Coby Werlin

I have been a Content Creator with TDA since 2019 and have loved every second of it! Cycling, photographing, video-ing, and traveling -- what could be better? I'm so excited to explore Korea & Japan this spring with you all! Due to the 2 Journey to the East's going on, I will be spending half of the tour with each group of riders to capture everyone's journey.

Andreas Pakenham

As a tour leader, I love the daily challenges, and ever changing worlds we are all so lucky to travel through. Getting a diverse group of cyclists, with different backgrounds, and goals across a continent is a rare thrill that makes life at home feel a bit pedestrian! The best feeling on tour is making a tough day go smoothly, and to surprise the riders with something unexpected or memorable along the way.

I live on the west coast of Canada, in Victoria, a quiet town which can seem like an extreme contrast to many of the places I tour with TDA. In the past I have done a number of solo cycling trips, as well as exploring by motorcycles when time was more limited. Over the years of travelling though, I've realized how much I enjoy the camaraderie of travelling with a group to share experiences and make memories with. My future goals for personal travel at the moment are a bit different, and are based around the sea. In the next couple years I want to go by boat to the extreme north of Canada, in the hopes of exploring places impossible to reach in any other manner.

It's hard to nail down a single memorable experience from all my trips with TDA, but I most often think back to the experiences of Central Asia, and discovering the beauty of the Pamir Mountains for the first time. At one particular high altitude camp in Tajikistan, I remember taking a hike with a group of riders up a steep 5000m peak adjacent to the camp. As we neared the top, we found ourselves unable to safely make it past 5000m due to a loose rock scramble for the last 20 meters. Disappointed, we turned around and witnessed a flock of Marco Polo Sheep running along the ridge just below us, making time before the sun set.

If I were to make a single suggestion to a future TDA rider, it would be to slow down, and keep a camera close at hand. The best stories at the end of the trip are not normally those of the speediest cyclist.

Rachel Vanderzwet

Joining the tour from Victoria, Canada I'm looking forward to getting back to travelling and encountering new experiences on the road. I have a background in hospitality and have been fortunate enough to join TDA on past tour segments. I can't wait to see what this tour has in store!

Max Cochran

This will be my first TDA tour, but I will bring nearly three decades of professional bike mechanic experience to the party. I look forward to the sights, the food, the culture, the riding, but most of all, to getting out of the basement workshop and solving peoples bike problems with a minimum of tools in the fresh air and sunshine (and occasional rain).

Samuel Covins

UK-based doctor working in emergency & expedition medicine and previous tour medic on the Tour d'Afrique. Looking forward to cycling around Asia with you all on the Trans Himalaya and Golden Buddha tours later this year!

Felice de Schutter

Hitchhiking through Argentina and Chile 6 years ago first inspired me to travel by bike. Meeting so many long-distance cyclists and listening to their stories I just couldn't help it but buy a bike for my own adventures. And once you start travelling by bike, you can never go back. The freedom it gives you, not having to wait for a bus but just hop on the bike, the perfect pace at which you move through the environment, fast enough to cover some distance, but slow enough to see everything, interacting with the locals whenever you like, occasionally stopping for delicious local meals, and in the evening, finding the most beautiful campspot for setting up the tent, it's unique. Not to forget just feeling good moving in the fresh air all day. Since I fell in love with bikepacking, I spend a couple of months every year on self-supported bikepacking trips. The Alps, Eastern Europe, Dolomites, Italy, and most recently I spent 6 months cycling all the way through Mexico from North to South. Before I started working with TDA, I guided MTB tours crossing the Alps, and, combining my degree in Psychology with my passion for the outdoors, I took troubled kids for month-long hiking trips through the German forests. I am convinced that being outside in nature, especially in combination with sports is the best way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Being confronted with and testing and overcoming your own limits each day inevitably leads you to become stronger. Share this experience with a like-minded, adventurous community like you meet with TDA, and the positive outcomes double. I'm already excited for this next TDA trip and curious to meet all the riders and crew :) Hasta luego!

Jim Harrison

I am a 68 year old retired family physician experienced with long distance, 1-3 month solo touring in the US and western Europe. I joined a great group to do the Bamboo Road in 2019. I have also traveled in SE Asia without a bicycle. I am looking forward to joining others on both the Odyssey and then on the Golden Buddha for further exploration of a fascinating parts of the planet in a fashion - bicycling- well suited to learning and enjoying whatever we encounter. I also look forward to time with fellow bicyclists and crew as we share experiences. I live in western Oregon, married 41 years to a lovely and loveable non-cyclist who doesn't mind that I do trips like this.

Peter Cox

Retired Paediatric Critical Care MD; Worked with MSF and other NGOs since then. Rode Cairo to Cape Town 2019

Marie-Josée Vasseur

Elaine Cox

Born and raised in Canada I travelled to parts of Africa while working as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Since marrying a South African (Pete) I have been lucky enough to make a number of trips to South Africa to visit family, cycle (we did the Cape Argus in 2018) and see a bit of the country and beyond. I am looking forward to exploring Africa on my bike!

Raul Costa

I’m Raul from Lisbon, Portugal. After an intense and fulfilling career in banking, I’ve retired in 2022 in order to enjoy life at a slower pace. Cycling different regions of the world is part of that plan. The Golden Buddha Ride is my first TDA tour. However cycling has been my main hobby since 2008. I’m looking forward to meeting all fellow riders.

