. You fix it and you continue. Your bike breaks. You fix it and continue. You run out of water. You fill the bottles and continue. You wake up the next day and everything repeats.

Over and over. Again and again. Nothing changes. And yet, everything does.

_________________________________________

About three months ago, a group of strangers met for the first time with one goal: to cross Africa on their iron horse. In Khoekhoegowab, a click language spoken in Namibia, the bicycle is called ‘iron horse.’ A simple name. But it felt like the right name for what carried us all the way from Egypt to South Africa.

The 7,170-kilometre journey started in Egypt, then moved through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Each country had its own character.

Egypt with its pyramids and endless yellow deserts.
Kenya and the Maasai lands.
Tanzania and Malawi, with their busy roads and children who run beside you, asking questions.
The rusty bicycles that carry a family.
Zambia and Zimbabwe, with their lush, green landscapes, climbs, and challenging roads.
Botswana, with elephants casually walking on the road or standing by the roadside.
Namibia — Oh Namibia! An otherworldly, timeless place that feels like a different planet.
And South Africa, a vibrant country with a complex and controversial history.

Just like the countries, each person had their own character. We had people in their 30s and their 70s. Twenty-seven-year-old Ana and seventy-four-year-old Clyde. Fiona, with no experience in long-distance cycling. Adam, on a personal quest to take a new direction in life. Ralf, a retired engineer who was sometimes even faster than our trucks to reach the next campsite. His pace, from start to finish, was steady. And Fred, an enthusiastic doctor who joined us in Victoria Falls, was soon loved by everyone.

They all had the same map, the same route, but different reasons to be here.
And Africa, in its own way, gives something different to each of them.

_________________________________________

We had storms that followed us wherever we went. Rain that stayed. Days when our tents filled with water and sand, poles bending under the wind.

In Botswana, the night before the 217 km ride, my tent flooded, and there was nothing I could do. I lay in my tent, soaked, listening to the constant rhythm of water, hoping it would stop. It didn’t. It carried on through the night. By morning, it was a shared experience. The campsite had turned into mud and scattered gear. You look around and see sleepless faces that still have to ride 217 kilometres.

And then Namibia. The biggest surprise for all of us. You expect the desert to be dry. It wasn’t. We were wrong. The storms kept coming. Some days, they never really left. Not to mention, we saw a river running beside the desert dunes.

_________________________________________

Riding through shifting sand, corrugation, gravel, tarmac, rocks, and even riverbeds, across rugged plains, teaches you that survival is not just physical. It is about mental strength and finding joy in small, sometimes uncomfortable moments. Trusting that, in its own way, the road will provide.

Like the day we were heading to Canyon Farmyard. The dam overflowed, and the road turned into a river. No way back, no way forward, but the road led us to a gin distillery, where the owner let us stay for the night. That unexpected change became one of the best experiences for all of us. Warm shelter, gins made with local flavours, and a quiet happiness on everyone’s faces.

_________________________________________

These moments along the journey make the ride less about distance and more about the stories each person carries with them. You begin to hear them. Not all at once, not in big moments, but slowly, over days.

People talk about their lives. About things they left behind. About things they are still trying to understand. And sometimes, they speak about people who are not here. Someone they wish they could share a moment with. A memory that returns unexpectedly in the middle of nowhere.

One day, Fred and I sat together and talked. As we shared parts of our personal stories, he told me he misses someone. Someone very special to him. He wished she were here, to see what he sees every day.

At some point, he showed me a message he had written to her. With his permission, I share it:

_________________________________________

Quote: “Many years ago, I gave you a book called On the Loose at a coffee shop across the street from the Children’s Hospital. This old Sierra Club book is about sharing wilderness experiences together. I believe you too would have loved the torrential rain, lightning, and streams of water that overcame the campsite. All of my gear was soaked. I managed to find a chair in a tool shed, where I was fully committed to sleeping, before the crew found me and brought a tarp, mattress, and sleeping blanket into the shed. The shed’s roof was leaky, but that didn’t matter, because the raindrops were caught in a bucket. Oh, how I wish you and I had experienced the storm together. I believe you too would have loved the evening and sharing the experience.”

I believe some of us have similar messages written to someone special, but never sent.

_________________________________________

Finally, there it is. The last day. One last early alarm.
Packing up your wet tent.
Checking the tires.
Filling your water bottles.
Getting on the bike with a tired body.
Looking at the sky.

Looking for Coke stops.
For the lunch truck.
For the hot soup waiting at the end of the day.

Bucket showers.
The small rituals that quietly held everything together.

A long journey where each day opened a new, unfamiliar world.

_________________________________________

As we approached the final city, Cape Town, a mix of emotions took hold. Relief, a quiet sense of happiness, sadness, accomplishment, and a question about how tomorrow will look when this is all over.

Our stories continue, but we carry something from each other.
And maybe that is what remains.

In the words of Nelson Mandela: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

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Africa holds such a special place in our hearts. It was there, after all, that Founder Henry Gold’s crazy idea of cycling from Cairo to Cape Town came to life. Over the years, we have returned to the continent with tours like Magical Madagascar, Morocco: Kingdom of the West & West Africa en Vélo but we always dreamed of doing another epic cross-continental adventure, not from north to south but instead, from west to east. Well, the time has finally arrived!

We are more than just a little excited to announce the Africa: Ocean to Ocean Cycling Expedition, a 2 month, 5040 km journey across 7 African countries – Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Eswatini & Mozambique. In June 2027, riders will dip their tires in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean before heading out across the African continent. Two months later they will pull into Maputo, Mozambique and repeat the process in the warm, blue waters of the Indian Ocean – marking the end of their incredible adventure.

>>Related: Click here for dates, prices and full details

TDA’s African Project Manager, Sharita van der Merwe, describes the route and highlights in this video.

The route will allow riders to visit a number of famous National Parks like Namibia’s, Etosha, and South Africa’s, Kruger, while also allowing them to discover lesser known gems including Angola’s stunning Serra da Leba Pass and Eswatini’s Sibebe Rock. They will pedal the challenging roads of the ancient Namib Desert, spin alongside Botswana’s shimmering salt pans, past the stunning rock formations of Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park and into South Africa’s unique Blyde River Canyon. Along the way, the riders will experience the warm hospitality and rich cultures of the African people.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us on this amazing inaugural Ocean to Ocean tour!

Registration for the 2027 Africa: Ocean to Ocean Cycling Expedition is now open.

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Rihab Gouaied is the Content Creator on the 2026 Morocco: Kingdom of the West Cycling Adventure.

We rolled into Merzouga with the sand whispering through our chains and a dry heat on our shoulders, as a small camel caravan crossed – soft pads near-silent, heads nodding, shadows sliding over our wheels.

It feels a world away from the sea air that pushed us out of Casablanca. Fourteen riders, one route – yet cycling in Morocco keeps remaking itself under our wheels. The country changes at the table and in the street, on the horizon and in the weather. Here’s how we see it now, halfway in.

Along the Atlantic

The beginning was windy – Atlantic gusts lifting flags and moods as we left Casablanca. Near Tangier, we stood where the ocean hands off to the Mediterranean, watching the water turn from wavy and rough to steady and blue. Camels moved along the shore beside the blue water – the desert meeting the sea in one frame, a first glimpse of Morocco’s diversity.

Then Tangier turned us inland and the road pitched up. The pace and traffic of the cities thinned into Rif villages where offers of water arrived before we’d even unclip. We watched bread slide into clay ovens, a single round big enough to feed ten people. Women sold it on the street and worked tending sheep, farming and carrying goods on donkeys. Their strength is visible in the daily load they carry and the way whole communities lean on them.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen’s blues felt like a cool breath between climbs. Terraces sewn with olives pulled us skyward; pine and oak gave short spells of shade. The days are long – sunset near eight p.m. – and the heat builds early.

Paul: “I was walking in the medina of Chefchaouen and I met a gentleman called Mohamed. We spent two hours walking up the hill together. He’s from Chefchaouen and shared stories about the area. It was a nice, spontaneous way to see the town with a local.”

Dag on the road

“Chefchaouen to Wahda Dam was a very tough day,” Dag said, “96 km, 2036m of climbing in 34 degrees during a heat wave.” We wild camped by the dam – the fourth biggest in Africa – and watched the sky fade.

From Wahda to Fes, the beauty didn’t let up. After the blessed rains, spring burst open: terraces quilted with wildflowers – poppies, daisies and tiny blues – fields laid out like a bright carpet. Bees worked every verge; I got stung, sad for a moment but happy that I got to see such a green spring.

Birgit meets a camel

Donkeys still do a lot of the work here and the road rolls without much rest. “This place is all but flat,” Dag laughed, “but the views make it worth it.” In Fes we took it easy – some to hammams and massages – because tomorrow promised another 1900m of climbing. Inside the medina: tanners in honeycomb pits, copper ringing through alleyways, calls to prayer stitching morning to night. Birgit said the first days were tough – some excited kids threw stones and tried to stop her bike – but the further inland we rode, the quieter it became. Big climbs, yes, but rides to savour. She was here twenty‑five years ago and noticed how modern the big cities feel now.

South again, and the worlds kept changing. Azrou to Aït Oufella brought holm oak with cedar; above 2000m we touched the High Atlas, snow still visible, a nomadic summer camp on a high meadow. Cold settled at dawn, steam rose from coffee. On plateaus the wind pressed our shoulders; we tucked in and rode as a peloton. Some riders are camping for the first time – first tents, first bush camps, trying new things and finding out how much you can carry – and leave behind. Rest days in hotels feel rich after two or three nights under canvas.

Riffian woman in her traditional outfit

Then the Ziz valley opened like a green ribbon. From the Gorges du Ziz to Merzouga, a tailwind finally helped. “160km through the Sahara,” Dag said, shaking his head, “mind‑blowing to experience the desert on two wheels with only leg power.” In Amazigh and Tuareg areas, the clothing changed: men in indigo‑dyed robes and headscarves, women in black with colourful embroidery.

With time, our group is understanding each other. Some ride in a peloton and find that sharing makes the ride mean more; others prefer a solo rhythm. Around the soup pot at camp we trade stories – the day’s climbs, the best coffee shop – and laugh until we are called to the rider meeting. Camping connects us; hotels reset us. “Every three days it’s different,” Dag shrugged. “You never get bored. Now it’s three days in desert—I think it’s enough.” Birgit looked at the dunes: “Morocco is beautiful, but this is my favourite landscape. It reminds me of my road trip in the southern desert of the USA.”

Cyclist with a Touareg man

By the time the sand rose, our idea of Morocco had shifted. The coast felt outward‑looking; the Rif felt vertical – green and in bloom; Fes layered craft and time; the Sahara pared it down. Tastes changed with the map – tagines and salads changed from place to place. Preferences split too: some live for green climbs, some for tailwinds across a flat road with only the horizon for company. We didn’t come for a single Morocco, and we haven’t found one. We’ve found many – stitched together by tea glasses, roadside smiles and the thin line of tar that keeps disappearing under our tyres.

On the next stretch we aim for Aït Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Essaouira. We’re curious about more surprising discoveries in Morocco, and about what we can do. For now, the dunes are a pause – a chance to rinse sand from the cassettes, to enjoy a glass of tea, to watch camels pass, and to note the lesson so far: distance is only one measure. Elevation, wind and welcome redraw a day, and how you see a place depends on how you move through it.

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A few weeks ago, we sent our veteran Tour Leaders Carolina and Gergo to scout the route of our new Plum Ride Cycling Tour through Central Europe, scheduled for August, 2027. When they returned from their trip, we sat down with them to ask a few questions about the route. 

Tell me the basics of the scout.. when did you start, what was the strategy, where did you go and how long did it take?

At the start

Carolina: “I met Gergo in Budapest on March 15th. We drove to Gdańsk, Poland, scouting a few new stages stages of the Amber Route along the way. Gdańsk is a fascinating port city at the Baltic Sea, the colourful facades of the Long Market are a real highlight with old buildings hosting trendy cafes, stores and restaurants full of tourists – riders that arrive earlier will find lots of places to visit. From there, we began a three-week drive toward Thessaloniki, Greece. Using the route designed by the office in RWGPS, our job was to verify the plan. Gergo drove and took RWGPS notes while I assisted with navigation and compiled the overall notes for the Tour Manual. We covered two to three stages per day, depending on whether the route was already perfect or required more exploration to find the best options.”

Gergo:  “This type of scouting mission is not new to me. In 2010, we completed the scouting for the original Amber Route with Henry. Then the Venice-Lisbon stretch with Cristiano, and so on. This time our team with Carolina started on the 16th March and I returned Hungary on the 7th April. The strategy was that we create a route between the suggested stopover locations, trying to include as many interesting places, quiet roads, and popular bicycling routes as we can.“

What were some of the highlights for you that you think the cyclists will also enjoy?

