Emily Currie

“‘Happiness is only real when shared’: I think this counts for a whole spectrum of experiences and emotions—pain, hardship, excitement, joy, for instance—and explains why sharing an adventure or journey with a group makes it so very real!”

Who would have thought that growing up on a farm and a career in rural healthcare would prepare me for a job like my job at TDA? I always had the desire to travel and even though I thought working here would be too good to actually come true when I sent in my job application, here I am, six tours and 28 countries later. I’ve learned more about the world and myself then I ever expected.

With so many incredible memories—and so much food shared, so many friends made along the way—it will take me years to process everything I’ve experienced courtesy of TDA. Highlights of my travels so far include finishing the North American Epic (NAE) in Mexico City on the Day of the Dead, cycling Central Asia’s Pamir Highway, Abdul’s pilaf in the parking lot, Colombia, pan con chicharron, Patagonia, a massive thunder storm in Zambia, Hami melon, Madagascar, Samarkand, walnut and honey spread on fresh bread and topped with whipped yak cream, eaten in a warm yurt… and the list goes on! It’s amazing to realize that everything I experience with TDA will have an impact on my life long after these adventures are over.

One adventure I don’t expect to have again is the one I had in Mexico, when we discovered Hurricane Patricia was heading right straight at us. Monitoring the storm’s progress through the night—from stage 4 to stage 5—seemed so unreal. By 5:00 a.m., CNN was calling Patricia the strongest hurricane ever measured on planet earth. A few hours later, we loaded all bikes, riders, kit and crew onto an extra van and bus … and took off, tails between our legs, because Patricia was shaping up to be a beast! By nightfall we were safe and sound in the heart of tequila country, and, as Patricia lost most of her fury at landfall, the party at our lodgings ramped up.

There are so many wonderful aspects to working with TDA but key amongst them are travelling with purpose, meeting people from all over—and the food!

Yanez Novoa

Exited to be part of the team.

Shaik Baba

Baba is a maestro in the art of cycle maintenance. He has close to 20 years of experience in the industry along with 10 years of travelling the length and breath of the country on cycle trips and camps. India is a highly diversified country with many languages. With five spoken languages under his belt, Baba is an asset to have on the team. Baba is a very friendly team person and ever willing to help & contribute in all aspects.

Samuel Roy

Hi! I'm Sam from Canada. Very happy to be joining Journey To The East this year! This will be my second tour as staff with TDA after last year's amazing Tour d'Afrique. Looking forward to big climbs and good food in good company!;)

Katalin Rakoczi

Hi, Kata here from Budapest, Hungary. First time on a TDA tour, quite excited! I had been living in Japan for about 9 years and am very happy to visit again. It is nice to read how many of the participants are repeaters - a very good sign that we will have a great time.

Susanna Markoff

Travelling and exploring, meeting new people every day. That fully fills my life, give a smile for the day. I Keep enjoying of every moment. Every day is new adventure and together with people around me, we make it a perfect day. I have worked with tourism in different countries past 12 years and now felt love with cycling. Time to hit the roads by bicycle.

Brigitte Oelert

In 2015, my husband Jürgen convinced me to cycle the Ruta Maya in Central America. 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. After that I cycled in Nepal, Sikkim and Myanmar. Wonderful! That's why I wanted to do a part of the Trans-Himalaya (the first 4 weeks). Absolutely fantastic! Now I am looking forward to cycling in Korea and Japan. And I'm also looking forward to meeting some friends on this tour and finding new ones!

Bill Wilson

This will be my 10th 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, and the North American Epic . I retired four 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 traveling. I am looking forward to getting together with some old friends and making some new ones.

Michael Netzsch

I just finished the Transhimalaya. It was a great and enjoyable experience. I am sure that the Journey to the East will be just as well. I am looking forward to meeting you all in Seoul.

Holger Keller

Working now for more than 30 years and need a rest

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.

Jeanine Hartnett

I’ve loved Japan ever since I did Ironman Japan in 1994 and 1995 and had home-stays. So excited about going back. This will be my third TDA trip. I retired from a banking career in New York in 2016.

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.

David Freeman

I am a semi-retired lawyer living in Melbourne Australia. I have cycled all over the world including five tours with TDA but never in Japan. The opportunity in 2020 to cycle from Seoul to Sapporo is too good to miss and I am looking forward to that tour!

Walter Ott

I am 70, live in Switzerland and work still 1 day a week when I am not cycling or in vacation. Besides cycling and biking I like hiking, jogging and skiing. 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, their landscapes, culture, nature and towns/cities.

Glen Greedy

Leah Jay

Karen Mazurek

I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband, Gordon. I am happiest outdoors hiking, biking, skiing or kayaking. 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 Korea and Japan and meeting new TDA friends.

Yvonne Waalewijn

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

Marie-Josée Vasseur

Francine Plante

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

France Guérer

My two friends Francine and Marie-Josée are riding with TDA for a coupe of years. It was always a wish for me to join them.... When this tour came into their mailboxes, they just told me "send your reservation fee right now".... Since I am a docile woman, I did it without knowing what was the itinerary. Thanks to Francine for giving me the opportunity to join her.... and moreover, my sister will be of the group too.... The four of us are doing many activities together. See you soon!

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 .

Lyne Guérer

Richard Schingler

love to travel and see the world from the seat of a bicycle. This will be my fourth tour with TDA.

Maggie Williamson

Ever since reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry I've been intrigued by India; I can't imagine a better way to experience it than from the seat of a bicycle. I'm a casual cyclist who loves the challenge, peacefulness and simplicity of life on the road. Can't wait for the sights, sounds, smells and insane traffic of India!

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

Bernice Aebly

This is me having fun in Vermont. This will be my fifth time with TDA, Orient Express in 2018, Baja section of North American Tour, 2013; Australia 2104; and 2 month Silk Route in 2016. The draw for the Silk Route was going through Mongolia . This new tour in the Himalayas is an area that I have not travel to before. Looking forward to the experience and meeting up again with friends from past tours. Wow so excited, a space came available for Journey to the East 2, so here I go again. So many good friends to meet up with again and to enjoy Japan. See you all soon.

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 69 years old and have already participated in 8 TDA tours mainly as a sectional rider. I am married and happy father of three girls (39, 24 and 22) 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 75-year old semi-retired test pilot, still flying jets and instructing part-time at International Test Pilots School. I took up cycling when arthritis and a double hip replacement ended to my running career. Korea-Japan will be our ninth TDA trip - we (Ursula and I) did Africa in 2008 and we keep coming back for more, most recently the inaugural Trans-Himalaya - great way to see places we've not been before, always a good group of fellow riders, always well supported. To fellow participants in Journey to the East, we look forward to meeting you and to exploring what is new territory for us, and we're forward to again riding with old friends from previous TDA trips.

Ralph Monfort

I am 68, retired in 2001, and have completed four other TDA tours and 20+ other foreign bike tours.

Ursula Simpson

I am a retired database analyst. Enjoying life in Squamish, on Canada's West coast. Either hiking, biking or skiing, or entertaining my little grandson. 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