Monique Laflamme

george browes

A veteran rider ,eager to discover and learn about countries and cultures I have not previously experienced. Grateful to all at TDA for providing the adventure and opportunity.

Alex Klopfer

I live in Vancouver, I'm 73 ... will turn 74 on the trip. Looking forward to meeting everybody. Alex Klopfer

Judy Murphy

I'm retired after many years as an auditor for the State of Alaska. I been on 47 bicycle tours mostly in the United States, all in North America. They've varied from overnights to 8 week cross-country (USA) trips. Early trips were self-supported, but recent ones have almost all been supported. I look forward meeting new people, seeing new places, seeing some great new scenery, and to the challenge. "I'm not slow—I just enjoy the ride a lot longer than you." http://yehudamoon.com/20120328/

Maxime Drouin

Dear All: I've dream about this Africa bike trip for so many years ! I was part of the Silk Road expedition in 2008 ... and nothing has been the same since ! These expedition are just addictive - by far the best way to travel. I can't wait to meet you All - we will have so much FUN ! And sometimes ... little less fun ... goanna be challenging for sure - but it is all worth it. Cheers - Max

frank smith

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

Haley Elzen

Hi everyone! I will be the medic for 2013 NAE. I am a Registered Nurse and have worked as Ski/Bike Patroller in British Columbia for several years. I am an avid cross country cyclist, dabble in downhill and new to touring. I'm excited to hit the pavement and have been dreaming about cycling North America for some time now. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Jessica Wolf

Charlie Wolf

Like to ride a bike anywhere in the world. Recently retired but had to go back to work to get some rest. Looking forward to doing the tour with my daughter Jessica.

Andreas Pakenham

If doing this trip once has others questioning your sanity, doing it twice must confirm its missing. As this is my second time leading this wild, beautiful, and challenging trip, you could say I've fallen hard for the old trade route. My goals this time around, are getting fewer people lost, and finally discovering the fabled peanut butter merchants of Central Asia ;)

Aloysius Carlay

This is my fourth TDA tour - did North America, South America, and India. Looking forward to this part of the world and reuniting with some old friends from previous tours. I currently ride with a full carbon moutain bike setup w/ 29 inch wheels and 2.35/2.2 sized tires and a 1x11 setup. It worked really well in South America where there was a good combination of pavement and dirt/gravel roads. Expecting something similar with the Bamboo tour.

Alice Roest

This will be my fourth trip with TDA, since 2011. I have also done three self guided trips; Paris-Rome (2012), Barcelona-Lisbon (2014)and Amsterdam-Madrid (2016). Looking forward to this new adventure and meeting new like minded people.

Len Spratt

Hi, I live in Alberta and have travelled quite extensively by bike around the world. Currently riding for Kids With Cancer in Alberta and British Columbia.

Very excited to be Chef of this years North American Epic!

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.

Bob Tessier

In 2010 cross Canada, 2011 North American Epic and 2013 the new North American Epic I'm not a fast rider -

Brett Lanham

I’m an ex seafarer, retired now for 8 years, fortunate enough to have been able to get away on a bike tour with TdA every year since 2011, until 2020 that was! With COVID not sure when but registered to do the new finish to the Trans Europa in Gibraltar, the lap around Tasmania on the Trans Oceania and the Silk Route. I look forward to catching up with friends from past rides and meeting new ones and sharing these great adventures with a beer, or two.

Brian Fullerton

Have done several tda trips (mostly sections) and am excited about Helena to Moab. Even more excited about having a shiny new bike. The photo was taken during the West African trip not long before I fell in the ocean and ruined my phone, my gps, my pride and of course my bike.

Garis Alexander

I am retired, living in rural Victoria, Australia, and have toured Europe most years since 2007 on a bike, including the 2008 Orient Express. It is time to see the National Parks of North America.

Ian Tingle

Anchorage to Moab. This will be my first visit to North America. I am looking forward to the vastness and solitude of the experience. An added bonus is that I will be with my brother Craig, a TDA veteran. It will be great to be away from the salt mine for a while too!

Jacqueline Goodall

Cant wait to hit the road for another TDA Tour! Looking forward to seeing some old touring buddies and meeting some new ones. Wish I was joining you for the full tour, but feel very lucky to be able to get away from work for three sections.

John Waterhouse

This will be my eighth TDA tour. Obviously, I am an addict. Why do I enjoy it enough to keep coming back? The people, the sights, sounds and smells of distant lands, the food, the physical challenge and the comradery of touring.

Louise LEVITT

This will be my second adventure with TDA. It would be redundant to say I am looking forward to another great summer of cycling.

