Coby Werlin

Cycling, photographing, video-ing, and traveling -- what could be better?! I cherish the adventures that TDA has taken me on over the last few years, and am so thrilled to tell the stories of these rides. If you've been on a ride with myself or another content creator, you know that we need your help in telling these stories as a means to capture the essence of the ride, and as a memento for you to look back on. You may see me riding passenger in the support vehicle to shoot some cool videos tracking riders down the road, or popping out of the bushes to snap a candid shot, or (at times) riding alongside you. And, as always, I'll periodically ask some of you for short interviews to hear your thoughts on all of the good, bad and amazing aspects of the ride. See you on the road!

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

Coming from Victoria, BC I have been fortunate enough to join TDA on a number of tours over the last 5 years. The Bamboo Road in 2022 was my introduction to Southeast Asia and I can not recommend it enough. Kind locals, gorgeous and ever changing roadside scenery and truely delicous food; I am very excited to be making my way back on the Golden Buddha this year!

Max Cochran

Having been a mechanic for many years and on a TDA tour last year, I have noted a few common mechanical issues that riders encountered. Namely, cables, bearings and tires. Please check that your brake and shift cables are working smoothly, not frayed or rusty. Heck, just replace your cables before you leave, they are not expensive. Hubs and bottom brackets often need special parts and tools that are beyond the scope of my toolkit. I'll do what I can, but it is best if they are running well before you start off. Make sure your tires are good quality, in good condition and that the rim tapes are covering the spoke holes properly to avoid having to fix flats. I once again look forward to the sights, the food, the culture, the riding, but most of all, to getting out of the basement workshop and solving people's 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 super excited for this next trip and curious to meet everyone! Hasta luego!

Dehon Ninon Cedric Ainarime

Peter Cox

Retired Paediatric Critical Care MD; Worked with MSF and other NGOs since then. Rode Cairo to Cape Town 2019 Rode Trans Caucasus 2022

Marie-Josée Vasseur

Elaine Cox

This will be my third TDA tour and so far I have only been able to do sections of the tours due to time limits. I live in Toronto, love to travel and like the challenge of the riding and meeting new people on the TDA tours.

Raul Costa

I’m Raul from Lisbon, Portugal. After a 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. 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 5. Looking forward to S E Asia. C U all soon. Cheers. David.

Francine Plante

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

Omar Francone

Born and raised in Argentina. Performed undergrad studies in Argentina and grad studies in France and the US. Medical Science Scientist in Academia and Private sector. Recently retired from the biotech industry in Boston. Love and played many sports. First tour with TDA. Looking forward meeting everyone at the tour, have fun and memorable memories...!

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.

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.

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.

David Ross

I am 70 and semi-retired. Had a great trip with TDA Taiwan to Singapore before covid, Part of OrientExpress in 2022 and just finished Journey to the East

Michael Doucet

This will be my third TDA tour. I'm looking forward to the adventure with Jacqueline!

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.

Anne Thompson

Looking forward to this trip!

Geoffrey Kehr

Biography Geoff enjoyed a distinguished Aviation career spanning 34 year working in different locations across the globe. Having just retired from the big corporate DHL he now runs his own boutique aviation consultancy company in Dubai. Starting out with a first degree in Management Science, Geoff then went on to qualify as a Chartered Management Accountant. The qualifications helped provide a basis for his true passion; a career in Aviation management. Geoff’s first key role was to manage & grow DHL’s Middle East airline operation based in Bahrain. This was followed by assignments in Belgium and Germany before returning to the Middle East in 2022. Widowed with 2 grown up sons, Geoff resides in Bahrain & Dubai. International travel is firmly in Geoff’s blood. He has an insatiable wanderlust; always seeking new locations, cultures & experiences for adventure. This is combined with a passion for marathon running across the globe. Geoff is one of only 9000 elite marathon athletes in the world to have completed all 6 marathon majors. His running CV also includes the South Pole marathon and a half marathon in North Korea. Now looking forward to transitioning to a new passion for global cycling adventures.

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!

Jane Clark

Now that I have completed the Tour d'Afrique, I am looking forward to an adventure tour with hotel stays in Asia, another continent to be explored. After reaching Bangkok, I am plan to ride through Cambodia, then south to the island of Koh Samui to visit friends and explore the islands off Thailand's coast and possibly continue south to Malaysia and Singapore. Fingers crossed that it will all work out.

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.

David Stein

Ex nerd, now older and cantankerous. This is my second TDA trip -- I very much enjoyed the Great American Roadtrip in 2021

Alexandra Findlay

I love to travel and find new adventures. Looking forward to challenging myself, experiencing new places, meeting new people and seeing some amazing sites.

Rita Tellerman

Hi! My name is Rita and I am a retired Public Health Nutritionist living in New York City. I can’t wait for the next TDA adventure. Since I started cycling at 49 and doing lots of bike trips to see the world, , I have ALWAYS and continue to be the oldest woman on each and every tour. My message to anyone who might consider it a barrier… don’t … just do it and you’ll have the time of your life.

G. Michael Keltos

Aloha, Greetings from O'ahu. I am a retired educator/economic development consultant who has truly enjoyed riding around these beautiful islands over the last 34 years. I currently ride with the Hawai'i Bicycling League and the Tradewinds Cycling Team to stay active and to socialize with fellow riders. Although I have traveled to several cities in Southeast Asia, I look forward to seeing them and others from a whole new perspective on a bike while making new friends and seeing some fellow cyclists from my past two TDA tours: the Orient Express trip (Paris - Istanbul) in 2022 and this year's Trans-Europa (Tallinn - Gibraltar) tour. Having previously worked in a UN refugee resettlement camp for Southeast Asian "Boat People" I also look forward to reacquainting with the local cultures along the way. My previous two TDA rides were great, so I am back for more adventure with them. Mahalo Nui Loa,

Marco Panebianco

CIAO!

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling