Lorna Eaton-Brown

Josiah Skeats

I was cycling through the breathtakingly high mountains of Tajikistan, overloaded with my tent and ten days of noodles and tuna, halfway through a three-year cycling expedition from England to Australia, when suddenly, a peloton of cyclists sped past in a cloud of dust and camaraderie. ‘Well, they’ve got the right idea,’ I thought to myself, as a lunch truck and bags van followed closely behind. It was my first encounter with TDA, and I applied to join the team as soon as I found Wi-Fi!

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to join many TDA adventures around the world and I love witnessing their transformative power. Aside from the drama of pedal strokes that shuffle across the map through varied and striking landscapes, even the most mundane and everyday tasks become thrilling moments of discovery. Going to bed at home is barely noteworthy, but on tour you might be pitching your tent to the cackle of distant hyenas or sleeping on the floor of a Japanese Ryokan. I forget most meals I eat at home but can still recall flavours and meals from several tours ago. Watching Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped summit turn pink at sunset is certainly the most scenic spot I’ve ever washed the dishes. On tour anything can happen next, and moments of magic are a daily event!

In between TDA tours, you may find me struggling to sit still at home in England’s Lake District, but more likely I’ll be out on a different adventure, whether by bike or by sailboat, on foot, on skis, or in a climbing harness.

My top tip for anyone embarking on a TDA tour would be to understand that it’s an expedition; at times, it will be uncomfortable, things will go wrong and there will be challenges that demand the right mindset. Believe it or not, these moments will form some of your proudest and fondest memories, and sources of great hilarity. ‘It will either be an experience or a story,’ as the saying goes.

On a more practical note, I would urge you to slow down and savour the experience of being on tour, because it will pass surprisingly quickly. It’s too easy to not stop and take a photo, to race past the coke stops, and to ignore the friendly local who wants to say Hi.

Cheers, and see you out there!

Haldun Ulkenli

Technician... In 2010, I worked for TDA on the Silk Road Turkey stage, in 2012 on An Indian Anventure and Silk Road Kyrgyzstan-Istanbul stage. I had taken a break from travelling by bicycle and while working as a technician in wind power plants, I looked at the rotating blades and thought that maybe if I looked carefully, I could understand the rotating parts (mechanics) of bicycles. I hope I will be able to understand bicycle mechanics during the tour, but don't trust me and break your bikes.

Coby Werlin

Cycling, photographing, video-ing, and traveling -- what could be better?! I cherish the many precious and unique experiences that these tours have unlocked for me over the years, so let's keep 'em coming! You might see me out on the road snapping pics, shooting a short rider interview at lunch, or editing on a rest day in the lobby. My goal is always to bring the tour to life through visual media -- to share with friends, family, and the greater TDA community, and as memories for riders to cherish for years to come. See you on the road!

Colleen Gordon

I just love Africa. I love introducing Africa to people that have never been here or have never done anything like this. You can just see their eyes open, and all of their prejudices drop as they ride through it. The bike is just such an amazing way to do it, I’ve done tours in the past where the passengers are in the vehicle with me, and it’s just not the same. [On a TDA tour] you stop at coke stops all the time, and are constantly interacting with your environment. You often rely on locals for something like water, that interaction is absolutely essential to the tours. In the end, it’s one giant road trip with people that become your family. I love camping. You get addicted to the camping lifestyle, to see the sunrise and sunset everyday. You’re in the mix, you’re hearing the hyena’s and the owls. The amount of times I’ve had elephants come through our campsites in Africa, it’s magic.

I have been leading tours in Africa for over a decade, but I started at TDA as a chef. I love shopping at local markets in Africa, the interactions with the mama’s, and just buying everything they’re selling in bulk.

I love the behind the scenes moments. Everything it takes to keep the show on the road. Trucks getting stuck, and us having to try and pull vehicles out with help from the locals and their tractors. I remember another time on the North American epic, on the Arctic section, we had such a hard time trying to source water, that we sent up the drone to find the local water tank in a little First Nations village. It’s stuff like that that I love, the behind-the-scenes challenges. I like the spontaneity, the natural chaos of Africa.

[As a tip for future participants of our expedition tours], get comfortable with all your camping gear. Set up your tent first, maybe even sleep in it for a night or two in your apartment. Test your mattress, take it up and down a couple of times, because you’ll be doing that a lot. People don’t always realise this. You’ll be coming into camp after a long ride, and having to set your tent up and then tearing it down again in the middle of the night, just day after day after day, it’s relentless. So packing well and being comfortable with your set-up is absolutely essential in my opinion.

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

Amy Clark

Charlene Cebryk

I love the outdoors, hiking, golf, camping, cycling, yoga and travelling. First TDA trip was Madagascar and now I'm "hooked"! As the 2020 South America I was booked on was Covid cancelled, I'm glad to have the chance to be able to give another trip a go now.

Padraig O Carroll

I am a retired professional with three children and five grandchildren. I want to participate on this trip to meet people who are motivated by a common sport and different cultural interests. My previous experience in this type of trip, although shorter, is that common challenges create an excellent environment for personal exchanges and building relationships. I am looking forward to this trip to challenge myself, to meet like minded people and discover a culture which I do not yet know or understand. I have already undertaken cycling trips, both accompanied, organized by different groups and self planned. The latter trips included planning, logistics and transport of my baggage.