Carolina: “Plum spirits: the route moves south through territories where plum distillates change identity and style – Slivovitz, then Pálinka, then Rakia. Riders can try local brands and in Serbia it is possible to visit local distilleries. Historical depth: Riders pass through places marked by royal wealth, mining history, fortresses, castles and major turning points in European history – such as Cold War memory sites, and old imperial centres. It rides through places where European history is physically visible: Banská Štiavnica is described by UNESCO as Slovakia’s oldest mining town and later a major centre of mining education and engineering; Vukovar in Croatia, where war ruins of the battles of the 1991 are still visible on the buildings; and the White Tower in Thessaloniki that represents the city’s history from its foundation in 316/15 BC to the present.

North Macedonia

Landscape variety: The route changes constantly, starting in the north with the Baltic Sea, passes through the Spreewald – a UNESCO biosphere reserve – then moves into the Czech and Slovak river plains, the Danube cities – such as Budapest and Belgrade, with its incredible architecture, the gorgeous Balkan mountain landscapes, Lake Ohrid – the oldest lake in Europe, and finally the descent toward Thessaloniki on the coast of the Aegean Sea, crossing cherry fields.

Gergo: “Starting with Gdansk, which is a gem, an unexpectedly beautiful Hanseatic city. If the schedule allows me to do so I will definitely try to add a few days to spend there before the tour. Then Berlin, Prague, or the little known Kutna Hora or Litomysl. Budapest is a highlight of course, then Belgrade and Skopje bring a different vibe to the picture.”

What is something about our route that might surprise people?

Carolina: “The route challenges the old idea of a singular, ‘Eastern Europe’. The route moves through a region where old agrarian landscapes, socialist-era legacies, industrial strength, and fast-changing cities all exist side by side. So what riders see on the ground is not a static post-socialist landscape, but a region where villages, old industry, new factories, logistics corridors, and rapidly changing cities coexist. What also surprises people is how many different Europes fit into one ride: Baltic coast, German lowlands, Bohemian towns, Danube capitals, Balkan plains, mountain regions, and finally Thessaloniki. So the route feels big and exotic, but also surprisingly structured and rideable.”

Gergo: “The magnificent nature between the big cities, especially the forests between Czechia and Slovakia. The mountains in North Macedonia are definite highlights too.”

What are the roads like? All paved? Smooth or bumpy?

On the road in the Balkans

Carolina: “Simple 2 lane roads, mostly well paved but with some bumpy or broken secondary-road sections and short unpaved stretches from Czechia down south.”

Gergo: “Mostly paved, but occasionally broken and bumpy here or there, even a few stretches on gravel. Mostly smooth pavement.”

What is the traffic like and is there many places with separated bike paths or city bike lanes?

Carolina: “This varies a lot by region. In the north and in parts of the Danube corridor, riders should encounter more developed cycling infrastructure. Poland is part of EuroVelo 10/13, and has an extensive cycle-path network. In the Hungary/Slovakia section of EuroVelo 6, the route was on segregated or traffic-free infrastructure. Further south, riders should expect more normal road riding and less separation from traffic. Serbia and North Macedonia are mostly on local and regional roads. Some bike paths and city lanes, yes, but most of the trip is still classic road touring. Traffic is mostly low, but in some stages riders will be sharing the road with trucks and local traffic, but never for too long in any one day.”

Gergo: “This varies country by country, or by region. Good infrastructure around cities, and somewhat more challenging as we go south.”

What type of people might enjoy this cycling tour?

Carolina: “It suits people who enjoy history, changing cultures, food and drink traditions, and the feeling of crossing whole regions rather than just doing a scenic loop.“

Gergo: “People who like to ride their bicycles for multiple days in nice places. All riders? Yes, probably all.”

What type of bike would be best for this tour?

Carolina: “The safest recommendation is an all-road or light gravel bike with fast tires in the 35–40 mm range. I would avoid a very aggressive race bike with narrow tires, because the route is too long and too mixed for that to be the smartest choice.”

Gergo: “I would bring a light touring bike or a gravel bike for this tour. 40 mm touring tires are the sweet spot between good rolling properties and reliability. I suggest SPD/flat pedals and shoes with “walkable” rubber soles.”

Did you try some plum brandy or slivovitz along the way?

Carolina: “I sipped Rakia in North Macedonia. I’m not really into brandy hahah sorry, I can’t be helpful here 🙂“

Gergo: “Haha, no… we haven’t, we were too busy scouting! Oh, wait! Once in North Macedonia on a cold evening the waiter brought us Rakia – without asking. (FYI: In Macedonia they make rakija from yellow and white grapes, then – to get their own distinctive flavour – they add a blend of honey, anise and other fruits).”

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Veteran Field Staffer Doug Percival reflects on his time with TDA Global Cycling & his love for Africa’s wild spaces.

My journey with TDA began in the January of 2012.
I was hired as the bike mechanic, and flown out to Cairo to join a group of 11 other staff, and about 40 riders.

Before the 2012 Tour d’Afrique

That year was “lucky”, the Countries between Egypt and South Africa were all behaving nicely at that time, and we had a “clear run” to do the Full 12000km tour.

Having been born in South Africa, and already a very avid backpacker, the Reality and
Dream of being able to cross ‘My Continent’, came true.

Those 120 days on tour, without a doubt, changed my life.
At the time, and the months and years afterwards, i did not fully grasp the enormity of it.
For me it felt like normality, travelling and riding my bike, mixed with some long hours of
work and an incredibly social atmosphere, life on the road could have carried on way
longer than it did.

That trip set me up, for many more tours, and from it, it became my career.
Being on bicycle tours is all i have done now for 14 years.
Now that might seem odd for some, and a crazy thought for others, but for me it
became the normal.

In the latter part of the TDA tour, we crossed Botswana and Namibia, two vastly
different countries, which share a huge border, but still remain largely fence free.
Those two countries stood out for me, more than others, because of the open spaces.
Hundreds, if not thousands of kilometres of Open Space, filled with wild animals, very
few humans, and time had not changed them much.

I remember hearing lions roaring at night, seeing the herds of elephants pass right
before my eyes on the roads, crossing savannah land and desert, and finishing my days
duties with nothing but a headlamp and the billions of stars in the night sky each night. It
lived in my mind for years, it still lives in my mind.

2 years later after that experience, i met Frida ( and then somehow convinced her to
marry me!)

I of course mentioned this experience to her hundreds of times… over and over again.
She wanted to go, and i told her that One Day i will take her.

Fast forward a decade, and in March this year, we were able to make a trip to where
those memories began.

We hired a small 4×4, packed a small bag each, and drove out of the Johannesburg car
rental with not a single day planned.
The deal was, no phone service, no satellite phone, just paper maps and some pre-
loaded apps with some basic information on potential campsites in the north.

We left South Africa on day one, and straight into Botswana we drove.

From there, the deep wilderness began.
Wild camping, evening camp fires, no music, no podcasts, no social media.
It was a huge shift from our Normal day to day Life.

We went deep into Botswana, straight to the Kalahari Central Reserve.
The reserve is 53000 square kilometres, to put that into perspective, thats is bigger than
all of Switzerland or Costa Rica.
It is mind bending Big.
And there is Nothing.

Roads are jeep tracks, campsites are just flattened grass patches, no loo’s, no showers,
no nothing. Except wild animals that WILL eat you.
In the 3 days it took to traverse across the Park, we saw 4 other vehicles.
Open space, and being alone, makes you feel Alive!
The magical sun sets on the savannah, and night fall descends.
Real Africa comes out at night.
Once again, i got to relive the sounds of lion roaring at night, elephants walking past our
tent, owls hooting, hyena cackling, it puts your senses into Hyper alert.
There is no ‘just being casual and lazy’ around camp, because out there is the real deal.

We drove further north, dipped in to Victoria Falls that sits comfy between Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
The Falls in full flood, record rainfall really brought its nickname
“The Smoke that Thunders” to reality for us.

Heading Westward, we followed the thin land piece known as the Caprivi strip, a unique
and very interesting section of Namibia, that lies to the south of Angola. ( A fascinating
history of deception the British pulled on the Germans!)

Some of the wildest bit of land you can find.
Wild animals roam freely.
Humans exist in small rural villages, still living in straw and mud huts, like they have for
thousands of years.
Its like time has stood still up there.

We were alone, we hardly saw another vehicle most days.

Namibia was green, the heavy season rainfall had made a mess of the land.
Flooded roads, flooded savannah…
a green desert.

We pushed forward, taking decisions together, relying on each other to make the best
choices in some very serious situations..getting stuck was not an option, help was days
away..if we were lucky.
That made us feel Alive.

We reached the real desert in central Namibia, only to find the flooding had touched
there too.
The famous Sossusvlei dunes were unreachable, a flowing river in the World’s oldest
desert!

A dash to the mining Ghost town of Kolmanskop on the west coast, and back towards
South Africa, via the Kalahari to our East.

We covered 8350km in 28 days.
It was Huge.

At the end of each days drive, we set up camp, made a simple dinner on the gas
cooker, sipped a cup of tea, and watched one of The Greatest Gifts us humans have
been given…
The Night Sky.
A clear night sky in a land of no people, and no interruptions from ground light, is an
experience that We all should have regularly.
The perfect night sky in the Southern Hemisphere is a marvel to the eyes.
The Milky Way as bright as street lamps.

For the two of us, to have that all to ourselves, is something We will Live with in Our
minds for the rest of our lives.

Africa is like nowhere else.
Time has stood still there.
It requires patience, it requires a thick skin somedays, it requires tolerance, but it also
gives back an experience that is not found anywhere else on this planet.

I have travelled this Globe, to many different corners, and my involvement with TDA for
14 years now, has allowed me to revisit many places, many times.
The World has changed in most places, the West and East influences have blended
many places into being similar…you can argue for the better or for the worse, but the
reality is that change has occurred….but not in parts of Africa.
Africa works, in African ways.

If you Navigate yourself past a few power hungry immigration officials, and attempt
dodging several highly corrupted roadside police, and dont let the local coffee barrister
disappoint your day, then you find yourself in a place of simpler times.
Just you and open space.

What a privilege it was to return to some of the places i had last seen in 2012.
I cant think there is a single person, who would say that doing Tour ‘d Afrique didnt
change their life to some degree, i bet even Henry our Founder, shares the same
feeling. It certainly changed mine.

During this trip, One evening in Botswana, we collided with the TDA crew of 2026..and
enjoyed a tasty cold beer together at a brewery in Maun.
A young lady on the staff asked me:
“you have done so many tours, what is your favourite?”.
– its always the same answer..
Africa.
For a thousand different reasons, but mostly because it changed my life.

Doing the TDA in 2012 was the starter meal, being able to return over a decade later, at
a different age, in a different headspace..was the main meal.
Both unique, both so fulfilling.

Frida got to experience what has been living in my thoughts and memories for as long
as we have known each other, and that was beautiful to share.

I guess the point of this blog, is not just to tell you about my holiday, but more to convey
the experiences i have had from that special part of the World, that so few actually get
to see.
For all its chaos, unpredictability, and moments of discomfort, what it does give you is
Time and Space to think, reflect, dream, declutter, and plan.
-and finding that nowadays is a rarity.

Africa will test you, that is a given.
Every one of you who have done that tour, or a section, will know what i mean!

For any reader who has not been there, i cannot urge you more to dip your toes into
some African Dust…. It will make you feel Alive! Paul Simon wrote the Song “under african skies”
A beautiful song, written for a personal, musical and spiritual connection during a dark
time in South African politics.

My Version of ‘Under African Skies’, is for the Dreamer, who imagines vast lands of
natural beauty, unpredictable days, star riddled night skies, glowing campfires, and
untouched Wilderness.
One of the very last bits of Land, that has not changed.

See you on the road somewhere!

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“May you live in interesting times.”

This English expression (or curse) certainly applies to our current global situation and makes planning long distance cycling tours even more challenging than usual, throwing up obstacles seemingly endlessly. One thing we have learned over 20 years, however,  is that obstacles also provide opportunities.

In late June last year, the Thailand/Cambodia border closed due to an ongoing conflict between the 2 nations. Our popular Bamboo Road Cycling Tour had been happily pedalling across that border ever since 2013 so for the 2026 ride, we obviously needed a Plan B. We could have simply paused the tour in Siem Reap, Cambodia for a few days to make up for the missing part of the route that crossed the border and continued to Bangkok and then flown directly to the Thai capital….but, hey, where’s the fun in that!

Instead, we researched a new plan to take the riders south from Phnom Penh into the southern region of Cambodia, somewhere our tours had not reached previously. They will get to cycle through some of Cambodia’s most beautiful countryside and experience many new highlights before arriving in Siem Reap for their flight to Bangkok. Here is some of what they can look forward to.

Cardamom Mountains

The vast forested region is one of the last remaining true wilderness areas in South East Asia. It features numerous sites of historical interest like jar burials and cave art and is home to some of the country’s indigenous peoples including the Chong who predate Khmer civilization. The mountains also contain a variety of fauna such as the Asian elephant, Indochinese tiger, clouded leopard, wild dog, gaur, Malayan sun bear, pileated gibbon, Sunda pangolin, Tenasserim white-bellied rat, Irrawaddy and humpback dolphins and the very rare Siamese crocodiles.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Pangolin

The riders will pass through the Peam Krasaop & Phnum Samkos Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Peam Krasaop Sanctuary is just outside the riverside town of Koh Kong  where the riders will spend a night. Its spectacular mangroves protect the coastline and provide a safe spot for marine life to flourish. The Phnum Samkos Sanctuary is a vital area for birds and riders can also keep their eyes out for the rare pangolin.