Anthony Rock

I'm a Canadian-American and split my time between urban urban life Brooklyn, NY and on the Northumberland Strait in Atlantic Canada. The Golden Buddha will be my 5th ride with TDA.

David. ODonnell.

53yrs old, from Manchester UK. TDA tour no 4. Looking forward to Africa. C U all soon. Cheers. David.

Francine Plante

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ! On n’est pas à la plage...

Brigitte Oelert

I am married to Jürgen Willrodt and our first vacation 30 years ago was a bike tour through France. After our kids were grown, Jürgen convinced me to ride the Ruta Maya in Central America in 2015. It was my first TDA tour, which was tough but absolutely fantastic! The following year I cycled part of the Trans-Oceania Tour - from Auckland to Queenstown and in 2019 the first 4 weeks of the Trans-Himalaya Tour. Now I'm looking forward to cycling in Korea and Japan, to meet some friends and to eat the delicious food.

Omar Francone

Steve Rogers

I'm an active cyclist, always seeking new adventures. I lived/worked in SE Asia for 15 years and can't wait to finally cycle this special part of the world with TDA Global Cycling. Having thoroughly enjoyed the 2018 Pub Ride and 2019 Orient Express tour, I now look forward to the 2023 Golden Buddha Trip. Let's ride - 'eat, drink and be merry' - all the way!

Uwe Rydzek

Frank Wichlo

I have done 4 TDA trips and I plan to keep doing them as long as I am able, or the money runs out.

Jonathan Klein

I retired in 2012 after a thirty-four year career managing wilderness and recreation for the U.S. Forest Service. Now 71, I am attempting to shovel sand from the bottom of the hourglass back to the top, which, I've been told by several bike salesmen, can be accomplished by pushing pedals around in circles. If not pedaling, I'm paddling and have taken several trips via canoe or kayak to northern latitudes in Canada and Alaska. I reside in Montana with my sweet wife and a couple of cats.

Lloyd Ypma

Grant Mcintosh

Hi im a 64 yearold Farmer from Christchurch New Zealand. Enjoy cycling NZ cycle trails and have completed to Escape Adventures tours to Madagaser and China.Looking forward to the journey and challenge TDA cycle tour will bring.

John Hemmen

I have been an avid cyclist all my life and have done many tours on both road and mountain bikes. Cycling is simply the best way to travel through country, for it lends itself to a relaxed and visceral connection to the land and its people. I am a retired Emergency Physician and have done the Trans Europa, Odyssey, Pub Ride, and NAE tours previously with TDA.

Sabine Hoffmann

My husband and I live in Berlin and Italy with - sometimes - our two kids, who live actually in London and the US. We like to do sports of any kind and decided to do this bicycle trip for having fun, learn more about Italy and some nature experience. I don`t like social media, which does not mean that I am not a social person.

Kevin Hall

David Ross

I am 70 and semi-retired. Had a great trip with TDA Taiwan to Singapore before covid

Michael Doucet

This will be my second TDA tour, having done the Bangkok - Singapore portion of Bamboo Road. Looking forward to the adventure with my brother Paul and all the riders.

Paul Doucet

I look forward to meeting my fellow travellers/cyclists and sharing this trip with my younger brother Michael. This will be our second TDA trip together.

Alexandra Ruch

After having cycled the Tour d`Afrique 2018 and Hippie Trail & Canada 2019, I am Looking Forward to another Cycling Adventure, this time in Westafrica.

Yvonne Waalewijn

Nationality: Dutch Gender: Female Occupation: retired/dive instructor Passions:diving, biking, travelling the world and looking forward to another adventure

Anne Thompson

Looking forward to this trip!

Jennifer Wells

Geoffrey Kehr

Mark James

I have recently retired from corporate life and am looking forward to getting out and seeing more of the world than the office-airport-hotel-office hamster wheel I've been running on for the last 35 years!

Erin Ely

I'm 67 years old, and semi-retired. I'm new to cycling and just started road cycling in April of 2022. I've been wanting to go to Vietnam and Thailand for many years and this just looks like a wonderful way to experience these countries. I love folk art and all types of ethnic textiles. This will be my first tour ride like this. I'm excited and terrified at the same time! I live in Eugene, Oregon.

Jane Clark

I started serious cycling after years of mountaineering and rock climbing. I headed to Nova Scotia in the summer of 1985 with my Trek 520 and have been riding ever since -- racing, riding in the Dolomites over the Pyrenees and on to Mallorca, and leading bike tours are just a few highlights. But now that I am a retired teacher, I can return to international bike travel. After 35 years of cycling, I'm looking forward to something more challenging and extended, an epic adventure and Africa calls.

Karen Mazurek

I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband, Gordon. I am happiest outdoors hiking, biking and skiing. I love travel and believe there is no better way to experience another place than on foot or on a bike. Completed the Pub Ride in 2018 and loved it. Looking forward to another TDA adventure.

Gordon Mazurek

Completed the Pub Ride in 2018. Enjoy cycling and looking forward to experiencing SE Asia and meeting old and new TDA friends.

Chris Vaughan

Juergen Willrodt

I am 73 years old and have already participated in 10 TDA tours mainly as a sectional rider. I am married and happy father of three girls (42, 27 and 24) and grandfather of three grandchildren. I am partly retired working now just 1 or 2 days a week which gives me plenty of time to travel. I have studied physics and have a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics. I have been active in sports all my life and before I started doing cycling tours I have been active in Karate and participated in World Championships 1975 in Los Angeles and 1977 in Tokyo and became European Champion in 1977. You can find more information on my website.