Carolina Ceravolo

There are many things I love about my job, but my favorite is to dive deep in the route to learn all about its features, profile, geographical and historical facts, and to reunite with the team and riders to explore the journey together. All of us are very privileged to be able to explore the world at the pace of a bicycle; to really be present and see, feel, hear and smell all the environments we are cycling through. I love to keep the riders focused on their journey, motivating them to see the magic and the beauty of what we have the opportunity to be doing. I like to be the bridge to their experience, helping them face the challenges and persevere.

I currently live in Belgium. I have been traveling through all hidden corners of the American continent and Europe for the last 10 years where I learnt about its history and culture. I'm a certified nature and history guide in Mexico, specialized in Mayan History. I'm also a technical cave diver and worked with cave exploration in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, where I lived for 9 years. Here I developed skills in safety and risk management, which is one of my favorite aspects of the job as a tour leader: to be able to foresee hazards and plan ways to mitigate them.

Cycling is my favorite thing to do, so in 2017 I did a solo self supported bike trip for 4 months from Mexico to Brazil. This was when I decided to change the course of my career from guiding nature and cave diving tours to working with cycling tour companies, realizing I could transfer my skills in safety and risk assessment from cave diving into leading cycling tours/expeditions.

My tip for cyclists joining our tours is to trully allow yourself to be out of your comfort zone and to enjoy being there. Traveling by bike is physically challenging, but having a strong, open and adventurous mind is what you need to take the most out of it. Learn to appreciate the differences. To think as a group and to be realistic about what crossing a country - or a few of them - by bicycle implies. It's a unique and a massive achievement for everyone involved in it, don't forget that! Have fun, and smile always.

Christopher Thompson

Malcolm Juring

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.

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!

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!

Joanna Jaworska

I'm 66 and live in Warsaw, Poland. Until a few yours ago I've been very active in business (running my own company and our horse ranch). Then my kids took the duties over from me and now I have more time for me and my sports activities. A few years ago I started to bike. I have done a few MTB biking trips in the mountains of Portugal, Austria and Albania. Within the last 3 years I’ve been bike touring in Norway, Scotland, Spain and Corsica. 2022 I participated in the New Zealand sections of TransOceania and recently in the full tour of Journey to the East - it’s been great!

THOMAS GIBSON

I'm mostly a mountain biker, but enjoy long distance road biking. Living in the mountains of Colorado.

Max D

I enjoy biking "not too fast", and stopping a lot for snacks and photos. I've organized a fair number of DIY one-week bike trips with friends (in the past few years: Northern California, Washington DC->Pittsburgh, and Berlin->Copenhagen), but I'm looking forward to joining something much longer and more adventurous. I recently shifted from a large company to working for myself, and one of the benefits is a bit more schedule flexibility... edit: I've now gone on two TdA tours, the first month of the 2022 Bamboo Road (Vietnam and Cambodia), and Journey to the East in 2023 and had a great time. I'm thinking about joining another one in 2025 or 2026, TBD.

Leah Jay

Glen Greedy

Bruce Lawson

Greeting. I'm Canadian, born & raised in Toronto. Until recently, I led a private charitable foundation in the area of career development and employment for young Canadians from coast to coast to coast; we also have a particular focus on working with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. I have participated on Pub Ride and Journey to the East ... looking forward to cycling on the Elephant Highway!

Tomas Gold

Miriam Gold

I have been on a number of TDA bicycling trips, and I am really looking forward to going on the Journey to the East. We had originally been signed up for that trip for April, 2020, but you all know how that ended! I have been to both S. Korea and Japan, more than 25 years ago. I am interested to see how things have changed. Looking forward to biking with everyone.

Jonathan Atkins

I am engineer from Toronto-always keen to travel and be active. Skiing, sailing and cycling & golf in no particular order would be top of the list. I loved the Hippe trail trip a few years ago and I'm looking forward to my next trip in 2023

Melissa Morse

I have settled in Houston, Texas after living overseas for most of my adult life. Originally from suburban New Jersey, I headed to the Rocky Mountains for college and stayed a while to enjoy all the healthy living. I enjoy traveling on a bicycle; it provides more opportunity to interact with people, to smell the aromas and feel the elements, and it's a great way to burn enough calories to enjoy the flavors along the way. I have been on some long rides across the USA, Europe, and Asia, but have been less active during the past two years of COVID restrictions, so I am challenging myself to get back into shape with this Journey to the East ride as my reward. On, on!

