Douglas Percival

There is a great sense of satisfaction seeing a Rider finishing their day with a smile on their face, and that Day by Day, we have Taken someone safely to a place on this planet that Most People will never see, and all whilst by Bicycle.

I am a South African that has lived a life of itchy travel feet, and found myself Living in Sweden. Being a passionate cyclist in my teenage years, my Bike Mechanic Brother, taught me to fix my own bicycles, a vital bit of knowledge not only for a teenager trying to save money on bike repairs, but how it would shape my working career.

I've worked in all corners of the Bike industry,... shops, import and distribution, race teams, and even now for the Swedish Cycling Federation, as well as personal Guiding for a huge mix of private clients. They have all added up into helping me grow my knowledge of a bicycle, and how I can make one operate even in the worst environments with rider abuse,....which then played into the hand of being a confident TDA mechanic.

Guiding and Leading Tours came organically through my knowledge of Traveling, mixed with my knowledge of fixing bikes, thrown into the pot of being a passionate cyclist, and large desire of being on the Move.... Quite a mix.

TDA tours have the ability to provide one with a gift. It is a gift that keeps on giving...and that is: just when you think you have seen it all, there is always something else to surprise you with! From sleeping inside the Great Wall of China, to swatting flies off your sandwich in 49celcius Australian outback, or watching stars in the Sudanese Sahara, to Sipping Expresso's in an Italian cafe. From the Orderly bike lanes of Denmark to the chaos of Freetown, Sierra Leone.... There is so much that happens daily!

For any future rider that is wondering how to make their experience better. Set your expectations reasonably, ask questions, And come prepared... and Know your equipment!

Know how your bike feels, make sure it has arrived on tour Fully serviced. Know how to put up your tent if you're not confident with it.

And Figure out your bag packing! I have watched too many people lose an hour of their precious day (and some everyday for 4 months).. because they don't have their equipment organized.

Cheers..and happy riding!

Özgür Karataş

“Working outdoors is phenomenal.”

When TDA need local support for translations in Turkey in 2014, I entered the picture. Before TDA, I lived year-round there, in Izmir. Now I live on the road eight months of the year; the rest of the time I’m in Turkey, either applying for visas or rock-climbing.

Sometimes on a tour our failures are as incredible as our successes. Being defeated as my tour attempted to climb a new route on Koca Sarp, a rocky mountain in central Anatolia, is an experience I’ll always remember.

I’ve seen so much of the world with TDA. My favourite place I’ve been so far is Meteora, Greece. Probably the greatest pleasure of cycle-touring for me is never spending more than two days in a row in the same spot.

Tim Millikin

I love travel and more importantly travel by bicycle. It brings the freedom and adventurous spirit that any other way of travelling cannot match. I love that I am able to share this with our guests and show them the world in the best possible way.

I currently live in Oxford, UK but have had a relatively nomadic lifestyle from my mid-twenties. Call it an early mid-life crisis! I am best known for a three-year, mostly solo, 46500km bike ride from Reading, UK to Reading, USA. It was truly transformative and gave me a motivation to pursue a life of travel and adventure. It also saw me leave my career in television for one in cycling, and I haven’t looked back. I have also written a book about this adventure, available in all good book stores!

TDA for me brings the beauty of bike travel with the ease of some support, but that does not mean it is easy. For me, my favourite days are the ones you will remember forever. The Blue Nile Gorge day in Ethiopia is a real stand out. Beautiful scenery and rough roads as you descend 1800m into the Blue Nile Gorge before then climbing 1800 back out of the Gorge on the same rough roads, with children running past you, cars honking, each rider riding their own battle against the gradient. The beer at the campsite on the top never tasted so good! Roads and stories like this happen on each and every TDA tour and that is what is so special. No matter where in the world you are going, you are going to have epic, mementos days.

My best tip for any future TDA rider is bring a positive attitude. It is the most important tool in your kit bag. This will keep the spirit of adventure burning throughout the tour, which can be up to five months for some. It will ensure you are able to see the beauty in the world around you even when you are tired. It will mean that the hard moments pass quickly and the memories will last a lifetime.

Ryan Rice

Is there a more challenging, charming, or humbling way to travel the World and discover it’s people and treasures? If there is, I haven’t come across it yet, and perhaps I wish not to. I have been a bicycle mechanic for over ten years and it has led me towards new adventures and friendships. Here’s to clean and lubed chains, straight wheels, and a comfy saddle! See you on the next adventure!