Marina Krilova

Having got to explore Alaska, Yukon down to Banff with the tour I knew I was hooked for life. People and places you get to meet, experiences you get to share change you. It was only a question of time before I cleared my schedule and packed the infamous duffles to hit the road! Can't wait to see some old friends and make new ones! Xoxo

Nina Gässler

A mountainbiker at heart I just love cycling and being outdoors. I've raced a lot of long distance races and done a few solo trips. I run a little fatbike guiding and rental business in Norway. I live in Norway and work as ski-instructor, fitness- and personal-trainer, fatbike- ski and snowshoe guide. The NAE 2013 was a life-changing experience. Loved it!

Nykänen Ilkka

Paul Davison

62 years old, retired engineer. Coming back for another instalment of South America. Not a fast rider, but a persistant one.

Rob Waghorn

I retired early and have enjoyed my bike riding a lot since then, so I am looking forward to another challenging trip. I have enjoyed riding long distance events for all my years of cycling. I have completed classics such as Land's End to John O'Groats in the UK and also various Audax events from 200K to 1400K. I have also raced in events of 12 & 24 Hours. In the last few years I have taken part in The Andes Trail and a journey across West Africa, both with another company similar to TDA. I did the North American Epic with TDA in 2013. Also Oh! Canada with TDA in 2017. In 2018 I rode from Lhasa to Timbuktu over The Himalayas with another cycle touring company based in the UK. So looking forward to meeting some more intrepid riders on the journey through Europe.

Stirling Lee

I probably like cycling more than cycling likes me. That means I will probably be at the rear of the group but I have completed every trip I have been on. I enjoy eating enormous amounts of food, cycling means I do not gain weight while eating. I also speak a little of any language in any part of the world we are likely to travel in.

Trina Prior

I live in Vancouver, British Columbia. I love to see the world from the view of my bike and have done several multi-day cycling trips including Kenya to Tanzania in 2007 and Alaska to Whitehorse in 2013 with TDA. I will be raising money for Cycle 4 Sam which supports Pediatric Palliative Care Service at the Adelaide Children's Hospital http://www.cycle4sam.com/ This will be my second long distance bike trip with my husband Peter Roberts Looking forward to Cycling with Vlad and the rest of the TDA riders.

Francine Plante

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

Marie-Christine Fleury

I am originally and live in Montreal, Canada. I crossed Canada in 2009 and I am very excited to take to road with all of you. See you in Anchorage !

Karine St-Jean

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Beate W

After finishing Tour d'Afrique in 2011 I postponed the 'bigger' tour plans year after year.... Will I be perfectly prepared? NEVER! Will I ever be ready for a new adventure? ALWAYS! And YES- I want to ride EFI ! Looking forward to the long days on the bike-exploring NA on a bicycle-and meeting all of you soon!

Viv Horton

I'm 70 and live in the South West of England. A happy veteran of Cairo to Capetown 2009, I look forward to meeting you all to share another epic. I hope there'll be Scrabble...

Rana Freedman

Tour d'Afrique 2009 alum. Lonely Planet staffer. Occaisonal writer. Slow but steady rider. Big eater.

Keith Hazeldine

I am 68, married 45 years to Ethel, with 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Retired engineer from Michelin Tire Corp. Snowbird: summer in Nova Scotia, winter in Florida. Kayak. Biked across Canada summer 2011. Sections 1-3 of TdA North American Epic 2015. Really looking forward to this major ride next spring.

Dan Squires

Having sampled TDA and the first three sections of the North American Epic I could not resist book ending it with the last 2 sections of the South American Epic. Look forward to seeing the crew again and meeting everyone else.

Philip Gordin

I am a 62 year old lawyer living in Toronto. My wife and I have 3 wonderful daughters. I was on on the original TDA trips about 10 years ago - Namibia to Capetown section - and it took this long to get another friend to agree to go on another one. I'm looking forward to a fun two weeks with all of you.

Morris Kansun

56 year old native of Toronto. Married with three children... I enjoy biking, and I love the southwest.... and adventure. Who knows, if things go well, I may just retire early and keep riding...

Manni W.

I am 54 years young, live at the Lake of Constance in Germany. This will be my first long bicycle tour.

Robert Fletcher

I belong to Edmonton Bike and Touring club and I have enjoyed past tours with TDA. Last year I did the French Connection and prior to that the India and NAE tours. I spent 30 years as an educator with Edmonton Public Schools. I also spent 2.5 years teaching in Australia. I have been retired for 19 years. I look forward to meeting everyone on this trip.

