"Go! Go! Go! This was the most amazing traveling experience I've had to date! The tour structure allowed me to feel safe as part of a big group whilst it also gave me freedom to decide how to go about my ride each day. Knowing that I could stop as many times as I wanted to engage with locals or go to an art gallery in the middle of the way without affecting other riders was absolutely liberating!”
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Journey to the East 2024
Journey to the East 2024
Cycle your way across two of the most dynamic countries of East Asia. From K-pop to Samurai to Sushi to Hot springs to Lonely mountain roads, an incredibly diverse range of experiences awaits!
RIDERS AND STAFF
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
Assistant Tour Leader
Seoul to Sapporo
Malcolm Juring
What I love most about being a Tour Leader is traveling the world, riding bikes, and meeting new and interesting people on every trip. What more could you ask for?
I started working at bike shops and as a bike courier while at university. The income from these jobs allowed me to plan my own cycling trips during school breaks. Following university, I spent two years working with an aid organization in Guinea, where I was surprised to see a TDA tour passing through rural West Africa. Several years and one pandemic later, I found myself guiding bike tours around the US, dreaming about even greater adventures.
One of my most memorable experiences from a TDA tour was in Tuktoyaktuk at the start of the North American Epic. I went for a swim in the Arctic Ocean and I remember thinking "Would I ever have this chance again?" But when I waded into the water, I realized something wasn't right: the water wasn't cold. It felt like a heated pool and it ended up being an unpleasant swim. My mind was occupied with what I had read about rising sea temperatures while every inch of my skin above water was attacked by mosquitoes. But I remember the visceral feeling of "so, this is what the Arctic Ocean really is."
My advice for anyone planning to join a TDA tour is to read a book, fiction or nonfiction, set in your tour's destination. Also, try learning a few phrases in the local language, and don't forget your towel!
Colleen Gordon
Assistant Tour Leader
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Tour Leader Trainee
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I'm 66 and live in Warsaw, Poland. Until a few years ago I've been very active in business (running my own company and our horse ranch). Then my kids took over my responsibilities and now I have more time for me and my sports activities. A few years ago I started to bike. I’ve done a few MTB biking trips in the mountains of Portugal, Austria and Albania and been bike touring in Norway, Scotland, Spain and Corsica. 2022 I participated in the New Zealand sections of TransOceania and 2023 in the full tour of Journey to the East - it’s been great!
THOMAS GIBSON
Rider
Seoul to Tokyo
I'm mostly a mountain biker, but enjoy long distance road biking. Living in the mountains of Colorado.
Max D
Just a guy who loves biking in nature, not fast, with plenty of stops for food and photos. Currently working as an engineering consultant in California with my own company, giving me some flexibility for longer vacation trips. Before 2022, I'd mostly gone on DIY 1-week bike tours, so I was apprehensive about being able to handle longer trips... but I joined the first month of the 2022 Bamboo Road (Vietnam and Cambodia), and the full Journey to the East in 2023 and had a great time on both. I'm considering joining the 2025 Madagascar, half of the 2025 Silk Route, or The Odyssey 2026.
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Leah Jay
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Glen Greedy
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Bruce Lawson
Rider
Seoul to Tokyo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Miriam Gold
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Tokyo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I’m a retired high school teacher . Im very fit and love riding my bike . I have ridden in Patagonia , the Atlas Mountains , Rwanda and Uganda , Laos, Thailand ,and Borneo .Road Egypt and Sudan., southern US and Transoceania , Japan and Korea 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
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Geophysicist, cyclist, hiker. I am retired in Bend, Oregon, where there are many opportunities for outdoor activities.
John Benoit
A traveler, a wanderer, a seeker of new vistas and experiences. Having retired from an international career, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to live, travel, and cycle in in many fabulous off-the-beaten path locations across Africa and Asia. Reviewing my cycling ‘been’ map there is a huge blank spot across the whole continent of South America. Having throughly enjoyed the Bamboo Road and the Journey to the East with TDA, the SAE is perfect next challenge in my cycling life. I’m so looking forward to taking on this challenge, meeting new friends and making new memories with old friends. ¡Arriba! ¡Vamos! And now I'm signed up for next year's Road of Empires. That should be an excellent adventure also. Happy trails!
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
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
Geophysicist, cyclist, swimmer. I currently live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where there are plenty of hills to climb. I rode Cairo to Cape Town in 2018/19/20/23 and several other TdA tours. I look forward to exploring Morocco!
David Jones
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
My wife and I are so excited to experience Japan with the TDA Team.
Mimi Jones
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I am a retired lawyer living in the Zurich area when I'm not on a short or long distance bike tour.