Adele Woodyard

Back on the road with TDA after a long COVID hiatus! Looking forward to getting this tour rolling with all the antics and adventures it may bring. See you in Seoul!

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.

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.

Catriona Kennedy

Mike and I have cycled from Istanbul to Beijing, Shanghai to Singapore, through India, Cartagena to Santiago and Brazil with TDA and done numerous cycling tours through Europe and across America. This trip through Seoul and Japan sounds fantastic and we're really looking forward to it.

Frieder Wolfart

After riding with TDA one and a half time the Silkroad, the Magical Madagaskar and the Himalaya Tour it's time for the next one to South Korea an Japan. For me Korea and Japan are totally unknown countries and it's time to change that. I am looking forward to meet some old friends again and to find some new ones.

Chris Wille

"The very core of man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun" Chris McCandless Into the Wild Extremely happy and grateful to have participated in and cycled the equivalent of twice around the world on some 10+ incredible TDA trips, Coast to coast, all EFI, on 6 of the worlds 7 continents. First rider to have completed all & of the TDA 7 Epics. Special thanks to the TDA and their amazing, dedicated staff for making such trips,. and the quote above, possible- there is an incredible amount of work that goes into scouting, logistics, bookings, vehicles, staffing food, etc etc. Nobody does it better than the TDA, No one runs tours like they do on roads less travelled. It's a wonderful lifestyle, Eat, Sleep and Ride. Learning lots every day from wherever we are on the planet. " The world is my classroom, I am it's student and class is in session" Thanks also to the many wonderful, strong willed fellow riders who have helped shape each unique journey and make it special. From ages 25 to 78, you are all very inspiring and show us what is possible, proving that age is just a number. Thanks also to my dedicated and understanding wife Linda. Together we started a charity in 2008, Bicycles for Humanity Victoria. Since inception we have collected, shipped and donated over 5500 good used bikes and spare parts to 3 African countries, Namibia, Uganda and Malawi. Our work continues, always collecting good used bikes and spare parts for the next container load.. It's a great way to give back and every donated bike helps change a life for the better. Our efforts are ongoing.

Yvonne Waalewijn

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

Wim Pauw

Born and raised in Utrecht ,NLD and moved to Canada in my early 20s. Have been living in Banff Alberta since 1971 and also have a residence in Scottsdale AZ. Me and my partner Nancy have travelled the world on our bicycles for the last 25 years but unfortunately she passed away July 2019 at a relatively young age (59). I promised her to keep on traveling with my bicycle so here I am doing another trip. Looking forwards to make new friends and enjoying life to it’s fullest .

Maggie Williamson

Cycling in Argentina and Chile, what a trip! This will be my most challenging journey yet … camping, gravel roads and climbing, looking forward to the challenge, exploring new countries and regions, and being on the road again.

Stacey Bailey Pauw

Hello All, I am fairly new to road cycling. I just started my fourth year and I can’t imagine traveling without a bike! My first TDA trip was the Trans Europa in 2020. Now I'm hooked, I love the TDA style of cycling. What I love most about traveling with my bicycle and TDA is that I meet locals who live off the beaten path in small villages. I also love tennis and hiking. My husband and I each brought two grown children from previous marriages, and we now have nine grandchildren. Although I spend a considerable amount of time traveling, I live in Banff, Canada, during the summer months and Arizona during the winter. I consider Arizona my home. My husband Wim and I look forward to meeting everyone! Cheers ~ Stacey

Walter Ott

I am 73, live in Switzerland and work voluntarily for the public energy commission of my home town and as elderly expert in climate and energy policy issues on the federal, cantonal and communal level in Switzerlad. Besides cycling and biking I like hiking, jogging and skiing. With Lilo my partner, I participate in the care of our three grandchildren (4, 7, 9 years old) whenever our daughter and her husband have need for it to match job and family needs. I know TDA from the TdA-Madagascar tour in 2017. Now I look forward to the Journey to the East to get to know South Korea and Japan.