Bonus tip: In Koh Kong, riders should be sure to visit the Crab Shack on Koh Yor Beach for delicious food and amazing sunset views.

Tatai Waterfalls

On their ride to Koh Kong, the cyclists should be sure to make the short 2km detour off the main road to see these falls. Set along the picturesque Tatai River, these beautiful rapids feature a number of refreshing pools where the riders can cool off after a long, hot day on their bikes.

>>Related Post: More (Battam)bang For Your Buck On The Bamboo Road

Sangkae River Boat Ride

Leaving the atmospheric French colonial architecture of Battambang, the riders will enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Sangkae River on a traditional Cambodian riverboat, taking in the riverside sights as they make their way to Siem Reap and the stunning temples of Angkor Wat.

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Birgit Hermann was a rider on the 2014 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

I was about to turn 33, a Schnappszahl, as we call it in German. That’s one of those numbers that comes with a bit of mischief. The kind that makes slightly questionable decisions feel like a good idea.

On paper, my life was already good. Stable job, strong community, a place that felt like home in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nothing was missing. And still, something felt… unfinished. Not in a dramatic way, just a quiet sense that I had settled into something that worked but wasn’t stretching me anymore.

Then one evening, I came across a story about a group of cyclists riding the length of Africa. Twelve thousand kilometres. Heat, dust, long days, basic roadside camps. And something clicked. Instantly, I knew: that’s it. It didn’t feel sensible, but my gut said I want to try this.

Credit: Birgit Hermann

So I signed up for the Tour d’Afrique, despite never having ridden 100 kilometres in one go. Somewhere in that decision was a simple thought: this is slightly ridiculous… but I’m doing it anyway. At the time, I had no idea how few people had actually done this. Looking back, it’s a surprisingly small group, fewer than those who have summited Everest. In hindsight, that might have been useful information. Then again… maybe not.

The plan was to start in Cairo and ride south but that’s not how it played out. Due to political unrest in Egypt, the route changed. We started in Khartoum in Sudan instead and headed north first, straight into the wind. These were the winds that usually push riders south, helping them settle into the rhythm of the ride. That year, we met them head-on. It was a rough way to begin without any easing in. No gentle start, just heat, resistance, and the immediate realization that this was going to be harder than expected.

Credit: Birgit Hermann

We rode in a loose peloton, rotating through the front, trying to shield each other. It required precision, timing, and experience—all of which we didn’t have. A small miscalculation was enough. Our handlebars touched. My balance shifted. And I hit the ground. A crash in week one! The pain came immediately.

I got back up quickly, more out of instinct than anything else, but as the day went on, it became clear this wasn’t just a bruise. By evening, even the smallest movements were difficult. I needed help taking off my tight sports bra. The pain was excruciating, unlike anything I had felt before, and left no doubt: something was wrong.

Credit: Birgit Hermann

There were no proper medical facilities nearby. Just a field assessment by the tour medic and a likely diagnosis: broken collarbone.. Which left me with a choice: Stop and get treatment. Or keep riding.

The conditions didn’t make the decision any easier. The heat in Sudan was relentless. At lunch stops, tyres would literally pop from the pressure of sitting in the sun. You’d hear it across camp…another one gone. So instead of us resting in the shade, we dragged our bikes there first. Protect the tyres, protect the rims, protect whatever we could. I had never seen tyres blister before. Out there, in over 40 degrees on long, exposed roads through the Sahara, they did.

Credit: Birgit Hermann

Everything was under pressure. Equipment. Bodies. Focus. And now, my shoulder. That night, lying in my tent, I wasn’t thinking about the distance ahead. I was thinking about whether I was done. There was no drama in it. No big internal speech. Just a quiet question: Is this where it ends? No one expected me to continue. No one would have questioned it if I stopped. But I knew I wasn’t ready to leave. So the next morning, I got back on the bike.

From that point on, the ride changed. Every movement required attention. Every adjustment mattered. I rode differently: more carefully, more consciously, constantly adapting. And mentally, I had to simplify things. Because thinking about the full distance wasn’t useful anymore. Whenever we were down to 42 kilometres, I’d say, sometimes to myself, sometimes to the riders around me: “Hey… that’s a marathon distance. That’s what other people run. Come on, we can easily cycle that.” It became a bit of a ritual. Even when we were completely exhausted, with no shade in sight, and when “easy” was the last word any of us felt.

I also started creating small rewards along the way. One of them was those infamous sports bars we were given. Some South African brand that, in the heat, turned into something closer to a concrete block than anything you’d normally call food. Chewing them mid-ride felt like a challenge in itself, but I’d save them for certain milestones, telling myself I’d earned it once I got there. It didn’t make the kilometres shorter, but it made them feel more manageable.

Somewhere along the way, the focus shifted. I stopped thinking about finishing and started paying attention to what was right in front of me. The next kilometre. The next decision. When to push. When to ease off. When forcing it made things worse instead of better. It wasn’t about riding harder. It was about staying in it.

Crossing the finish line in Cape Town months later was emotional, but it didn’t feel like the dramatic breakthrough I had imagined at the start line in Khartoum. It felt quieter than that. More like something had settled. The biggest shift wasn’t physical. It was in how I approached uncertainty and trusted myself to move forward, even without having everything figured out. What stayed with me was a deep sense that if I set my heart and mind on something, I could achieve far more than I had once believed.

The hesitation that used to hold me back didn’t disappear, but it lost its authority. I had seen what happens when you keep going anyway, and that changes how you show up long after the ride is over. You don’t wait until everything feels aligned or until you feel fully ready. You decide. You take the first step. And then you take the next.

Looking back, I thought I had signed up for a bike ride. What I didn’t realize was that I was stepping into something that would change how I make decisions, how I deal with discomfort, and how I move through moments where things don’t go to plan. Only later did I start to see how much of that carried into other parts of life, and into my work.

Credit: Birgit Hermann

Experiences like this quietly became the foundation for what I would later capture in my leadership framework and book BOLDER. Because the pattern is the same. You don’t wait until everything feels aligned or until you feel fully ready. You decide. You take the first step. And then you take the next. Sometimes, that’s all it is: One decision. Then another. And eventually, without quite noticing when it happened, you’ve gone much further than you thought possible.

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For many years TDA Global Cycling had been considering a cycling tour that would link Europe and North Africa. With our Operations Manager, Miles, coming up with the inspiration for the route and the name, we decided to forge ahead, and in 2025 we ran the first edition of The Road of Empires. This brilliant trans-Mediterranean route allows cyclists to visit southern Spain and Sicily, as well as Algeria and Tunisia, while crossing the Mediterranean by ferry, twice. It was, and remains today, a daunting logistical challenge for our operations team. It is, however, well worth the extra effort, creating a one of a kind cycling adventure that explores places few get to visit by bike.

The first edition of the tour gave our cycling participants a chance to better understand the intertwined history of the region, including the empires that moved across those lands, and to see just how many similarities and contrasts exist culturally on both continents along the Mediterranean to this very day.

>>Related Post: Road Of Empires Rider Reviews: A Fascinating Journey Back Through The Earliest Stages Of Recorded History.

We sat down with our Operations Manager to discuss how he came up with the concept and what the riders can expect to experience along the way during the next Road of Empires adventure scheduled to start in Seville in March, 2027.

Exploring More of Spain and Italy

In Spain and Sicily, where TDA has already run tours, it was not difficult to research additional options. For Spain, we wanted to include the southern Spanish cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba with their Roman and Moorish history and grand architecture. In terms of cycling in Spain, we knew how incredible the roads are in Andalusia and how beautiful the Sierra Nevadas would be.

For Sicily, it was similar, in that we wanted to cycle new regions of the island, areas that we do not currently cover on our Viva Italia tour. So we included a visit to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the chance to visit the ancient mosaics nearby in Piazza Armerina. Finishing in Syracuse, once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was a fitting way to conclude the trip.

Algeria and Tunisia & North Africa

Algeria and Tunisia were much more difficult to research. In Tunisia, there have been some local cycling tours, as well as more independent cyclists crossing the country, but in Algeria there had been no commercial cycling tours in recent decades and very little information from independent cyclists. This was a big part of the draw for us. We love to open new countries to cycle tourism and experience new lands and cultures ourselves.

We spent months researching roads with satellite viewing, searching out local contacts in both countries to communicate with, reading up on the historical and cultural highlights to visit, and planning a scouting trip to go and check all the details. This is where we were able to confirm the area’s suitability for cycling, in terms of safety, logistics, accommodations, government approvals, ancient ruins to visit and, most importantly, the potential for fun!

In North Africa, what will be remembered by the riders, without a doubt, is the hospitality and curiosity of the local people along the way. They will also be amazed by the lush, green environment of the North African coast, the abundance of Roman ruins, the cultural influence of previous French colonialism, and the incredible cycling. Many of our participants on the first Road of Empires noted that some of the days were the nicest routes they’d ever ridden.

Anyone who loves exploring new lands, cycling along coastlines and through mountains, experiencing and learning about different cultures, who has dreamed of being an archeologist (or at least are ready to be amazed by the ancient ruins along the route), and anyone who is up for an adventure, is going to love this cycling adventure!

Registration for the 2027 Road of Empires is now open.

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I guess when people think of a bicycle tour, the first image that comes to mind is a tight pack of cyclists, all riding at the same speed. And at times, that image is what holds people back from signing up for their first tour with us.

If you’re picturing that kind of group… You can relax. That’s not what TDA is about. In fact, something quite different happens – on any given day, the group spreads out.

Ready to roll

Riders roll out for the day after breakfast, some immediately ticking off the kilometres, others taking their time, enjoying a second coffee and extra pastry perhaps! Some riders stop at every interesting viewpoint, bakery, or roadside café along the way. Others ride steadily, finding their rhythm and sticking to it for most of the day. You might be surprised, but I once met a rider who managed to take a short nap right next to our TDA lunch van.

Riders gather at lunch

By midday, riders are spread out along the route – riding their own pace. Of course, riding at your own pace doesn’t mean you’re on your own. You’ll find that many of your new tour friends will cycle a similar pace and want to join you for the day. As well, the TDA crew is out on the road, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. There is the TDA lunch stop, and a sweep rider that follows behind the last rider in our group. So, whether you’re having a strong day, taking it easy, or somewhere in between, there’s support nearby.

And if a day doesn’t go as planned, that’s okay too. You can ride a ½ day by hopping in the support vehicle till lunch, or from lunch, or take a full day off the bike to rest and recharge.

What often surprises people is how natural it all feels once you’re there. There’s no pressure to keep up, no sense of falling behind. Just the quiet rhythm of moving forward at your own pace.

So, can you ride at your own pace? Yes. That’s exactly how it’s meant to be. If that was the one thing holding you back, maybe it’s time to take a closer look. You might find it’s more within reach than it seemed.

“He who does not have slivovitz has no luck.”
“Slivovitz is the best medicine.”
– Slovak Proverbs

What’s in a name, you may ask? Or how do we choose a name for a new tour? Our company is known for creating exhilarating cycling adventures in all corners of the world but it is in Europe where we have the largest number of our tours. Each one has its own path, a theme that we would like to explore. Yet, even with our tours crisscrossing the continent, one area that was largely missing was Central Europe.

I was born in that region, Czechoslovakia to be exact. One day when I was alone in the office, staring at a large map of the world, I heard a little whisper coming from the wall. I stopped what I was doing and listened…“Henry, how come none of TDA tours visit Berlin, Prague or Belgrade? Why have TDA not explored more of Central Europe? After all, that is where your roots are?”

And so it began. Everyone on the team contributed and our efforts resulted in a tour that starts on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Gdansk, Poland, the birthplace of Solidarity, the movement that initiated the fall of Soviet Empire. It ends on the shores of Aegean Sea in Thessaloniki, Greece, the country’s second largest city, well known for its rich Byzantine history.

White Tower in Thessaloniki

Now that we had the route, what do we name it? After all, when you travel in a country or through a region, there are many aspects to explore. There is nature, there is art, there is architecture, history, food and, of course, there is culture. When looking at the entirety of the route, there seemed to be one aspect that kept popping up.

My father, who lived to be 87, had one memorable habit. Each morning, after spending an inordinate time in the bathroom cleaning himself top to bottom, would head for his liquor cabinet, pour himself a shot, preferably slivovitz, and thus start his day. Lest you think my dad was an alcoholic, in my whole life I never saw him drunk, not at home, not at weddings and not at any religious celebrations. One or two shots a day and that was enough. And, as far as I can tell, he wasn’t alone in this habit.