Henry Gold
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
Founder, TDA Global Cycling
Rider
Nagasaki to Tokyo
Marie-Josée Vasseur
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
Peter Glasson
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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.
Samuel Roy
Tour Leader
Seoul to Sapporo
I see bike touring as an opportunity to slow down and bring yourself back to the essential things in life. Food, water, shelter, love, connection, space in your heart, space in your mind, movement, exploration. I believe that travelling by bike is the best way to discover our beautiful planet because of the pace of travel. It's fast enough to cover ground and cross continents, as we do with TDA, but it's slow enough to be able to truly soak in the destination you're in and everything that comes with it. The vulnerability of being alone on a bike, dressed up in bright lycra in the middle of nowhere makes you approachable and sparks curiousness and interest in the locals you meet on the road. As a tour leader with TDA, I am grateful to have the opportunity to facilitate these experiences, moments and connections.
I'm originally from Montreal in Canada where I studied business and tourism, but I have recently moved to Barcelona where cycling is unreal, even over the winter months. For the past few years, my career has been a collection of different projects and opportunities such as working as a TV host back home in Quebec, guiding with TDA and other outdoors companies as well as running my own vanlife conversion business. I've always loved getting around on two wheels, for some years, my focus was to go as fast as I could while I raced Ironman triathlons as a semi-pro. Nowadays, I still enjoy riding my bike, but a little slower, and looking around much more.
My best memory on tour is without a doubt when both my parents joined the 2019 Tour d'Afrique as riders to cycle the last two sections of the tour, from Vic Falls to Cape Town. It was such a precious privilege to be on sweep duty and get to ride with both of them through the namibian dunes.
As a tip for future participants, I think the best mindset to come onto a tour with is one of gratitude. We are all so privileged, both staff and riders, to be on these trips that being grateful for this life we get to live is an attitude we must cultivate.
See you on the road!
Michael Coo
Office Support
Seoul to Busan
“Sitting around on Friday afternoons in the TDA office, drinking beers, gazing at the wall-sized world map and brainstorming new tour ideas.”
I rode the 2006 Tour d'Afrique and ended up chatting with Henry over dumplings in Chinatown about a job. Twelve years later, I'm still here, as Office Manager.
Working for TDA has given me the chance to make so many memories. On the third day cycling in the sand and rock on unmarked tracks in the Sudanese desert south of Wadi Halfa during the 2006 Tour d'Afrique, I remember stopping, exhausted and filthy. Looking around and thinking “What the hell am I doing here?”, but with a big grin on my face—a really big grin.
I also remember being in southeast Asia in 1990, watching from “the comfort of the bar"… as a bus bound for Singapore pulls in. A mad rush ensues. People throw their bags and children through the open windows and clamber into the door, all this as the bus backs into its parking spot. People wanting off the bus are forced to bash their way past the people forcing their way on. A polite Westerner (about 6'3", 220 pounds) makes a futile attempt to board. He is no match for the locals and as the bus pulls away, the bus door spits him out, pack and all.”
For me, the best part of the job is the unpredictability: phone calls in the middle of the night about lost riders, elephant attacks, missing passports and vehicles that can't be turned off for days on end. You just never know what's coming next.
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.
Michaela Pye
Newfoundlander who migrated to the mountains of Northern British Columbia. Over the past decade I've had lots of excellent times on my bike- across South America, Eastern Canada, and many bikepacking trips in the great northern part of Canada/Alaska! In the winters I work as a Ski Guide!
Mats Fredrix
I remember the first time I had tears of joy running down my cheeks on a descent. The day after I was screaming every syllable of 'Paradise by the Dashboard Lights' to endure the pains of a full day in the headwind. These might just be some of mine, but you'll experience plenty, beautifully weird 'joys of riding' of your own. When those happen, I'm your man. To tell your story, your adventure. Or you might just want a cool looking picture of you and some mountains. See you out there, Rouleurs!
Jordan Montroy
Bike Mechanic
Seoul to Sapporo
Hey, I’m Jordan, from Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. I’ve always had a love for bikes, all types old and new and also love fixing them especially old classics (despite them sometimes being a nightmare). Looking forward to meeting you all and having a great time on the tour.
Mitch Long
I am a retired emergency physician living in Ketchum/Sun Valley, Idaho. My wife and I have two kids, and after dropping our youngest off at college, we moved here so that we could have easy access to skiing, biking (both road and mountain), and hiking. My first taste of bike touring was when I joined a college buddy for just four days of his several month ride that went the length of the Mississippi River. I truly enjoyed the comaraderie and the travel. Seeing the countryside change fast enough to feel you were seeing new sights, but slowly enough to enjoy them seems the ideal way to explore; really looking forward to this first bike tour overseas on the Far East Tour.