Elizabeth Feit

Currently based in Florida USA, and enjoying the road biking here . The winds are our hills...I am always up for a distance riding, and the Korea/Japan tour with TDA looks like the perfect challenge...

Paul Holbrook

Retired last year and celebrated by cycling Coast to Coast across America with 3 friends. This will be my first TDA trip and am very much looking forward to exploring more of Japan which I visited many times on business but unfortunately didn't see much of the country apart from Tokyo. Excited about meeting and riding with you all.

Jackie Silverberg

I’m a retired high school teacher . Im very fit and love riding my bike . I have done a few vehicle supported trips . I have ridden in Patagonia , the Atlas Mountains , Rwanda and Uganda , Laos, Thailand ,and Borneo .Road Egypt and Sudan., southern US and Transoceania with TDA

Lee Taylor

I am retired in Tucson, Arizona, in theprocessofmovingtoThailand, and have been a bicycle tourist for the last 25 years or so. I road bike, mountain bike, and try to get in a tour each year. I have toured South America, Vietnam, Singapore to Thailand, Japan. At home rode the Great Divide Trail and Northern Tier among others. Normally I tour with friends self supported. The last five years I have done four supported tours. Did the last section of the North American Epic in December 2019, Tour de Europa, Slovenia to Barcelona, NAE, Puerto Vallarta to Nicaragua, and Journey to the East

Heather Sia

This will be my first TDA tour but I am really looking forward to the challenge. I love cycling and have lived in Japan previously, so this seemed a perfect match!

Michel Bee

Geophysicist, cyclist, hiker. I am retired in Bend, Oregon, where there are many opportunities for outdoor activities.

John Benoit

Cycling is life and life is cycling! Recently retired and ecstatic to have time to feed my passion: exploring the world from the saddle of my bike. Now with the TdA Bamboo Road under my belt, I'm looking to continue my cycling explorations into the East,

Andrew Freeman

This will be my first visit to Asia--can't wait--and second TDA tour; rode Viva Italia 2022 (was great).

Bob Kieckhefer

Geophysicist, cyclist, swimmer. I currently live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where there are plenty of hills to climb. I rode Cairo to Babati plus Vic Falls to Cape Town in 2018/19/20 and look forward to completing the Babati-to-Vic-Falls portion.

David Jones

My wife and I are so excited to experience Japan with the TDA Team.

Mimi Jones

I am South African but live most of the year in Ontario, Canada. I love riding my mountain bike and do adventures such as TDA offers and 7 years ago I met the love of my life on the last leg of the Td'A East Africa. I've always been fascinated by Japan and am very excited for this next adventure with (now my husband) David, TDA and the fellow riders.

Nicholas Beardow

I have completed three TDA tours and loved all of them. Although I travelled extensively in South America, I have never cycled there, so this will be another new adventure. I live and work in Singapore.

Michael Marugg

I am a retired lawyer living in the Zurich area when I'm not on a short or long distance bike tour.

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

Marie-Josée Vasseur

Bob Peltzer

I am a 71 year old, avid 4 season cyclist who loves cycle touring. Retiring in 2014 I rediscovered my love of bicycling and have since done two cross continent tours, one across the USA and one across Australia and with TdA in 2021 on their Trans Europa. From my home near Eganville, Ontario, Canada I have some great cycling routes as well as some challenging hills to keep me in shape. There are also numerous bush trails and tracks that allow me to mountain bike with my dog, Rascal. When touring, I enjoy writing a daily blog at idoitoutdoors.com for friends and family to follow while I am on the road. I am a decent bicycle mechanic and general fixer of things.

Paul Forster

Peter Glasson

I have cycled, run, and tramped all my life. My first long ride was riding the length of New Zealand years ago self supported but raising money for CPR training equipment for the NZ Red Cross. Later I cycled from Vancouver to Calgary over those beautiful magnificent Rockies. I have mountain biked off road across Spain on the Via de la Plata. Also across Europe from the Atlantic to Belgrade on the EV6. Last year (2018), the moment I retired (!), I cycled 3,200 kms right around France (Vive la France! Wow!) . In 2019 I cycled with TDA from Tuktoyaktuk to Puerto Vallarta. I completed the Baja California and Central America cycle tor in 2022 and am looking forward to teh Journey to the East.