I mention the vignette about my father simply to point out that, in Central Europe, a big part of the culture is the consumption of plum brandy, sometimes known locally as Palinka or Rakia. As I hinted above, drinking slivovitz at weddings, funerals, births and other life events, is so ingrained that it “has been recognized by UNESCO as part of Serbia’s intangible cultural heritage, reflecting its deep-rooted social practices and customs.” Plum brandy or Slivovitz is present in proverbs, songs, media, movies, television shows and literature, reflecting local customs and social practices.

And according to AI, and really what better source is there, “Plum brandy, like other types of brandy, can offer several health benefits when consumed in moderation. It contains antioxidants that may help lower bad cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and support the immune system, making it beneficial for heart health and respiratory issues.”

What’s in a name you ask? Well, plum brandy is often associated with themes of friendship, longing, and the joys of life. Isn’t that what TDA tours are all about?

 

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Join me, TDA Founder Henry Gold, for a Slivvitz or Two! I plan to cycle this inaugural tour in 2027. For those alumni who I have never met, I invite you to come along. If you have never done a TDA tour, come ride with me and I will share with you a little bit more about the region I once called home.

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Masoud Riyazati is the Content Creator on the 2026 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

How does it feel to wake up and have about an inch of sand in your tent, on your skin, and even some in your teeth? Don’t get me wrong. This is not a complaint. You sleep under millions of stars. You wake up to the most glorious sunrise. And then you have to shake the sand off your body and your tent. This is the Namib Desert.
………….

We have had an unbelievable experience since entering Namibia. Unpredictable weather with extreme rainfall and strong winds. Flooded roads that are usually supposed to be dry. This kind of weather is very unusual here. For example, the day we wanted to see Deadvlei, a place known for its ancient dead trees surrounded by bright orange sand dunes, the road was flooded in a way that made it impossible to reach. Our rest day in Sesriem was its own adventure. The whole night, sleeping in our tents, it felt like they might fly into the sky at any moment because of the extreme wind. When we woke up, the sand had covered everything.

And when you think, well, I’m going to clean this and go ahead with my day, the rain starts. But not just any kind of rain. The wild African rain, where the sand turns into mud, getting into everything. You see everyone running in a frenzy, trying to save their equipment. When it’s all over, you stand there, look around, and ask yourself: Why am I here?

I think whatever we had experienced so far on this Tour d’Afrique was a kind of training, preparing us for this, for Namibia and its otherworldly desert.

Riding through the Namib Desert, I couldn’t help but think of The Sheltering Desert, a 1957 memoir by the German geologist Henno Martin, who hid in the desert to avoid internment during World War II. There is a connection between his story and ours. Survival, adaptation, endurance. But there is also a contrast. He was here to escape something.

But why are we here?

I look around and see people in sweat-soaked jerseys, sunburned skin, and red marks from mosquito bites. People who most likely had comfortable lives back home, far from this kind of discomfort. That curiosity led me to ask riders a simple question: Why are you here?

Usually, they pause. They look into the distance before answering. For many, it is about experiencing this continent firsthand. Learning something about Africa. Discovering new places, new perspectives. But for some, the answer goes deeper.

Gijs and Loes

Gijs gave me an answer I did not expect. I share it with his permission. He told me that he and his wife always wanted children, but that it would not happen for them. So they asked themselves a different question: What else can life be?

They came here to fill that emptiness. Not by escaping it, but by transforming it.

Through cycling.
Through people.
Through challenge.

His answer made it clear that some of us are here to confront our limits, and what better place than a desert for that?

The desert is an unforgiving landscape. It strips you down to your bare essentials and teaches you the meaning of resilience. The temperature fluctuates drastically. The terrain is harsh, and each surface has its own character. Endless gravel roads burn your eyes after hours of riding. Corrugations test your patience, and each mile leaves a visible trace on your body. Some days the road resists you, forcing your legs to push harder and your body to endure more. Other days, with a tailwind, it feels as if the desert itself is guiding you forward. Here, adaptation becomes your language. By now, we have learned to camp wild, ration water, shower cold with a small bucket, and accept mosquitoes as part of daily life.

But at the same time, the desert offers something rare:

space, silence, and clarity.

Out here, you do not just ride through the desert. You become part of it. Cycling allows you to feel the history of the land beneath you.

The Namib Desert is one step before we reach our final point. The end of Tour d’Afrique in Cape Town, where we can look at each other and say: we did it. But not yet. For now, we stay focused on the road.

There are still a couple of weeks ahead, and the final stretch of any TDA tour is always the most emotional. Every morning and every night, you feel it. We are getting closer to the end. And that is a strange feeling.

You think about home. Your family, your garden, your coffee, your food, your favorite places, the simple things you miss. But at the same time, you know that going back means this will end. To understand what that truly feels like, we have to wait a little longer.

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The inaugural Tea Route Cycling Tour, taking riders over 2600 km from Kochi, India to Colombo, Sri Lanka, crossed the finish line just over a month ago. Now that the cyclists who took part in this sold out adventure have returned home, let’s see what they had to say about their experience…

“This was my first tour with TDA and it will not be my last! The route was well scouted, the trip leaders were supportive and generous with their knowledge and the other participants were just awesome….the landscapes, the historical buildings, and most of all, the local people were absolutely amazing. I have traveled in many places in the world and have found very a few places with people as friendly as southern India and Sri Lanka. I would go back in a heartbeat and do it all over again – challenges and all. Thank you TDA for creating and executing such a rich experience.” – Bob Bathrick (USA)

“The Tea Route ride was great!I enjoyed the places we visited, the cities and villages and meeting Indians and Sri Lankans. I really enjoyed seeing art and temples on the trip. The Indian and Sri Lankan food was delicious! I loved seeing the nature and animals/birds in India and Sri Lanka.” – Fiona Efron (Australia)

“This tour was an adventure. Sri Lanka exceed expectations in almost every way and should be considered a world class cycling destination.” – Justin Ripley (USA)

“It was an epic adventure in which so much happened each day that thinking back over the prior week or so was almost overwhelming. There is just so much to see, do and experience.” – Michael Talbert (USA)

“From our 1st day on the Tea Route in Kochi, India, and from the moment we rode out our of the hotel door on a daily basis, India was full of humanity, cultural diversity, colour, craziness, surprise and stimulation around every corner. Sri Lanka is more relaxed, being a scenically beautiful country with interesting villages, towns, landscapes, coastlines, rice paddies, coconut trees, full of wildlife, with a long history, culturally fascinating, where the people are friendly and welcoming, and also much to see around every corner.” – Maurice Efron (Australia)

“I loved the Tour. It was even better than what I expected. The group was great and the staff very helpful. Well done everyone.” – Marie-Jose Vasseur (Canada)

“A fascinating immersion in local cultures and the activities of daily life, which you can only get by riding through small communities at all times of day (early morning, when people are going to school/work, midday, afternoon).” – Max Davis (USA)

“The Tea Route takes you through a variety of tropical regions where you see bananas, cardamom, rice, coconuts, cinnamon, and tea. The tea plantations are amazing to see in both India and Sri Lanka. The people are very friendly and helpful…The scenery is spectacular. There are a variety of religions in the region: Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Moslem, and Jewish. The fresh fruit is amazing: pomegranates, bananas, pineapple, mango, papaya, guava, etc. The hotels were 5 star. There is a lot of very good food every day.” – Michael Dreiling (USA)

“I love a deep dive into other cultures. I am very grateful for the opportunity that TDA gave me.” – Kathy Herson (USA)

Registration for the 2028 Tea Route Cycling Adventure is now open.

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Somehow, after working on and helping organize TDA Global Cycling tours for the past 20 years, the stars never aligned for me to travel to India, nor participate on TDA’s Hippie Trail tour.

At long last, 2027 will be the year I get to join the tour! I’ll be there to help our staff team as needed, meet the cyclists participating on the trip, and experience the sights, sounds and culture of India.

There are many aspects of the Hippie Trail that I’m looking forward to, and I thought I’d share a few of them here.

Getting to meet up with staff persons Baba (left) and Ezhil (right), who are the backbone of our India tours. They’re a pleasure to work with and their care and concern for our participants is well known by all who’ve been fortunate enough to cycle on a tour they’ve worked on. Perhaps even a quick visit to their home city of Bangalore before the trip will occur!

Chef Miles at work on the 2006 Tour d’Afrique

Indian Cuisine. Having worked in restaurant kitchens and as a Chef on TDA tours, food has been an integral part of my professional life for decades. The opportunity to delve into the diverse regional cuisines of India is something I’ve wanted to do forever! There’s no better way to learn about a culture than through its food. As a lover of spice and heat in my food, as well as mutton, the Rajasthani Laal Maas curry is a particular dish I’ll be on the lookout for.

The historical and architectural journey. There are few nations on earth with a more rich and diverse civilization. The ebb and flow of empires across its land have left distinct ways of being as well as a dazzling variety  of distinctive architecture, from the Taj Mahal to the Victorian Gothic design at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (above). My university survey course on the History of India is somewhere in the recesses of my brain and I’m keen to get those neurons working again.

The cycling. This is certainly a given for most who are joining the Hippie Trial, but for myself I rarely cycle on our tours while I’m working on them. Though being a long-ago competitive cyclist myself, most of my cycling these days is confined to the city limits where I live, with the occasional longer rides. I can think of no better country to delve into cycling on our trips than India, with it’s hectic and beautiful nature, bountiful colours, and curious and hospitable locals upon our routes. The Hippie Trail is a full-on embrace of the nomadic cycling lifestyle and a deep cultural immersion unique in this world. Can’t wait!

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We all have a back story, a past before we hooked up with Henry Gold’s crazy concept of crossing continents on a bicycle. Part of our Operations Manager, Miles MacDonald’s pre-TDA history includes a touch of competitive cycling.

The Junior (18 and under) Canadian National Cycling team (above) departed Ottawa airport in early September 1993, flying to a Canadian military airbase near Lahr, Germany on a Canadian Defense Force flight. The base, a cold war relic, would be shut, at least for Canadian troops a few years later. For the team, including myself, the base was our first destination in Europe and despite the oddity of seeing vehicles driving around with Canadian license plates, we had arrived.

If you are not a hockey player in Canada, or maybe a figure skater, then your national sports organization has a tight budget. We had gotten onto this flight for I would assume nothing, the drawback being the scheduling was a bit tight. Descending the stairs from the plane down to the tarmac, our bicycles, in cardboard boxes, awaited us. At that point it was a race to open the boxes, put our bicycles together, get changed into cycling gear, and ride towards the start line of our first race, the Pepsi Lite Challenge, a Junior World Cup 6-day stage race in the Black Forest region of Germany.

Miles, the Younger

The first stage of the race was an evening criterium in the center of the town of Lahr. After cycling to the start line, with our team support vehicle following behind, our impatient coach honking the horn most of the way, we waited nervously with anticipation for the start of the race. First though there was the word passing through the local crowd, as well as the riders, that the world cycling championships happening on the same day in Norway, had finished, with a young Lance Armstrong claiming the title.

The sun lowered in the sky, and the organizers positioned cars with headlights turned towards the corners of the course for extra light, the start gun went off and away we went. Criteriums are short and fast, at least short by road race standards, usually not more than an hour long. In America they remain one of the most popular forms of bike racing due to the ease of watching for spectators. In Europe they are enjoyed by the locals as well for this reason, but they are treated more as show than serious cycling, and the epic road races of the continent are what every cyclist dreams of winning. That doesn’t make criteriums any easier though.

Our team was 6 riders and none of us had experience racing in Europe. We had performed well during the year in North America to make the Canadian team, with national champions and World Cup stage race winners in the group. For all that though, everything about being in Europe felt fresh, exciting and foreign. Maybe due to the adrenaline of our recent arrival, all of us were towards the front of the race, with many attacks flying up the road, my teammate Guillaume from Quebec jumped into a breakaway, and when another rider attacked to try and bridge up to the lead group I jumped on his wheel and followed him up to the leaders.

As the local crowd cheered us on, and the sky grew completely dark, with the roads illuminated only by the street lamps and car headlights, our breakaway raced on towards the last lap, and it became apparent we would succeed in staying away from the main peloton. Unfortunately for myself and Guillaume, neither of us could sprint very well, and so as we rounded the last bend and headed for the finish line, I pretty much went backwards and finished 4th, while Guillaume managed 2nd.

All in all, after being on a plane across the Atlantic Ocean only hours earlier and now taking 2 out of the top 4 spots in the first stage of the race, we were feeling pretty good about ourselves. Our coach wasn’t quite as impressed. Meet Yury Kashirin. Russian, Olympic gold medalist as a cyclist with the Soviet Union team time trial squad in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He was also the winner of the U.K.’s prestigious “Milk Race” in 1979 and 1982 and later coached the gold medal winning Soviet team time trial squad in the 1988 Barcelona Olympics, the last Olympics to fly the CCCP flag.

Yury was distinctly underwhelmed, with 2 out of 4 riders in the breakaway we still hadn’t managed to win, and that wasn’t something to celebrate. Regardless, the main goal of our European racing excursion was preparation for the upcoming world championships in Australia, and Yury felt pressure to get results, and to whip us into Soviet style shape for the world stage. So, he did what he would have done with his Soviet era teams, and told us to cycle the 40 km in the dark to our hotel, in the direction of Freiburg. The crisp dark air enveloped us as we cycled, with only the team car’s headlights to illuminate our way.