Lizz Hale
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Avid cyclist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. This will be my third trip with TDA.
bo fagergren
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Borned -56. Swedish. Love family, wife and son. Love bicycles and cycling. Some says that I'm very social. Think I have quite easy to connect to other people.
Katherine Slotnick
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I am a retired public health nurse and live in Juneau, Alaska. I’ve done several TDA tours with my husband Neil.
Stephen (Neil) Slotnick
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Looking forward to slowly making my way across Korea and Japan (2024) and Morocco (2026) with a fabulous group of people.
Simon Lanyon
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Janice Lanyon
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Cycling tours are such a great way to travel and to meet and make friends. I am looking forward to the challenge of riding with TDA again.
Joseph Lee
I love to travel, and bicycle touring is my preferred way to see the world. This will be my first tour since Covid cancelled many plans. I’ve enjoyed 4 full TDA tours: Indian Adventure, Ruta Maya, Pub Ride, West Africa en Vélo. I’m excited to see Korea and more of Japan than Tokyo. I have travelled lots, but my list of places to visit never gets any shorter. I became a teacher, mainly because of the holidays, and I am now semi-retired, doing occasional teaching in between travels. Looking forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones. Now I need to get cycling again!
Rob Wright
Rider
Nagasaki to Tokyo
Having heard so many good things about TdA trips from Joe, Simon, Janice and Caroline - Nancy, Lisanne, Rob D. and I couldn't resist and are looking forward to sharing new adventures on our first TdA cycle, and meeting new friends.
Nancy Wright
Rider
Nagasaki to Tokyo
I am exciting to be travelling and cycling Japan. My husband, Rob, and I enjoy travelling by bike.. We look forward to riding with friends and making new friendships.
Frank Wichlo
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I have done 5 TDA trips and I plan to keep doing them as long as I am able, or the money runs out.
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Mike Jakeman
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Bike and travel.....it's a retirement thing.
Jeanine Hartnett
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
This will be my fifth TDA trip. I retired from a banking career in New York in 2016. I’ve done many other long distance cycling trips, including across the US in 2017.
Holger Keller
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
Working now for more than 30 years and need a rest
Michael Netzsch
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
I am happy that I can join another tour with TDA.
Cindy Pittman
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I'm from Calgary, Alberta and love riding my bike! I've been a *bit* obsessed with TDA since 2011 when an acquaintance completed tour d'Afrique - one day I will to. I loved the Hippie Trail trip that I completed with TDA in 2017! I look forward to meeting everyone and getting on the road!
edward sokol
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
retired, single worked 44 years in retail business, owned it for 30 years like cycling, hiking
Didier Muller
Soon retiring from corporate life , i enjoy riding almost daily and i am looking forward to enjoy traveling with my bike. ...Born in France , US Citizen and a Brazilian resident for a few years
Clement Lam
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
This is my Sixth time cyclo-touring with TDA. The other five times were portions of Orient Express (Vienna to Istanbul, 2007), Silk Road (Shanghai to Dushanbe, 2012), North American Epic (Anchorage to Fort St. John, 2015), Oh Canada (Winnipeg to Quebec City, 2017) and North American Epic (Tuktoyaktuk to Whitehorse) 2019. I enjoy travelling and cycling very much so TDA tours are perfect match. I look forward to meeting like-minded friends on this trip.
Ada Sans
Together with my husband herman I did several tours through Europe. Last year we did together cross America. It was a new experience for us cycling lonely roads . But we had a very nice group and looking back we are homesick of making such a tour. Because my husband has his 65 years birthday a diside to give him this present. We hope to see a lot of nice nature and animals. Off course we also looking forward to meet the group and have lots of fun together.
Herman Sans
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
A busy year. Fist we want to do the South Korea Japan tour and later this year italia. As long we feel strong enough to do this kind of tours we want to do this. It is very nice to see the world from your bike .
Margit Donhowe
Rider
Seoul to Tokyo
I live in Ketchum, Idaho and I love to be outdoors. I ski, bike, hike, backpack, canoe and paddle board. I am also an avid reader and traveler.