David Ross

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

Rhonda Aliah

I am a veterinarian who loves adventure. I have always wanted to go on an extended bike ride and this tour seemed to fit the bill. I have ridden RAGBRAI and completed numerous long distance cycling events. I love to hike- trekking to the summit of Kilimanjaro and in Nepal. I love eco travel and have used my profession to enable me to work around the world. I have three adult children who encourage me to explore,travel and in the words of Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise- "To boldly go where "I " have never been before". First TDA tour was the Pub Ride and it was fabulous. Now I am hooked on cycle touring!

Maurice Efron

Looking forward to our 1st TDA tour with my wife , Fiona .

Lykke Thingmann Stead

Amateur cyclist. Have gotten really addicted to My bike

Fiona Efron

Bill Wilson

This will be my 12th trip with TDA, as I've previously ridden all or part of the Trans Europa, the Orient Express, the Hippie Trail, the Bamboo Road, Magical Madagascar, the Tour d'Afrique, the Trans Oceania, the Odyssey, the North American Epic, the South American Epic and the Great American Roadtrip . I retired eight years ago, after more than 35 years prosecuting criminal cases for the Ontario government, and spend the bulk of my time cycling, golfing, reading and travelling. I am looking forward to getting together with some old friends and making some new ones.

Greg Forst

Have been a cyclist since '92 doing a variety of things including commuting to work, week long rides, after work group rides and more recently longer duration rides including one across the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon of Canada. I enjoyed the challenges and scenery of the Outback and the terrain of New Zealand on the 2016 Trans Oceania tour. Rode the Bamboo trail and enjoyed it immensely. Had an overall good time on the Hippie Trail. The food was great and the whole experience was incredible.

Evelyn Holland

Really looking forward to this ride to an exotic locale! It will be wonderful to see some old friends, and meet some new ones!

Bob Jensen

I am a Calgary commercial lawyer who is semi-retired (will be fully retired when this trip starts). I enjoy reading (historical fiction), cycling, running, swimming, triathlons, racket sports, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, travelling (and what better way than by bike), and volunteering. Fondness for beer (part owner of a craft brewery) and fine wines, rum and whisky. I am married with two adult children and 2 dogs.

Kevin Jensen

I am 28 years old and I got into cycling to spend more time with my dad as he loves to go on rides. I have done a couple of long rides with him and cant wait to participate in a big ride like this one. I can't wait to see Japan.

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

Michael Fahy

I'm a 34 year old Irish man living in Sydney. I'm joining in on the first section of the Journey to the East and cant wait to take part. My dad is completing the whole cycle and looking forward to doing this alongside him. My cycling career is slim at best :) The longest tour I have done is from Christchurch to Queenstown in New Zealand. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Catharine Daly

After doing the Tour d'Afrique in 2014 I was hooked. I had to ride another. When the Journey to the East opened I knew that that was for me as I have never visited Korea or Japan....can't wait.

Dan Kirby

Journey to the East will be my 4th TDA adventure, and I'm looking forward to seeing another part of the globe that I haven't yet visited. As always there will be riders who I have met on other rides, so a chance to catch up with them while making new acquaintances. See you in Seoul!

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.

Michael Kennedy

This is my 8th TDA tour starting with the first TDA I have also done the first Silk Route, Bamboo Road, South American Epic, Carnival Cycling Expedition and Trans Himalaya as well as the second India Adventure/Hippy trail. I have also cycled across the US twice, Europe, eastern Australia and South America as well as numerous shorter tours around America, Europe and North Africa.

Rae Simpson

I'm a retired test pilot/engineer/other aviation things. I took up cycling when arthritis and a double hip replacement ended my running career. My wife, Ursula, and I have done a number of TDA trips starting with Africa in 2008, using them as our window to places we haven't been before. We've enjoyed every one. We only signed up for Morocco in 2022 after JTE was again delayed and we're looking to riding with some friends from previous trips as well as meeting new ones. After that, we're hoping that Shangri-La and JTE will be able to go in 2023.

Ursula Simpson

I am a retired database analyst. Enjoying life in Squamish, on Canada's West coast. Either hiking, biking, or skiing. Having fun with my two grandsons and one grand daughter or hanging out with friends. My husband Rae and I are seasoned riders with TdA. Tour d’Afrique in 2008, Rome in 2012, Bamboo Road in 2013 and Australia in 2014. New Zealand in 2016. The Magical Madagascar tour in 2017. Hippie trail in 2019 and The Himalayas in 2019. Morocco in 2022.