Masoud Riyazati is the Content Creator on the 2026 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

For days, the road has dictated everything: when to wake, when to eat, when to push forward. The rhythm becomes so familiar that you stop questioning it. But every journey, no matter how relentless, contains moments where it pauses, not as a break, but as a shift.

Today, the road dissolved into water.

For twenty-four hours we drift between two shores, between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Suspended between two countries, we are removed from the logic of the road. The bicycles, those faithful instruments of movement, lie somewhere below the deck, suddenly irrelevant.

And for the first time in days, no one measures anything.
Not time.
Not distance.
Not effort.

As a Content Creator, moments like this create a strange question for me: what exactly should I write? Should I describe the journey from my own point of view, or simply observe what others feel and record their stories? Sometimes I think too much about it. But perhaps writing, like cycling, works best when you stop forcing direction and simply follow what is already there.

So instead of searching for a story, I look around.

It’s an old ferry called Sea Lion. The captain looks like someone taken straight out of an old film, steady in a way that suggests long years at sea. The kind of face you trust, even without knowing why.

There are two decks. The lower deck is larger, with tables and chairs, though not quite enough for everyone. Some riders have placed mattresses and pillows on the floor, turning the space into something softer, more intimate. It feels less like transport and more like a temporary home.

The upper deck is smaller, quieter, closer to the control room. Fewer people gather there. Less conversation, more distance. Even here, without words, you begin to notice how personalities arrange themselves in space.

On the main floor, there is a room with a small kitchen, chairs, and free coffee and tea. Some prefer to stay there. Others remain outside, carried by the wind.

I sit on the lower deck.

Allen is in front of me, reading his e-book with a gentle smile. Every now and then he nods slightly, as if agreeing with the page. Maybe it’s something profound. Maybe something simple. Or maybe he is just content.

Next to him, Alex is curled up on a mattress, deeply asleep. Beside him, Lea is also asleep in his chair. I think I’ve seen Lea sleeping more often than riding. The first time we met, he told me with confidence, “I’m the funniest person in this group.” At the time, I wasn’t sure. But now I believe him.

A little further away, Danny and Nicky lean against the railing, speaking quietly while watching the water pass.

Most people are reading. After long days on the bike, it has become a shared ritual. But today it feels different. There is no fatigue behind it. No urgency. Just stillness.

Megan sits nearby with her eyes closed, listening to music. It looks less like listening and more like resting inside herself.

I look outward.

On my right lies Zambia. On my left, Zimbabwe. The skies above them are not the same. Zambia is covered in grey clouds. Zimbabwe is open and bright, with distant mountains. We remain on the sunny side, on Lake Kariba, the largest artificial lake in the world.

Clyde sits in the wind, eyes closed, face lifted slightly toward the sun. There is something about his expression, a quiet kind of joy that does not ask for anything more.

Anna, the youngest in the group, sits across the deck, drawing portraits as she often does. I don’t know who she is drawing, but I know she is paying attention in a way most of us forget to.

Earlier today, before this quiet settled in, I asked some riders a question: What moment from this journey will stay with you?

No one could answer immediately. It’s never one moment. But after some thought, they tried.

For Adam, it is the children by the roadside. A group runs toward you, laughing, shouting, asking questions. But there is always one child, slightly apart, shy, watching quietly. When he notices that one and waves directly, something changes. The shy face opens. A small hand lifts. A smile appears. For Adam, that is enough.

Ian spoke about humility. A local cyclist appears beside you, a rusty bike, flip-flops, no visible effort. They ride with you, then pass you, even on the climb. Before disappearing, they look back and smile. That moment stays with him.

For Eric, it is a realization that happiness might not require as much as we think, and that what we chase at home may not be necessary at all.

Quintin remembers a night at Lomagundi campsite. Hippos were moving in the darkness, close enough to hear, close enough to feel. Later that night, Richard sent a photo to our group chat: a massive hippo standing just meters from a tent. It was Quintin’s tent. For him, being inside that tent, listening to that sound, is something he won’t forget.

Later, I spoke with Clyde. Tomorrow will be his last riding day, and he will leave us, so I spent more time talking with him.

He told me about a day riding toward Mbeya. Heavy rain was falling, the kind that turns everything into mist and mud. On the climb, he felt exhausted and needed a break. He saw a small shelter where locals had gathered, with a fire barbecuing corn. He stopped and joined them. They welcomed him and offered warmth and corn.

When the rain slowed down, he continued. Hours later, he arrived at camp, soaked and exhausted. It was a rest day, so he wanted a room instead of staying in a tent, but he found out that there were no rooms available. He began looking elsewhere.

Then, without him knowing, Brittany heard about a room becoming available. She asked the reception to keep the room for Clyde and told him to take it.

He told me this quietly. At one point, his voice softened. His eyes filled slightly.

For him, that is the meaning of this journey.

Not the distance.
Not the mountains.
Not even the wildlife.

But the small, unspoken gestures between people who were strangers not long ago.

Listening to him, something became clear to me.

Yes, we are riding across a continent. But that is only the visible part. Beneath it, something else moves, a search for connection, for meaning, for moments that remind us of what we are capable of.

Oh, the ferry horn sounds. Soon we will stop for a swim break.

For now, we remain here, suspended in this brief pause where nothing is required of us.

On the Tour d’Afrique, we call this a social day.

But it feels like something more.

A moment where the journey stops moving, so that something else can begin.

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Each year, we ask our community to tell us what we’re doing well, where we can improve, and where you want to ride next. This year, 379 newsletter subscribers and 274 past participants took the time to share their thoughts. That’s hundreds of voices impacting the future of TDA Global Cycling.

First – Thank you! We read every comment and we’re also randomly drawing the name of one lucky respondent who will receive a US$250 gift card to their local bike shop as a small thank you for being part of the conversation.

Now, here’s what we learned.

Who You Are

Our community remains wonderfully consistent. More than 80% of both newsletter subscribers and past riders are 56+. Around two-thirds are based in North America, with a growing European contingent as well.

What Your Ideal Tour Looks Like

While our epic multi-month camping expeditions continue to attract many riders, the surveys revealed a common preference for a slightly different style of tour as well.

Across both surveys, a very clear picture emerged.

The dominant preference:

• 4–6 weeks
• Moderate difficulty (“challenging but not brutal”)
• 80–100 km per day
• A mix of camping and hotels
• Mostly paved roads, with some gravel
• Scenic routes with real cultural depth

Of course, this doesn’t capture everyone’s preferences – many riders are looking for hotel only based tours, while others are happiest on long distance expedition routes.

Still, it was interesting to note how often this type of balanced tour appeared in responses.

Where You Want To Go

Yuanyang Rice Terraces on The Road To Shangri-La

Africa remains the most aspirational region, followed closely by South America, the Silk Route, Japan, and parts of Mediterranean Europe.

What stood out most was that destinations themselves remain the biggest driver of interest. Riders consistently told us that the specific countries and landscapes on a route matter more than almost anything else.

As one rider put it: “Location, location, location.”

What’s Holding People Back

TDA staff preparing a delicious lunch on the Viva Italia Tour

For newsletter subscribers who haven’t yet joined us, the biggest barriers are clear:

• Cost
• Time
• Travel logistics, including flying with a bike
• Concerns about fitness or “keeping up”
• Worries about illness or unexpected challenges during a long trip

For past participants, cost appears less dominant, but scheduling, logistics, and life timing still play a role in deciding whether to join another tour.

These are all things we’ll continue working to address through clearer information, preparation resources, and open conversations with riders. A recent blog post has already started exploring some of these topics in more detail.

Loyalty & Momentum

TDA alumni on the Island Hopping Japan Tour

The Participant Survey rated TDA very highly again this year and alumni had many positive things to say about their experiences. Nearly 40% of past riders said they are planning another group cycling tour within the next 12 months, which is encouraging to see.

Among newsletter subscribers:

• 56% say they plan to ride with TDA in the future
• 35% are undecided
• Only 3% say no (which is half less than last year)

To those undecided amongst you, we will continue to try and provide information to address some of the things holding you back.

What You Want to Read – And What You Want to See

Mt Kilimanjaro on the Tour d’Afrique

One thing is very clear: you want to feel what the ride is like.

In the newsletter, rider stories remain the most popular content. Nearly a third of respondents told us that personal accounts from the road are their favourites – the real experiences, the long days, the unexpected moments, and the quiet pride at the finish.

Tour information and itineraries follow closely behind. You want clarity about where the tours go and what the experience actually looks like.

Visual content – photos and short videos – also ranks high, reinforcing something we already know: it’s much easier to imagine yourself somewhere when you can see it.

When we asked what you’d like to see more of, many of you asked for more preparation guidance – training advice, packing tips, gear recommendations, and a clearer sense of what a typical day on tour really feels like. That suggests many readers aren’t just dreaming about these trips – you’re seriously considering them and trying to understand what it would take to join.

On social media, the message was even simpler: show us the ride.

More real footage, daily updates, more terrain, more camps. Less polish, more struggle and challenge. You want to see what it’s really like out there – not just the highlights. And honestly, we love that. Because that’s where the real story is anyway.

About 30% of our newsletter community follows us on social platforms. Among past riders, that number jumps to nearly two-thirds. Facebook remains the strongest platform with participants, while Instagram continues to grow. YouTube trails behind but still has a loyal audience.

Just as interesting: many of you openly said you’re simply not into social media at all. That’s completely fine. We know some of you prefer a long read over a scroll, and we’re not here to drag anyone into algorithms. But if you ever do feel like seeing more from the road – the daily ride clips, the camps, the behind-the-scenes moments – you know exactly where to find us.

What Happens Next

At the finish line. 2025 North American Epic

Now we sit with it.

We read it all again: praise, tough feedback, thoughtful suggestions, one-line jokes and the long, heartfelt paragraphs. Henry will ask a few questions – he always does. The kind that start with “But what does this really mean?” And then we’ll talk, and we’ll make a plan. Not just to adjust a tour here or tweak a newsletter there, but to keep inspiring you. Because this feeling goes both ways. You inspire us – to be better, to think bigger, to create smarter routes, to refine the details, and sometimes, yes, to be a little crazier in what we attempt next. At the end of the day, this is what TDA has always been about: human connection, shared effort, shared stories, and shared roads. And what we have with all of you – we value that immensely.

Thank you for riding with us. In every way that you do.

When I first heard that Michael was working on designing the Plum Ride Cycling Tour, I literally screamed with joy. Yes – actual squealing. If you know me, even a little, you probably know that I have a special affinity for Poland. The fact that the sections of the tour are named Slivovitz, Pálinka, and Rakia already makes me smile – but that’s a story for another time.

What truly made me happy, though, was learning that the tour will start in Gdańsk. I’ve been there once before. I remember taking a cozy train from Warsaw – just three hours – and suddenly you arrive somewhere completely different. The air smells of the sea, the light feels softer, and before you know it, you’re standing on the shores of the Baltic. It’s one of those places that instantly feels both grand and welcoming at the same time. But did you know that Gdańsk is actually part of something bigger?

The Tricity

Gdańsk belongs to what locals call the Tricity – a unique urban area made up of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. Though each city has its own personality and history, together they form one continuous coastal region along the Baltic Sea. Gdańsk is the oldest and most historically rich of the three, with centuries of maritime trade and cultural influence. Gdynia is the youngest – a modern port city that rose rapidly in the 20th century when Poland needed a new gateway to the sea.

And Sopot, nestled between them, became the region’s beloved seaside resort, famous for its beaches, elegant villas, and lively summer atmosphere. Today the three cities are seamlessly connected by trains, bike paths, and coastal promenades. You can move between them effortlessly – which makes exploring the area by bicycle truly delightful. And if you’re arriving for a cycling tour… well, you’re already doing it right.

Gdańsk: History On The Baltic Coast

Gdańsk is one of those cities where history is everywhere you look. For centuries it was one of the most important trading ports on the Baltic Sea and a powerful member of the Hanseatic League, the medieval network of merchant cities that connected northern Europe. Walking through the historic centre today, you can still feel that maritime legacy. Tall merchant houses line the streets in a colourful parade of architecture, church towers rise above the skyline, and along the Motława River stands the famous medieval crane that once loaded cargo from ships arriving from across Europe. Gdańsk is also a city that played a pivotal role in modern history. In the 1980s, the Solidarity movement began here at the Gdańsk Shipyard – a workers’ movement that would eventually help bring about the fall of communist rule across Eastern Europe.

A Cycling Capital Of Poland

For cyclists, Gdańsk has another pleasant surprise: it’s one of the most bike-friendly cities in Poland. Poland in general is wonderfully welcoming to cyclists, with well-maintained bike lanes, thoughtful infrastructure and scenic routes that connect cities, parks, and coastlines. Gdańsk is a perfect example of this culture. Exploring the city by bike feels natural, and honestly the best way to do so. You can ride along the Motława River, glide through green parks, and reach the Baltic shoreline within minutes. The bike paths are smooth, safe, and often incredibly scenic. If you’re arriving a day or two before the Plum Ride begins – and I highly recommend that you do – it will give you time to explore. Gdańsk is the kind of city where wandering around is half the joy, but here are a few places worth putting on your list:

Long Market – The heart of the historic centre and one of the most beautiful streets in Poland. Colourful merchant’s houses, the iconic Neptune Fountain and the elegant Artus Court make this area feel like a postcard.