G. Michael Keltos
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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 35 years. I am currently a member of 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 Japan and briefly to South Korea, 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 three TDA tours: the Orient Express trip (Paris - Istanbul) in 2022 and two trips last year, the 2023 Trans-Europa (Tallinn - Gibraltar) tour. and the 2023 Golden Buddha (Ho Chi Minh City - Bangkok) tour. While living and working in Hawaii's diverse and multi-cultural communities for over 3 decades, I am somewhat acquainted with the various cuisines and cultural practices of the countries we'll be visiting. Moreover, I look forward to deepening my understanding and appreciation of the local cultures we'll be experiencing along the way. My previous three TDA tours were great, so I am back for more adventure with them. Mahalo Nui Loa,
Kristen Mueller
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I am based in London but originally from the west coast of the US. I am really looking forward to the views, meeting lots of new people, and sampling all the local food and wine. I can also promise to always say yes to finding some gelato :-)
Linda Reid
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
William Reid
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
Linda's husband. Old Sailor Woodworker
Lisanne Hill
Rider
Nagasaki to Tokyo
Rob Dowler
Rider
Nagasaki to Tokyo
I'm a semi-retired 66 year old from Toronto who spends winters teaching and riding on Zwift while dreaming of travel in far-off places. Since retiring, my partner Lisanne and I have enjoyed backpacking on the Great Divide and John Muir Trails, canoeing, trekking the 3 Passes in Nepal, hiking and climbing in Scotland, Norway and Switzerland. We look forward to hanging out with TDA riders on the Nagasaki to Tokyo section while soaking up the culture and scenery of this fascinating place.
Jane Bloodworth
Rider
Seoul to Tokyo
I live in Melbourne. I love cycling long distances with the assistance of TDA.
Rider
Seoul to Busan
Rachel Farr
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Per Sörner
Freelance engineer, musician and reality hacker from the Swedish west coast. Currently on an indefinite sabbatical to explore life more fully. I find expedition cycling a good way to practice living in the present, enjoy the "simple" downsized life, see the world, fill up with new impressions and stretch the edge of my comfort zone. Previous TdA experience: Hong Kong to Bangkok (Bamboo Road premiere 2013), Bali to Alice Springs (Trans-Oceania premiere 2014), Quito to Cusco (SAE 2015), Ulan Bator to Gorno-Altaysk (Silk Route 2016), Freetown to Cape Coast (West Africa en Vélo premiere 2018) and Kashmir to Kathmandu (Trans Himalaya premiere 2019). Now preparing for Journey to the East (2024).
Murray Beare
Rider
Tokyo to Sapporo
Rode from Tuk to Fort St John on the NA Epic 2109. Trans Caucuses late Summer 2022. I have never been on a TDA tour without camping so this is a great opportunity without a tent.
Volker Sydow
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Karin Lind Hansen
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I love travelling. I love biking. I love visiting new places. I have visited several places with TDA - but there are still places left to see, explore, and enjoy :)
Brian Rodgers
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
………………. but …..……….., also ………………!
Kelly McNamara
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Todd Lloyd
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Chris Coggans
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
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!
Joseph Louchheim
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I’ve been an avid cyclist for most of my life and enjoy adventure, new experiences and pushing my limits. The tour d’Afrique checks all those boxes. Having recently sold my business, packed my kids up for college, and gotten a big thumbs up from my wife, how could I say no! I am eager to explore Africa. And in my experience, there is no better way to really get to know the nooks and crannies of a place and its people then at ground level on a bike. When not out cycling, I work as a Paramedic for my local fire department and spend much of my free time in my cabinet shop building furniture.
Luke Louchheim
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Peter Hodges
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Kiwi who enjoys getting out and exploring. (tda veteran)
Catherine Hodges
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I love adventure in all its forms. I'm stoked to have another cycling trip to look forward to!
Brigitte Seum
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Denise Couillard
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Robert Couillard
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Xufeng(Gail) Cascketta
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
I am retired, and love to explore the world by cycling. Have done some self-supported tours. This will be my fifth cycling tour with TDA.
Dean Andrews
72 year old Australasian. Born NZ now reside on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia Likes - open spaces, natural wonders, cycling, golf, rugby union and watching sport in general, meeting new and interesting people, a good laugh, good food Looking forward to meeting you all and the challenge
jose andrews
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Vince Moores
I'm a semi retired entrepreneur, now running a Luxury Lodge in Te Arai, north of Auckland, New Zealand. I completed the TDA Tour D'Afrique 8 years ago and the Trans Europa ride last year. Looking forward to meeting fellow riders & tackling the challenging climbs on the Viva Italia !
Rider
Nagasaki to Sapporo
Lorelei Williams
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Retired from the financial industry. Now I spend my time watching the stock market and managing my money so I can afford these tours. Living the dream!
Patrick Wenning
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Sherry Paulsell
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Chris Brown
Rider
Seoul to Busan
Raj Hajela
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Casual cyclist who likes to ride to coffee shops. Easy going extrovert, interested in people and stories and not into speed, climbing, or gear talk. I have done a few easy, week-long tours, and enjoyed them thoroughly. The Journey To The East tour will be a real challenge for this weak and feeble human with a growing list of vices. This will be my first tour with TdA.