Neil Casson

A Brit "by passport" but with strong nomadic tendencies having spent the last 40 years overseas (Europe, SE Asia, Middle East, North & South America). A committed cyclist for the last 20 years and a TDA Alumnus, having completed the Bamboo Road in 2022 and Journey to the East in 2023.

Ronnie Mandowsky

It was great riding with TDA on the Hippie Trail and after touring Japan (without a bike) in 2017 I knew I wanted to come back and see this unique country and Korea the right way. Looking forward to a very special experience.

Volker Sydow

I am a German national living in the UK, having done most of my cycling in France. So, about time to expand my horizon and discovering the Far East. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Judith Gold

I am a casual cyclist, but I have been planning this trip for 20 years, ever since the first TDA ride. Finally, kids grown, retired, post COVID, and after riding half of the Great American Road Trip in 2021, and the full Bamboo Road in 2022, I feel ready to take this on (but not that ready). I am married to Gonzalo Pastor, who is also coming, and even less of a cyclist than me. So together with the sweep, we will be the last coming in, but hopefully always with a smile.

Gonzalo Pastor

Hi. I am a Peruvian economist. I am 65 years old. I am not a regular rider, but I like the experience when I do it.

Stephen Timms

Alan Cassady

Roger Hesford

Brian Rodgers

I'm more of a general adventurer than a hard core bicycle enthusiast even though I've ridden TDA's Tour d'Afrique, Orient Express, Silk Route, Hippie Trail and half of the Trans-Europa from Tallinn to Venice. It's been life changing. Thanks Henry and staff!

Stephane Lancereau

………………. but …..……….., also ………………!

Kelly McNamara

I have found riding a bike a great way to travel and see the world. There is no barrier between you and the environment, you see all the small things and of course you feel and smell everything. Tda has been my favorite company as the tours are longer and more independent.. It's addicting to fall into the day to day rhythm and routines. I just finished up the Viva Italia with my friend Chris Dean; whom I met on The Odyssey. I'm looking forward to the next big adventure on Trans-Europe.

Gerry van der weyden

Bicycle touring is the one thing I can't seem to get enough of. I'm looking forward to another tour with TDA.

LENORE LEWIS

Hi there I am a retired accountant from Montreal who took up cycling about 14 years ago. An Adventure Cycling Association trip in Utah was my first introduction to cycle touring and since then, I have had many adventures on bike exploring places near and far. After completing ACA’s leadership training course, my husband and I designed and led a couple of tours of our own. In 2019 we were fortunate to have completed TDA’s epic Tour d'Afrique prior to the travel coming to an abrupt halt. With life returning to something near normal we are looking forward to seeing more of the world once more on two wheels.

Amy Jenkins

I am so excited to join this ride! I have ridden in Italy, Spain, Croatia, Vietnam , Cambodia and across America. This is sure to be the coolest location yet! I am married and have 2 adult children, their spouses and a 6 year old grandson, all of whom are the light of my life! In addition to biking, I love everything outdoors including snow and water skiing and teach adaptive snow and waterskiing as well. Because I am retired, I spend my time volunteering for Hospice, for an adaptive sports program and at our local hospital with our therapy dog Mollie. Life is grand and I look forward to this wonderful adventure with all of you!

Barry Smith

I love to jump on my bicycle and explore different places, meet people, and experience new things. When not cycling, I'm generally planning our next adventure and dreaming of all the places we’ll visit next. We (myself and Penny Carmichael) look forward to getting to know everyone on this most excellent adventure!

Penny Carmichael

Todd Lloyd

Chris Dean

I have just completed the Viva Italia tour this year and am keen to come back and have another European adventure.

Becky Lewis

I live in Steamboat Springs, CO. I do lots of outside activities in this mountain town, including hiking, gravel and road biking, alpine skiing, x-country skiing, snow shoeing, landscaping, cooking/baking, and probably more I can't think of right now. I do a lot of volunteer work. I'm single and retired.

Jane Tagney

Chris Coggans

I think cycling is the perfect speed of travel. I have done several 1-week cycling trips, but nothing this long or with such consistent mileage each day, and so I’ll need to train for this. But what a great way to see these countries!

IAN BLOOMFIELD