St. Mary’s Basilica – One of the largest brick churches in the world. If you’re up for a little climb, the tower offers incredible views over the city’s rooftops and the Baltic beyond.

Żuraw

The Gdańsk Crane (Żuraw) – A medieval port crane that once loaded cargo from trading ships. It’s one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and a reminder of Gdańsk’s maritime past.

European Solidarity Centre – A modern museum dedicated to the Solidarity movement that began here in the 1980s and helped change the political landscape of Eastern Europe. Even if you’re not a big museum person, the story is powerful and the architecture is striking.

The Motława River Walk – A perfect place for an evening stroll. Restaurants, cafés, and old harbor buildings line the waterfront, and the atmosphere becomes especially magical at sunset.

A Small Detour To Take

Now here’s my personal confession: if I join this tour – and I really hope I will – I plan to arrive a little early. Why? Because I want to ride my bike to Sopot. Sopot sits just between Gdańsk and Gdynia, and although the Plum Ride doesn’t pass through it, it absolutely deserves your attention. I once spent three or four days there and remember thinking that I should have stayed longer.

Sopot’s story is quite different from Gdańsk’s. In the 19th century, when seaside resorts became fashionable across Europe, Sopot blossomed into a spa town where visitors came for fresh sea air, mineral waters, and relaxation by the sea. Elegant villas were built among pine forests, promenades filled with summer visitors, and the town slowly grew into Poland’s most beloved coastal getaway.

Sopot

The symbol of the city is its famous wooden pier, stretching far into the Baltic Sea – one of the longest wooden piers in Europe. Standing there, looking out over the water, it’s easy to understand why generations of travellers have fallen in love with this place. Even though the Baltic Sea isn’t known for tropical temperatures (not my favourite sea at all), in late August it’s usually warm enough to enjoy the beach – and the atmosphere is simply wonderful.

But for cyclists, the real highlight is the coastal bike path that runs between Gdańsk and Sopot. I rode it once and still remember how beautiful it felt. Start in central Gdańsk and follow the bike paths north toward the coast. Soon you’ll join the coastal cycling route that runs through parks and along sandy beaches. The ride is smooth and scenic, with long stretches where you can see the Baltic Sea just beyond the dunes. After about an hour of easy riding, you’ll arrive in Sopot.

Park your bike and walk along the famous Sopot Pier, grab a coffee on the promenade, or simply sit by the beach and watch the waves roll in. When you’re ready, ride back the same way – sunset along the coast is often spectacular. It’s the perfect warm-up ride before the real adventure begins.

See You At The Start Line?

The Plum Ride will run for the first time in 2027 and it promises to be a journey through incredible landscapes, cultures, stories (and my favourite spirits, of course). But if you ask me, the adventure begins even before the first official pedal stroke. It begins in Gdańsk – a city where cycling feels natural, and where every journey seems to start with a little bit of magic in the air. And if you happen to see someone riding toward Sopot a day or two before the tour begins… well, there’s a good chance it might be me.

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Masoud Riyazati is the Content Creator on the 2026 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

For cycling in Africa you need three hands: two to hold the handlebars and one to wave at people. Kids, elders, men, women — everyone waves.

One of the most fascinating aspects of cycling here is the interaction with locals. It feels different from anywhere else. People want to know who you are, especially the children. The conversation almost always begins with the same question: “What’s my name?” — their way of asking your name. The next question is usually about our destination and when I say Cape Town, their eyes widen.

Sometimes I catch a small spark in them, something innocent and precious. It makes me wonder: what if that brief interaction plants a seed of possibility? Perhaps one day one of those children will remember this moment and think, I want to travel the world just like those strangers. Often the interaction is even simpler than that, just a cheerful “good morning,” even if it’s already afternoon or evening.

Most of the time we ride on the same main road that everyone else uses. There are no dedicated bike trails like in Europe or North America. That luxury does not exist here. At first it might sound like a disadvantage, but in reality it becomes a privilege. You share the road with everyone: trucks, motorcycles, rusty bikes, children walking to school, women carrying large baskets of goods on their heads. Sometimes you see a man standing by the road holding a big machete while casually eating bananas. When he notices you, he lifts the same hand holding the machete and waves with a big smile. It gives you goosebumps.

Then there are the three-wheel taxis — one of the most common forms of transportation here. Our tour assistant Will once described them perfectly: they move like headless chickens. No coordination, no awareness of what is happening around them. Here, very quickly you learn to adapt.

Out here you witness life directly — not through a screen or a staged scene. Cinema has trained us to see Africa as montage: dramatic landscapes, quick cuts, sweeping music. But Africa reveals itself differently, through daily labor and endurance. On Tour d’Afrique you experience this continent with your own eyes. No one is performing. No one is acting. Everything feels like a spontaneous gesture.

To be honest, it reminds me of the films of Abbas Kiarostami, the great Iranian filmmaker who rarely relied on staged or scripted scenes. His films are not performances; they are quiet portrayals of life as it unfolds. In one of his movies The Wind Will Carry Us, nature is the main protagonist, and the human characters shape themselves around it. The landscape carries the meaning. The hills do not explain themselves. The wind does not symbolize anything. It simply moves, and people move within it.

Out here the road feels the same. With every kilometre something shifts inside you. Slowly you begin to understand that you are not the centre of the frame. The landscape reminds you constantly that you are only passing through. Nature has been here long before you arrived, and it will remain long after you leave. In many parts of the world we believe we are the force of nature. We shape nature. Here that idea quickly fades. Nature does not negotiate. It simply decides.

One day, while we were cycling from Babati to Singida, we were caught in a massive rainstorm. Within minutes the road flooded and everything turned into water and mud. A few days later, on the first day we entered Malawi, we witnessed the force of nature again. The night before we arrived, heavy rain had fallen. As far as the eye could see, the land had turned into a lake. Houses were half underwater. People were sitting along the roadside, their farms drowned beneath the water.

And yet, in the middle of that flooded landscape, children were swimming in the muddy water — laughing, playing, waving at us, even inviting us to join them. You need to come here with an open mind and heart and leave your judgement behind in order to understand this life.

We are now in the fourth country of the Tour d’Afrique, and the journey still stretches far ahead. By now the riders and the team have begun to grow closer. Personal stories and struggles are shared more openly. Small riding groups have formed. Coke stops have become our rituals along the road. Conversations last deeper into the evening. And by now, I believe everyone finally knows everyone else’s name.

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After leading the Golden Buddha Ride participants from Hanoi to Bangkok this past fall and scouting new routes for us in Laos and China, Tour Leader Andreas Pakenham sat down with us to talk about what people can expect when cycling in China and Southeast Asia on our newest tour – The Road to Shangri-La.

How many times/how many countries have you visited now in Southeast Asia?

For TDA, I’ve traveled to SE Asia 7 times, and visited Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Can you describe the scouting/research you have done as we prepare for the first Road to Shangri-La tour?

Beginning in 2023, I revisited some of the planned routes which were shared with the Golden Buddha Ride, rechecking them by motorcycle and making some small changes in Vietnam and Laos. (In 2027, The Road to Shangri-La is replacing the Golden Buddha Ride on our tour calendar)

In 2025, we made further changes in Vietnam and significant changes in Laos, including an amazing stage which splits the day into two spectacular rides, separated by a boat ride of 7 km through a rugged limestone cave (See video below). I also had a chance to check the section of the tour through Yunnan, China. A lot has changed since the original scout in 2019. (The tour was first announced in August 2019)

What have been the biggest challenges to overcome in terms of route planning?

The biggest challenge in South East Asia is the pace of development. Car ownership is increasing and there are new factories, ports and gated communities. Largely, it’s made scouting a quiet route much more difficult, but at the same time it’s allowed me to discover truly special routes.

What are the roads like – especially in China. Is there a lot of traffic, a lot of scooters? Is it very urban or mostly rural?

The roads in China are fairly quiet for the most part. We’re lucky to be visiting one of the ‘slowest’ parts of the country from an economic perspective, so despite there being a few big factories along the way, we’re mostly able to skirt around businesses and industry.

What are 1 or 2 unexpected highlights riders can look forward to that you discovered during the tour?

The cave boat ride day in Laos I mentioned earlier is a highlight, not just for this tour. It’s a TDA scouting highlight for me (See Andreas’ video highlights from his scouting below). There’s always a special feeling to piece together an amazing ride in place of a monotonous one, but this one feels like putting the riders in a nature documentary half way through the stage.

Another highlight will be Northeastern Vietnam. Inadvertently, on the way to start scouting from the Laos border, we discovered some amazing roads through coffee plantations and dense jungle that ended up being more scenic and interesting than the planned route. After we realized this, we made our way back, and figured out how to roll that into the tour.

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The inaugural Tea Route Cycling Tour, crossing Southern India and circumnavigating Sri Lanka has finished. A few days ago we arrived on the outskirts of the Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo, and began to celebrate our adventure.

Henry and Tour Leader Ezhil at the finish line

To many of us, because the island is situated so close to India, the expectation was that we will be visiting a ‘Little India’. And though in certain aspects, that may be the case, the island is certainly not India.

Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon) was once visited by one of the most famous of all travellers, Marco Polo, who called it the finest island of its size. I have no idea how many islands Signore Polo visited and whether it was pure serendipity that brought him here, but he was obviously impressed. As were we.

Each day brought us a different taste of the island, and by this I don’t mean food, though there is plenty of that to sample as well. Every day we witnessed the lushness, the natural richness, the fauna and flora that was all around us. Every day, each and every one us had the opportunity for a random encounter with a local who would bring a smile to our faces.

For myself, it was an encounter with an older monk who was walking ahead of me during a rest day, holding a magnificent umbrella made, I believe he said, of palm leaves. I was admiring it from behind for a few minutes when he suddenly stopped, turned around, and started a conversation that went on for a while and included a discussion of the current state of the world.

Another day I was sitting on a bench waiting for a corn on the cob that I ordered from a vendor that I had spied as I cycled by. The corn wasn’t quite ready when a big, new 4×4 stopped to buy some corn. The person who ordered the corn from the vendor came over to me and said the Bishop of Mannar, a city to which I was heading, was inside the car and wanted to talk to me. I walked over and there in the front seat, wearing all the religious paraphernalia, was the bishop. He wanted to know what I and the other foreign cyclists that he had seen while driving were doing, where we came from, and so on. We had a lovely chat and he invited me to visit him at home. Before leaving he asked me if I was a Christian. I smiled and said, no, I am Jewish. He smiled back and said, well, then we are brothers. I smiled back and agreed.

Cricket with the locals

One day I had yet another brief encounter that brought a big smile to my face. I was cycling up a small hill and passed an older man, maybe as old as me or older still, on his single speed, rattling bicycle. Not long afterwards, he passed by, showing me exactly what he was made of. At the top of the hill he turned off the road, stopped, looked at me and smiled. I smiled back with a big grin. For a few seconds, we were brothers, doing the same thing. I write this simply to point out that every one of us had these kinds of serendipitous encounters, meetings that made us smile, laugh, and be happy about what we are doing on Serendib Island.

You will have noticed that I have used the word serendipity several times. That is because it comes from Serendib, the name Arab traders used for the island. Later, when the English arrived, they couldn’t believe their luck, thus the word serendipity. I could go on and on about how many ways Serendib or Sri Lanka, which apparently means resplendent island, surprised, pleased and otherwise welcomed us.

I will only point one more example. All of us had serendipitous encounters that made us smile but I think most of us were smiling each day for a different reason. Every day as I left the hotel for another day on two wheels, it wasn’t long before there would be a child, a teenager and elderly man or a woman, people in general, greeting me, smiling and waving at me. When I waved back, when I responded in any way, there was even a warmer reaction.

I have yet to visit a country where such brief interactions, particularly with children, brought so much joy to them and to me. If you ask me what the highlight of cycling in Sri Lanka was, I will quickly respond that it was the hundreds of children, women and men smiling at me as we exchanged brief acknowledgments of each other.

What a way to spend three weeks. I think I have developed many, many, more laugh lines.

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The road to The Road to Shangri-La, like the tour itself, has been full of unexpected twists and turns. Conceived in 2018, scouted in 2019 and planned for 2021, it was, like the rest of us, blindsided by the pandemic. Even once COVID started to loosen its grip on the world, China maintained a very strict quarantine policy which meant that a portion of the route was still unavailable in 2023. As a result, we rerouted the planned portion from Luang Prabang in Laos westward towards Thailand and renamed the tour the Golden Buddha Ride.

This proved to be a very successful tour according to rider reviews in both 2023 and 2025 but now that China has opened up to international tourism, we have decided to revert to the original concept for the route. What this means is that from Luang Prabang in Laos, where the original route deviates from the Golden Buddha Ride’s course, there are a number of exciting new highlights for the riders to experience.