Peter BOLAND

I'm retired, and love cycling. I've enjoyed riding across Australia and Canada, touring through Europe several times, and more recently riding from Cairo to Cape Town with TdA (2023). I'm looking forward to this next adventure as I'm sure it will be worlds apart from my previous riding experiences. I'm also looking forward to sharing the ride's challenges and highlights with like-minded pedal pushers.

Michael Netzsch

I am happy that I can join another tour with TDA.

Tony Watts

Catherine McDonald-Smith

This is my first TDA tour though my husband has been on a handful. For many years, Japan has been a draw for me and it looks like this is the year it will happen. I'm only doing the first section of the tour and then plan to explore a bit of Japan on my own. See you soon!

Justin Ripley

Soon.

Wendy McDonald

Holger Keller

This is my second tour to Japan with TDA and my third visit to Japan. I like the country, the people, their friendliness, and their respect for others. I am really looking forward to this tour.

Amanda Tucker

I did my first TDA tour in October-November 2025: Island Hopping Japan. It was an incredible experience, both for the riding and for the amazing new friends I made. I didn't really know what to expect on a TDA tour and the trip far exceeded my expectations. I was told by others that TDA is a kind of cult for lycra wearing addicts, and it must be true, as I signed up for this tour while about half-way through the tour I was on. Although it is still more than a year away, I'm already dreaming of TDA lunches in Tunisia and Algeria....

jeff cohen

avid cyclist who has lived in Spokane, WA. retired as a cardiology physician associate. have life long friends from the tda cycling group.

Judy Rendek

Looking forward to another TDA trip.

frank smith

This is a great chance to ride with some old Boet from the RSA.I have only been in this part of the country while travelling in a car so it will be great to slow down and see the area.

Craig Tingle

Looking forward to another trip with TDA and meeting up with my very old Canadian friend.

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. .

Barbara Greenwood

I love traveling by bicycle. Most of my bicycling adventures have been loaded - this will be a treat to travel unloaded. My biggest biking adventures have been: across the U.S., from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL, U.S. Pacific Coast from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, Great Ocean Road and Tasmania, Australia, Irelands Wild Atlantic Way, “End to End” (Land’s End, England to John o’Groats, Scotland, South Island of New Zealand.

Rod Pennington

Hi there fellow adventure travellers, looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you....let's go!

Corinne Pennington

Coffee first, then a few written pages, followed by breakfast before starting the day's ride. I am thankful to my dad, who took my training wheels off, pushing me forward with momentum and freedom I've never forgotten. I am grateful to be on yet another riding tour with my partner, Rod, and to enjoy the immersive experience of riding, eating leisurely at the lunch truck, and sitting under a few bamboo trees before peddling to the finish, where a cool, refreshing drink always awaits. Alumni 2011 India, Madagascar 2023. Morocco 2024, Japan 2025 and excited to join TDA and fellow riders in Hanoi for the 2026 Bamboo Road adventure!

Brenda Trenholme

I have a passion for most outdoor sports, especially in the mountains. I’m looking forward to exploring these countries with old cycling friends and staff and meeting new ones. By giving slideshows of my past cycling adventures, I have fundraised for a Canadian charity called the Kenya Education Endowment Fund. I’m considering creating a digital presentation of this ride as a fundraising enterprise. www.KenyaEducation.org

Jay Zammit

Retired. Live in Fernie, Canada with wife Deb. We ski in Winter; sail and bike in summer. Biked across Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania, SE Asia and others. First time on TDA Tour.

Debra Zammit

My husband and I have done a lot of bike packing including across Canada, the length of New Zealand and around Tasmania. We are excited to try a supported trip in the south of Japan!

Soren Schriver

Danish native, born 1956. Maried to Nina, who is riding Island too. 30 years mainly MTB riding. This will be my second TDA trip , first one was SILKROUTE 2023.We have biked many places in the world, the picture is taken in Georgia, Kaukasus mountains. Looking forward to ride with you all. I am still working, mainly as Chairman of a number of Danish companies and active investor. We have two children living close by, and four grandchildren. Søren

Nina Schriver

Ruth Storm

Joining the Tour d’Afrique in 2007 was the beginning of my love of cycle touring. Since, I’ve cycled independently in Europe, New Zealand, Middle East, North America, TDA Silk Road 2016, TDA Madagascar 2019 ,TDA Himalayas 2019 and North American Epic in 2022. I also sail, trek, climb and ski long distances and remotely. Looking forward to exploring with like-minded friends!

IAN TINGLE

I am 63 , retired and live in Hermanus, South Africa

Dan Kirby

This will be my 5th experience with TDA, and each has been better than the previous. Journey to the East last year exposed me to the wonders of Japan, and I'm anxiously looking forward to this next adventure there.

Stephen Williams

My initial TDA experience was the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul) in 2015. Many good friends made on that ride with whom connections have been maintained to this day. It's taken me 10 years to get the time, money and health/fitness aligned to do another TDA ride. The last component in particular has proved particularly challenging this 12 months or so. My background is living and/or working in cross-cultural contexts primarily in International Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Development. So the opportunity to immerse myself for the first time in the cultural experiences that Japan has to offer is a significant attraction of the ride. Looking forward to sharing a great experience with friends yet to be made.