Wayne Grover

Turning 66 just days before the ride starts! (How did that happen!?). Bike touring enthusiast, Recently retired, (Prof. Emeritus (ECE), U. Alberta). TDA Alumni of NAE 2015, French Connection 2016, Oh Canada 2017. Took 2018 off from any long tours and looking forward to getting to know everyone on the Orient Express this summer.

Thomas Lais

I love to bike tour. I did the North America Tour and ThetourdeAfrique

volker ecke

76 years young, not bald as yet. Married to Heidi, a girl from the Rhineland, two children, daughter Petra, son Axel. 6 grandchildren, all of them normal but great. Born and bred in Germany, ja, ja, look like it, think like it, when I do. Work took me around Europe, New Zealand/Australia, Central Asia. We all live in Aussieland now. I am a mad cyclist, fascinated by it since age four, riding roadbike, 2 MTB, dual suspension and hardtail plus a comfy touring bike for when I am getting older. At present I am still keen to see, what's round the next corner. Been to 35 or so countries (not all on the bike) did the tour d"afrique this year and still can't get enough of it. The world is a wonderful place, see you out there.

Clement Lam

This is my Fifth time cyclo-touring with TDA. The other four 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) and Oh Canada (Winnipeg to Quebec City, 2017). I enjoy travelling and cycling very much so TDA tours are perfect match. I look forward to meeting like-minded friends on this trip.

Liam Stroud

Hey there! My name is Liam and I'm a 26 year old fella from Ottawa, Canada but currently living in New Zealand. This is my first season with Tour d'Afrique and I'm more than looking forward to getting started as one of your staff members. More specifically my primary role will be as the trip bike mechanic. I've worked in Canada and New Zealand as a cycle guide and mechanic for several years so I'm excited to continue the adventures by joining the Tour d'Afrique team and riding with you folks. See you there! Liam

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!

Roger Hesford

Hi i'm in my mid fifties, a keen, though average cyclist. I am looking forward to scenery on route and the challenge of completing a lengthy journey by bike.

Anne-Marie Adachi

I am originally from Newfoundland Canada, currently living in Edmonton Alberta Canada. I love cycling and I am the Touring Coordinator for the Edmonton Bicycling and Touring Club. I am excited about doing the first leg of the NAE Anchorage to Whitehorse. I have always wanted to see the Great Canadian North and can't think of a better way to do it than from the seat of my bike. I am also excited about doing this leg with 3 friends who are members of our club

Jacob Warner

Hi everyone, I will be helping out on the tour and occasionally riding a bike too. See you in Cartagena!

Michael Andersen

I am 42 years old. I live in East Timor with my wife and two kids. I like cruising around on my bike, but I'm built for comfort, not for speed! I like learning languages. 5 weeks through Mexico is going to be incredible. Hola!

Kelley Hale

Avid cyclist, photographer, and earth frolicker.

Lizz Hale

Avid cyclist from Santa Fe, New Mexico. This will be my second trip with TDA.

Bonny Fairweather

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Yanez Novoa

Exited to be part of the team.

Isabelle Roy

I canot held my self to go take a short ride with my UK friend who I cross Afrika with in 2009. See you all at the start of this epic tour.

Pascale Bilodeau

I just can't wait to be on the road again, but with another type of bike... I look forward meeting you all in Hanoï, to share good time and discover Asia.

Chris Bass

I'm 24 years old and from Toronto. Looking forward to cycling this adventure with everyone!

Mike Gemus

60-year-old male. Avid cyclist for 25 years. Several tours completed, including a Trans-Am. Second time TDA participant.

Mike Hennessy

From Shawnigan Lake BC, near Victoria, I will be 70 by the time I get on my bike in Srinagar. In 2014 I rode the Silk Route from Tehran to Istanbul and returned in 2016 to ride from Beijing to Almaty. In 2015 I rode from home across my province to connect with the North American Epic and some riders and staff from SR 2014 - what a hoot! Now I'm returning to ride the Himalayas and a Silk Route reunion - at the time of this profile update eight Silk Route 2014/16 tour riders will be riding. I'm excited by the notion of riding with a new tribe across northern India and Nepal. Certainly much more exciting than doing the same ol' 50-150 km rides around familiar roads at home. See y'all soon. Cheers! Mike

David Briery

I’m a recreation cyclist who passion is discovering new places and cultures from the back roads of the world. I have cycled Malaysia, Vietnam, Morocco, and Ethiopia, much of Europe, as well as significant portions of the American West, including Alaska. Last year, I celebrated the first day of my retirement, by beginning a solo adventure from Venice Beach to my 50th High School Reunion in Topeka, KS. Through heat, followed by torrential monsoons, I finished 25 days later “one happy camper.” Twenty-five years ago I was fortunate to help start a ski school, the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center at Big Bear, for the disabled of Southern California and Nevada. To help support the school, each October we cycle 350 miles from Big Bear to Mammoth in an adventure we call Peak-To-Peak. I hope many of my new friends from the Silk Route will join me.