Nam Ou River ride

The cyclists on the Road to Shangri-La will leave the spiritual mecca of Luang Prabang and spin north to the beautiful village of Nong Khiaw. Here they will leave their bikes for a  stunning boat ride up the Nam Ou River to Muang Khua. The journey passes through churning rapids and past isolated villages, all the while surrounded by spectacular limestone karst mountains and vast ancient forests.

Dien Bien Phu

The next day’s stage takes the riders to the historic city of Dien Bien Phu. It was here in 1954 that the Vietnamese defeated French troops in a battle that ended France’s colonial rule and led to increased American involvement that ultimately led to the Vietnam War. There are a number of sights to take in commemorating the battle including the Viet Minh Memorial and the Victory Museum.

Sapa

Sapa is located high up in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northern Vietnam. Surrounded by terraced rice fields, it offers up some stunning, if occasionally misty, views. On their rest day in town the riders can take a cable car up to the ‘Roof of Indochina’, Mount Fansipan. In addition, the area is home to some of the country’s fascinating hill tribes including the Hmong, Tay and Dao peoples.

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Once in China, the riders will be able to visit the incredible Yuanyang Rice Terraces. These fields, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, were carved into the sides of the mountains by the local Hani people, all the way from 100 -3000m above sea level. The views of the flooded fields reflecting the sky, the clouds and the sun is truly a unique experience.

Kunming

The capital of China’s Yunnan province, Kunming is known as the ‘Spring City’ due to its pleasant climate. Riders have a couple rest days here to prepare for the last push to Shangri-La. They can explore the city’s parks and temples, sample its signature dish, ‘Across The Bridge Noodles’ and explore the charming Flower & Bird Market.

Dali

Set at 1900 m between the Cang Shan Mountains and Erhai Lake, Dali was once a ‘de rigueur’ stop on the backpacker route through Asia. Famous for its gorgeous natural setting, it also boasts a walled old city featuring local Bai architecture and the striking Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple.

Lijiang

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang’s old town is a maze of narrow, cobblestoned alleys bracketed by ancient canals, colourful wooden doors and dazzling Naxi architecture. The city was also an important stop on the Tea Horse Road that linked China with Tibet and India, a trading route whose distant past can still be glimpsed in Lijiang’s Zhongi Market.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Tiger Leaping Gorge, said to be named after a tiger that escaped hunters by leaping across the Jinsha River, is one of the world’s deepest river canyons. The waters rush between the Jade Dragon and Haba Shan Mountains, 3900 m below their peaks creating an absolutely stunning tableau. The area is also home to the indigenous, matrilineal Nakhi people.

Shangri-La

Set at a breathless 3200 m and surrounded by the towering Shika Mountains, the last stop on this adventure is the Tibetan influenced town of Shangri-La. Buddhist prayer flags, butter tea and ancient monasteries all combine to evoke the vision captured in James Hilton’s book, Lost Horizon, the dream of the legendary destination of Shangri-La.

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Are you thinking about joining a TDA Global Cycling tour but have some questions about the experience? To help you out, we will be holding a live, online, general information session on Wednesday, March 11th at 13:00 EDT.

Moderator: Olha Kurochkina, Office Manager

Panelists:

• Michael Coo, Customer Service Manager
• Shanny Hill, Marketing Manager
• Miles MacDonald, Operations Manager

We’ll use this info session to share our years of experience and hopefully encourage you to join one of our upcoming adventures. Even if you aren’t planning to ride with us in the near future, this event will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the world of cycle tourism and TDA Global Cycling in particular.

If you couldn’t find the answers you were looking for on our FAQ page or in our TDA Starter Kit, this live, online event is the place to ask us anything – whether it’s about a specific tour, preparation, logistics, or cycle touring in general. You’re also welcome to submit questions beforehand to Olha at [email protected]. We’ll make sure they’re addressed during the session.

DETAILS

When: Wednesday, March 11th, starting at 13:00 (1:00 PM) EDT (Toronto/New York).

What: A brief introduction and overview of upcoming tours, followed by an open Q&A session.

Length: 30–45 minutes.

Who should attend: Anyone interested in joining a TDA tour.

Please click here to register. We will alert you shortly before the session starts and even if you aren’t available for the live event, a recording will be emailed to everyone who registers.

Register Now

Masoud Riyazati is the Content Creator on the 2026 Tour d’Afrique Cycling Expedition.

“The African roads do not care about your resume. You have two options: either soften your ego before coming to the tour, or let nature do it for you – the hard way.”

Why does someone decide to spend almost three months cycling across remote lands, fully aware of the discomfort, the fatigue, the exhaustion, and the uncertainty that to come? The answer does not arrive at the start line. It unfolds slowly, kilometre by kilometre.

Every rider comes with a different life story. Different reasons. Different expectations. Once the tour begins, however, those stories merge into a shared purpose: crossing Africa by bicycle, living by the rhythm of the road, confronting fears and limits together, and most importantly on this continent, surrendering to nature. It becomes a collective ritual, even if each rider experiences it privately.

Now let’s look at it from a different perspective. If leaving your house for a half-day ride with friends can be a bonding experience, what do we call months of riding together, eating three meals a day (plus all the snacks), and discussing everything from route strategy to the nuances of digestion and the condition of your bum after a long day? Each day holds moments of you at your best and at your worst. Fatigue exposes character and the heat tests your patience.

These trips push the group to communicate, to adapt, to engage. The relationships formed here often resemble siblings more than friends – brimming with intimacy, honesty, and the kind of unguardedness that daily life rarely permits. The bicycles are not the story. They are accelerators. They are tools of discovery, not just of landscapes and cultures, but of the inner self. Of the person who lives inside you.

Until we reach the finish line, we will face physical challenges and unpredictable conditions. Survival on a journey like this is not merely physical. It is mental. It is the ability to find meaning in repetition and joy in small victories. This is not a story about triumph in the conventional sense, nor about a neatly wrapped conclusion. It is an ongoing inquiry.

At the heart of every tour are the riders themselves. The ones who leave their comfortable homes, their families, and their routines to join an expedition of a lifetime. To cross a continent on two wheels. The demographic has its own story. Different professions, different pasts, different cultures, different personalities. Yet once on the road, categories disappear. The road does not care about your résumé. It does not care how much money you have or your level of education. You have two options: either soften your ego before coming to the tour, or let nature do it for you – the hard way.

With every TDA tour comes a team – steady and alert. On this one, Josiah carries the responsibility for more than forty lives. Carolina and Will keep the structure intact. Volker ensures the bikes remain reliable under harsh and uneven roads. Lotte monitors the physical wellbeing of each rider. Our local team members, James and John, feed us as if we were in a five-star restaurant, in a way that sometimes makes you forget you’re in the middle of nowhere. Edwin and Often – it’s hard to describe exactly what their role is. They are everywhere, doing everything.

Just as in Pasolini’s journeys through post-war Italy or in Walter Salles’ The Motorcycle Diaries, the journey does not simply take you across a place; it reshapes the traveler. Not until we are lost – not until we have, in some sense, lost the familiar world – do we begin to know where we stand and how deeply we are connected to everything around us.

The Tour d’Afrique has started and we are cycling across one of the most complex and extraordinary continents on the planet: Africa. And that is a story of a lifetime.

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Recently, one of our Tour Leaders, Sam, posted a reel about the most common concerns he hears from riders. The response was immediate. People wrote back saying, “That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking!”

As a result, we decided to expand on that conversation and reassure you that your dream trip is not as far away as it may feel. These concerns are incredibly common and almost every rider who joins their first big TDA cycling expedition has them in one form or another.

If we were to say just one thing, it would be this – You’re probably closer to joining us than you think. Sometimes the difference between ‘one day’ and ‘this year’ (or ‘maybe in a decade’) may be a few unanswered questions. Not fitness. Not gear. Not even time. Just those ‘what ifs’ that pop up the moment you start taking the idea seriously:

• What if I’m too slow?
• What if I get sick?
• What if the roads feel unsafe?

If you’ve had thoughts like that, you’re in very good company. Almost everyone does before their first big tour. So, let’s treat this like a little virtual therapy session. Imagine you’re in a cozy armchair, take a breath in… and out… and let’s talk through it.

“What if I’m too slow?”

This is the big one. A lot of people imagine a TDA tour is full of cyclists hammering all day, racing into camp, treating the ride like a competition. That’s not the culture. We care much more about determination than raw performance. Yes, it helps to train beforehand. You’ll enjoy yourself more if you arrive with some base fitness but once you’re out there, nobody’s handing out medals for the fastest rider. Some people roll into camp (or the hotel) early. Others take their time, stop for photos, enjoy the surroundings, and soak up the experience. Both are having exactly the trip they came for.

“What if I get sick?”

It’s a fair question. You’re travelling for weeks or months, your body is working hard, and you’re in unfamiliar places. Things happen. That’s why our tours are built with support, not just logistics. Every Expedition and Adventure tour includes a medic as part of the staff. If you need to rest, you can always ride in the support vehicle until you’re ready to get back on the bike. No one is expected to suffer through something alone just to ‘stay tough.’ Taking care of yourself – and doing it proactively – is part of doing this well.

“Will I get hit by a car?”

Let’s be honest: cycling on any road comes with risk. Pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone but there are also things we can control. We choose routes carefully. We scout them in advance and aim for the safest roads available. We talk a lot about visibility and awareness: flashing rear lights, bright clothing, riding predictably. And we’re realistic about the fact that in many countries, cyclists don’t automatically have priority. Sometimes the safest choice is simply to give space, slow down, and let traffic pass. And if a stretch of road ever feels overwhelming, you always have the option of riding in the support vehicle and skipping that segment.

>>Related Post: Thinking About Joining A TDA Tour But Not Quite Ready Yet?

There are also a few fears people don’t always say out loud. Some worries come up quietly, usually in emails or private conversations.

“What if I get lost?”

You won’t be navigating alone. There’s structure, daily briefings, staff support, and a group moving through each day together. We also use proven tools like Ride with GPS, and our sweep rider stays at the back of the group to make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. Our staff are always in communication, keeping track of where riders are throughout the day.

“What if I don’t fit in?”

Most riders show up not knowing anyone. It doesn’t stay that way for long. Shared effort builds community fast, and we’re proud of how many friendships begin on tour and last long after the ride ends. That said, every participant plays a role in making the group dynamic work – being respectful, supportive, and a good travel companion is part of expedition life.

>>Related Post: How To Be A Fantastic Roommate On A Cycling Tour

“What if I can’t do it?”

Almost everyone has that moment early on. And almost everyone ends up surprising themselves. That’s part of why people come. You don’t always know what you’re capable of until you’re out there doing it – and by the end of the tour, you may look back amazed at how far you’ve come.

The point isn’t to be fearless. The point is simply not to let fear make the decision for you. These concerns are normal. They’re common. And they’re exactly why TDA tours are designed the way they are: experienced staff, comprehensive preparation bulletins, pre-tour info sessions, vehicle backup, and decades of learning how to do this safely and well.

Your dream trip isn’t reserved for the toughest or the fastest riders. Sometimes it’s just waiting on the other side of a few honest questions and we’re always happy to talk them through with you.

If you have questions or concerns about joining one of our exciting tours, reach out anytime – we love helping riders take the first step.

Each January the New York Times puts out their ’52 Places To Go’ list. I have always enjoyed reading it. It’s a thoughtful list of the expected (Italy, California, Scandinavia) and unexpected (Armenia, Guyana, Algeria), destinations that inspire us to travel and explore our planet.

It’s very interesting to see which of those 52 are part of the cycling adventures that we run. You might have seen that we offer “tours in over 80 countries” (and we are getting closer to updating that to 90!) and just like the New York Times’ list, we have tours in both expected and unexpected places. The one thing we have always tried to do is take cyclists to destinations that are not your typical locations for bike travel and so we were excited to see that this year’s list highlights some of these unique and amazing destinations.

Here are 11 places where our tours intersect the New York Times list.

Warsaw, Poland

TDA’s tour: The Amber Route, starting July, 2027 in Tallinn, passes through Warsaw as the tour makes its way to Venice.

What the New York Times has to say:  “For decades, the Polish capital has been seen as pragmatic rather than magnetic. In 2026, it demands to be seen anew.”

We have a rest day in this historic city which carries special meaning for our Office Manger, Olha, who wrote about it last year. Her advice for your visit… “As you explore this remarkable city, take a moment to connect with the people who call it home. Walk the streets, bike the lanes and listen to their stories.”

Bangkok, Thailand

TDA’s tour: The Bamboo Road has a rest day in Bangkok in November of this year at the mid-point between Hanoi and Singapore.

What the New York Times has to say: “In the city centre, it’s now possible to walk between two central parks, Benjakitti and Lumphini, along a 20-acre green corridor featuring an array of sculptures.”

Many years ago, our founder, Henry Gold, did a photo walking tour of Bangkok and came up with some pretty interesting shots. Check it out.