Patrice Rother
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Wes Rother
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Jane (Jenny) Walker
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
Peggy Schrieber
Rider
Seoul to Sapporo
“TDA allows you to really experience the cultures of other countries. I love especially going places where tourists don’t go along with the usual tourist sites. You meet people that become friends for life. Awesome!”
Shirley Frye (United States)
2018 Pub Ride
"The 2,900-kilometre ride across South Korea and Japan will take you through modern cities and over lonely mountain roads, past temples and World Heritage Sites."
OVERVIEW JOURNEY TO THE EAST 2024
- FULL TOUR
- SECTION 1
- SECTION 2
- SECTION 3
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- LAND OF MORNING CALM
- LAND OF THE RISING SUN
- WILD JAPAN
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- SEOUL TO BUSAN
- NAGASAKI TO TOKYO
- TOKYO TO SAPPORO
- MAY 7 TO JUN 19
- MAY 7 TO MAY 14
- MAY 18 TO JUN 1
- JUN 4 TO JUN 19
- USD 17900
- USD 4700
- USD 8500
- USD 9000
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
-
FULL TOUR
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- MAY 7 TO JUN 19
- 17900 USD
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
-
SECTION 1
- LAND OF MORNING CALM
- SEOUL TO BUSAN
- May 7 - May 14
- 4700 USD
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
-
SECTION 2
- LAND OF THE RISING SUN
- NAGASAKI TO TOKYO
- May 18 - Jun 1
- 8500 USD
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
-
SECTION 3
- WILD JAPAN
- TOKYO TO SAPPORO
- Jun 4 - Jun 19
- 9000 USD
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
ALL DEPARTURES
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- MAY 7 TO JUN 19
- MAY 7 TO JUN 19
- MAY 7 TO JUN 19
- USD 17900
- USD 18600
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
- LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
- SPACES AVAILABLE
-
2024
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- May 7 - Jun 19
- 17900 USD
- REGISTRATION CLOSED
-
2025
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- May 7 - Jun 19
- 18600 USD
- LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
-
2026
- JOURNEY TO THE EAST
- SEOUL TO SAPPORO
- May 7 - Jun 19
- SPACES AVAILABLE
Full tour and section dates listed are for first and last day of cycling. Prices based on double occupancy at majority of the hotels. Solo riders will be paired with another rider of the same gender at no additional charge. Accommodation the night before first cycling day and the night of last cycling day are included in entry fee. We advise booking at least 1 additional night at tour accommodation before the tour, to be able to attend rider briefing and have assistance from tour bike mechanic in setting up your bike.
Full entry fee payment is due 90 days before the tour start date. A registration fee of US$150 must first be paid to hold your place on the tour and is in addition to the entry fee listed above. Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. We recommend registering 4 - 6 months before the tour start date to take full advantage of our pre-tour support and information bulletins, but late registrations are possible when spaces are still available.
Flight from Busan to Fukuoka is not included in tour price. This flight will be booked by TDA, and the exact cost will be shared with registered riders closer to the tour.
Full tour entry fees will receive an early payment discount of US$300 if full payment is received 6 months before the start of the tour. Those coming for multiple sections get 10% off for 2 or more sections on the same tour (multiple section discount does not apply to full tour price). TDA alumni get special alumni discounts. Please contact our office for further details.
LATEST TOUR NEWS
The Seoul Of The City: My Return To Korea
"The times, they are a-changing..." - Bob Dylan I first visited Seoul, South Korea's capital, 41 years ago. It…
UPDATED May 9, 2024 BY Michael Coo
"Absolutely Fabulous!" - 2023 Journey To The East Riders Speak Out
Our two inaugural Journey to the East cycling tours arrived at the finish line in Sapporo, Japan just over…
UPDATED September 15, 2023 BY The TDA Team
Finding My Ikigai: Cycling In Japan
"Just possibly, Ikigai makes a Peter Pan of all of us. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.…
UPDATED July 26, 2023 BY Henry Gold
SIMILAR EXPERIENCES
Trans-Europa
TALLINN
TO GIBRALTAR
72 DAYS,
5,880 km
Pub Ride
DUBLIN
TO COPENHAGEN
35 DAYS,
2,580 km
Viva Italia
ROME
TO ROME
39 DAYS,
2,615 km
WANT TO TRY US OUT FOR FREE?
We welcome you to join us, free of charge, for up to three days on one of our tours in your area. An excellent chance to sample the TDA experience first hand without committing to a longer tour.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST RIDER DAYS