Oran, Algeria

TDA’s tour: Road of Empires will arrive at the Port of Oran in March of 2027.

What the New York Times has to say: “As Algeria emerges as a tourist destination, Oran, a breezy Mediterranean port city, is experiencing a cultural revival that blends its layered past with a bold new energy. Known as the birthplace of rai, a genre of Algerian folk music from the 1920s, Oran is reclaiming its position as a hub for creativity and nightlife.”

While our time in Oran is brief (we have a lovely meal after disembarking from the ferry from Spain and are then are transported to Mostagenem where we begin pedalling along the coastline), we are so happy to see Algeria getting some well-deserved attention. We are always striving to find new destinations for cycling adventures and Algeria is certainly the one we are most excited about. We are the only bike tour company operating tours there as far as we know and to hear the New York Times declaring that Algeria is emerging as a tourist destination only validates what we already knew. Algeria is safe, the cycling is great, the Mediterranean views and green rolling hills are unexpected, the ruins of ancient empires are not to be missed, and the people are warm and welcoming.

Penang, Malaysia

TDA’s tour: The Bamboo Road reaches Penang in December of this year.

What the New York Times has to say: “A multicultural city rich in history celebrates its storied past…Its narrow streets are lined with Buddhist temples and mosques, British colonial mansions and the city’s famous shophouses — local businesses whose migrant Chinese and Indian proprietors lived upstairs.”

Just like Algeria, we suspect that Malaysia is a cycling destination soon to be on more people’s radar. We have been cycling there for over a decade and back in 2013, this is how Henry Gold described Georgetown (the main city on Penang Island) – “Georgetown is known as a place where the people that make up Malaysia; the Malay, Chinese, Indians, Tamils, expats and others, live, rub against each other and create a wonderful local mélange of culture and food.” Read more of Henry’s impressions here.

Nagasaki, Japan

TDA’s tour: The Journey to the East will begin the Japanese portion of the tour in this city in May of this year.

What the New York Times has to say: “Visit an 800-year-old camphor tree. Around the corner is Fukusaya, a confectionery that has sold cakes since 1624. Try a “milk seiki,” a frozen dessert drink, at Fujio. For nearly 40 years, Hideyuki Natsume — the soft-spoken son of atomic bomb survivors — has been running Milestone, a jazz bar.”

When Henry (he has written a lot about the destinations we visit if you haven’t already noticed!) visited the city, he stopped in to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and then practiced some shinrin-yoku in the forests around Nagasaki. Read his musings here.

Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan

TDA’s tour: The aptly named ‘Mountains and Meadows‘ section of our Silk Route tour takes us through parts of the Tien Shan mountains. The next Silk Route adventure is scheduled for 2027.

What the New York Times has to say: “The 1,243-mile Kyrgyz Nomad Trail crosses Kyrgyzstan in an east-west direction, winding through the rugged Tien Shan Mountains and along small villages and seasonal yurt camps. Attractions include glaciers; Kel Suu, a turquoise lake ringed by jagged cliffs; Tash Rabat, a preserved 15th-century caravansary; and Saimaluu Tash, a remote alpine valley featuring a large collection of petroglyphs.”

This region is truly stunning and if I could be transported to one spot on earth to go for a bike ride, it would probably be somewhere up there in those beautiful mountains. Wild horses, semi-nomadic families in their seasonal yurts, turquoise lakes under snowcapped mountains and creeks trickling and rivers rushing. We pedal some truly incredible and remote roads that are challenging but most definitely worth the effort.

Vietnam

TDA’s tour: The Bamboo Road begins in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, later this year.

What the New York Times has to say:  “Vietnam, a growing tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia, beckons to millions of vacationers annually with its famous food culture, staggering natural scenery — ranging from mountains to rainforests — and a storied history that dates to the seventh century B.C.”

We have developed a tried and true route through Vietnam that gives cyclists a good sense of the country – both on quiet backroads in the countryside, but also among the scooter and motorbike traffic in its towns and cities. Former Bamboo Road medic, Jill, wrote this comedic piece on learning to swim with the traffic flow.

Yunnan, China

TDA’s tour: We are very excited to add the Road to Shangri-La to our tour catalogue. The inaugural trip will start in January, 2027 and reach China’s Yunnan province in February of that year.

What the New York Times has to say:  “For well over a millennium, until the mid-20th century, a series of paths called the Tea Horse Road was used to export tea leaves to Tibet from China’s southern provinces. Many of these routes traced across the biodiverse region of Yunnan, which is considered tea’s birthplace and is still the main producer of China’s coveted pu-er variety. The network no longer exists as it once did, but many of the villages that were once its waypoints do.”

After many years of planning and waiting (thanks, COVID), we are ready to finally launch this tour, visiting legendary towns like Dali and Lijiang, that were once part of the Tea Horse Road.

Okinawa, Japan

TDA’s tour: Island Hopping Japan sets off in October, 2027 and will reach the finish line in Okinawa in late November of that year.

What the New York Times has to say:  “For centuries, Okinawa’s dazzling Shuri Castle was the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, whose territory included this 463-square-mile island about halfway between Taiwan and the rest of Japan. Distinct from other such buildings because of its vibrant red color, the hilltop citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site originally dating to the 13th century, is set to reopen in the fall after years of painstaking reconstruction using traditional methods, after a catastrophic fire in 2019.”

Here is how one rider described the tour on its inaugural voyage in 2025 – “The Island Hopping Japan Tour is a fabulous new tour – the variety of landscapes, challenging and remote cycling, wildlife and a great introduction to Japanese culture off the beaten track are just a few of the highlights. The ferry travel added another fun and interesting dimension.”

Rio Pastaza Watershed, Ecuador

TDA’s tour: The South American Epic that starts this June, passes through Ecuador in August.

What the New York Times has to say:  “Baños de Agua Santa, a town known as the “gateway to the Ecuadorean Amazon,” is surrounded by mountains that shed water into the Pastaza River. On those slopes, Dracula orchids, whose flowers resemble monkey faces, bloom in tropical forests swathed in clouds, living alongside spectacled bears and vibrantly patterned frogs.”

Arguably our most ambitious expedition, the South American Epic will again take cyclists across the entire continent and dip down from the Andes into the Amazon in places like Baños alongside Rio Pastaza. Pictured above, one of the 2024 participants, Neil, cycles out of Baños.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

TDA’s tour: The 2026 Tour d’Afrique is already underway but there is still time to join the 2027 edition.

What the New York Times has to say:  “The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northeastern Tanzania spanning highland plains,​​ savanna landscapes, woodlands and forests, has long drawn travelers to its spectacular crater, the world’s largest unbroken caldera, born from an ancient volcanic collapse. In March 2025, 17 southern white rhinos arrived from South Africa, part of efforts to expand the species’ range. For now, the rhinos remain in a temporary enclosure visible from the crater’s rim as they adjust to their new home, though they’ll eventually roam free in the crater, joining the black rhinos — as well as the lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo and flamingos.”

On their rest days in Arusha, Tanzania, participants on the Tour d’Afrique typically set out for safaris into Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. There is nothing quite like seeing a hippo or a giraffe or elephant up close!

We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us what destinations the NYT list missed and what destinations should TDA visit next?

The inaugural Tea Route Cycling Tour, which combines traversing Southern India and circling Sri Lanka, has arrived in Mahabalipuram – our last stop in India. This first section started in Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala and ended in this UNESCO World Heritage site in Tamil Nadu, one of the India’s famous tourist destinations. Soon, we will be on a plane to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This is my fourth visit to India, the most populous country in the world with almost 1.5 billion people and the largest democracy on the planet. As on each visit, I am left with a sense of wonder, puzzlement, exhilaration, and confusion, or to put it in other terms, bewildered.

This section gave the riders and I an opportunity to glance and taste the wonder of two Indian states – Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are different from each in language, size and a multitude of other ways but at the same time, in their diversity, they share the essence and core of what this country called India is. I write, glance and taste, because to discover the essence and core of India for foreigners like me would likely take a lifetime.

Tea plantation, Kerala

So, what would be the essence of India? If you start your visit in India with Kerala, then what strikes me is the cultural mix that exists because of the oceanic trade that existed there, from the times of King Solomon and possibly before, to this day. Waves of traders came from various distant lands – some stayed, brought their religions and culture, intermarried and, over millennia, have left their mark on the state.

The Brihadisvara Temple, locally known as Thanjavur Periya Kovil.

In Tamil Nadu what strikes me most is the spiritual heritage of India. On this tour, we had an opportunity to visit two remarkable sites, Thanjavur and the already mentioned Mahabalipuram. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both having arresting temples that are as impressive as any other UNESCO sites that I have visited, probably much more. Both have thousands of Indian visitors and pilgrims as well, of course, foreigners such as myself. Both are deeply rooted in the spiritual pantheon that is Hinduism, a religion that I can only wish I understood. Yet over one billion people have no problem comprehending and adhering to it. Both sites show artistic creativity that is simply other worldly.

However, the essence of India is most likely not these historic sites and temples. Instead it is the people we have encountered as we pedalled through small towns and villages, meandering among rice fields, plantations forests, vegetables gardens, tea stands, infinite numbers of motorcycles, cows and dogs and, yes, even piles of garbage, of which there are plenty. The warmth that these people have shown us everywhere we went, the welcome they continuously expressed, the willingness to assist and help, the curiosity they showed about us, that is what undoubtedly makes India unique. I imagine this is the result of ancient practices, traditions and the forces that act on a society made of billion and half of people sharing the same landmass. Whatever the reasons, we have enjoyed our stay.

And now, after a short flight, we go from a large subcontinent to a small island of less than 25 million people. What will we see and learn there?

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The Jaguar. A sacred figure in both Mayan and Aztec civilizations. A guide between worlds and a symbol of strength and power. Join us as we follow the historical path of this magnificent creature through the the verdant rainforests of Costa Rica to the golden beaches of El Salvador, from the smoking volcanoes of Guatemala to the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico.

We invite you to join us on us on our newest cycling adventure: The Path of The Jaguar, a 6 week, 3,175 km exploration of Central America’s Mayan & Aztec heritage. In November, 2027, this cultural pilgrimage will take riders through 6 fascinating countries: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala & Mexico. From the misty rainforests of Monteverde to the bustling streets of Mexico City, the cyclists will discover, not only traces of the Aztec and Mayan past, but also the vibrant cultures of the present.

>>Related: Click here for dates, prices and full details

Riders will marvel at smoking volcanoes, vast emerald rainforests and colourful wildlife. They will wander through ancient ruins and charming colonial streets. Participants will sample some of the world’s great foods, from the pupusas of Nicaragua and El Salvador to the chuchitos of Guatemala and the moles and tacos of Mexico. Rest days allow the cyclists to explore the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the political street art of Oaxaca, the Spanish architecture of Granada and Antigua, and the markets and churches of San Cristobal de las Casa. The Path of the Jaguar will reward them with a sense of history and culture, both past and present.

Building on the knowledge and experience we’ve gained from running our North American Epic and other Central American tours, this unique tour will avoid the toughest off road routes, instead sticking to quiet, secondary roads wherever possible. The route is over 90% paved and averages just over 1000m climbing per day, with very few kilometres on major highways.

Registration is now open. Our inaugural trips tend to sell out. Don’t miss this one!

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It has been just over a month since the cyclists on the 2025 Golden Buddha Ride arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the end of their 7 week, 4145 km journey across Vietnam, Laos & Thailand. Let’s see what thye thought of their Southeast Asian experience…

Note: In 2027, the Golden Buddha Ride will be replaced by the The Road to Shangri-La Cycling Tour, which was the original idea before the COVID pandemic forced us to change our plans. 

“The tour exceeded my expectations. We were able to visit remote areas, and truly experience how locals lived. If you’re looking for five star hotels and Michelin star meals this tour is not for you. If you’re hoping to experience authentic real life villages and diverse meals as well as build up your resilience and endurance this would definitely be a company to explore further.” – Marcy Mintz (Canada)

“Total experience was amazing. All kids along the roads. All smiling people. All my riding buddy’s. All in the team. All of this is🥰🥰.” – Bo Fagergren (Sweden)

“A wonderful tour made even better by great staff. Because we were such a small group the staff members were much more visible and played a much bigger role in determining the atmosphere of the trip. Their seamless running of the tour, relentless cheerfulness and the fact that they really seemed to be enjoying themselves made them perfect travelling companions. Not just staff but great people to be around.” – Karl Siebert (Australia)

“The Golden Buddha Ride was my first TDA tour and it greatly exceeded my expectations. The TDA staff and fellow riders made this tour a very positive experience. I didn’t know anyone prior to starting the tour, but now I’ve made cherished friendships.” – Martha Valois (Canada)

“This type of trip allows tourists like us to experience the way of life in the countries we visit, to connect with their inhabitants, all while cycling safely and supported by a fantastic team.” – Robert Charbonneau (Canada)

“This was my third tour in Asia with TDA, and it was a great way to see Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. A very collegial group of riders with excellent leadership and support from the entire staff, both permanent and local for each of the three countries.” – Bill Wilson (Canada)

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