Brian Hoeniger

There are few experiences in life that compare to riding my bike through beautiful landscapes in faraway lands. Beyond working for TDA as Accountant and Tour Support, I've been a client 7 times now. All these journeys have had their magical moments. Spinning through Iran - pinch me, I'm dreaming!, across Turkey - where east meets west, down Chile's remote Carretera Austral, and into the canyonlands of the American southwest, to name a few. Completing the Tour d'Afrique is another. And of course, meeting our amazing clients from around the world and the "salt of the earth" local people along the way. I rode Hanoi to Bangkok 2 years ago and now its time to carry on down the Malay peninsula from Bangkok to Singapore. See you in November!

Shanny Hill

Look forward to meeting everyone in Alaska. I have worked for TDA for over 10 years now and every trip is a new and challenging experience. I have been fortunate to have traveled all over the place, but North America ironically I have not explored much. It should be great fun (except maybe for the mosquitoes). Happy pedals...

Sarah Thomas

I'm from Providence, Rhode Island, and I love to travel by bicycle! I have ridden self-supported from Providence to New Orleans, Atlanta to Virginia Beach, Portland to San Francisco, and various tours around Colombia and Ecuador. I also like mountain biking, trail running, racing cyclocross, and I used to compete in triathlons and marathons but haven't done one in a while. I have worked in the bike industry since 2011, and have experience as a pedicab driver, tour guide, mechanic, advocate, and courier. I love anything having to do with cycling, staying active outdoors and being in nature!

Emily Lister

Hi There, My name is Emily Lister and I will be the Tour Medic/Support staff for the stretch of the tour from Tuktoyaktuk to Helena. I am very excited to join TDA for a leg of this EPIC ADVENTURE. A little bit about myself, I graduated from Algonquin College's Practical Nursing Diploma Program in 2016. From there, I have worked several jobs ranging from hospitals to medical clinics, and everything in between. I am also going into my fourth and final year of my Bachelor in Science Nursing Degree program at the University of Ottawa. I am an avid outdoors enthusiast. I love cycling, running, and yoga. In my spare time, I can be seen sipping coffee with a tabby cat in my lap, reading. I look forward to meeting all of you :)

Micah Markson

“A mountain biker at heart, but bike touring pays the bills!”

Most of the time, I work at the TDA head office in Toronto as the IT Manager, but I also sometimes work on the tours as needed, either as a guide or a bike mechanic. I landed here because my uncle mentioned to me he had a friend—Henry—with this crazy bike company, the friend and I met, and the rest is history.

I studied Business and IT at university, and my previous job was at an exotic car dealership. In my own time, I do more mountain biking than touring, and usually find nice trails to ride wherever our tours take me. Outside of TDA, I’ve cycled across Europe and half of Canada.

The Pamir Highway was a peak experience for me! As a mountain biker, I always love the roughest, crappiest roads our tours travel on. My favourite day of the entire Silk Route was actually the day that most of the other riders thought was the worst—it ended with a long switchback descent on a rough gravel road.

Every day brings a new challenge to solve, whether here in the office or on the side of a road in the desert. I really value that element of my job and relish it immensely.

Andreas Pakenham

If doing this trip once has others questioning your sanity, doing it twice must confirm its missing. As this is my second time leading this wild, beautiful, and challenging trip, you could say I've fallen hard for the old trade route. My goals this time around, are getting fewer people lost, and finally discovering the fabled peanut butter merchants of Central Asia ;)

Cristiano Werneck

“Good afternoon, my dear dream merchants."—TDA rider arriving at the office in Toronto for a visit.

I started with TDA as a local cyclist in Brazil during the Vuelta Sudamericana in 2009. I had just finished a long solo cycling trip through South America and I was invited to join the first couple of sections of the tour to help with the language. Once I was back home I started volunteering for the company, doing everything I could to spread the word about TDA. Eventually they decided that it was only fair to hire me.

It’s really hard to choose a place or a tour that was special, but both scouting and leading our first Trans-Oceania tour was certainly out of the ordinary. I had ten weeks to scout the whole thing from Medan to Sydney and spent nine of them trying to wrap Indonesia.

I recall a particular day in Indonesia that the riders later named "The Wall". Henry and I had been discussing avoiding a stretch of highway we weren’t happy with. We’d seen an alternative on the map but the road was privately owned by industry and we were having trouble getting the getting the permits we needed to use it. When we arrived, we saw local people using the road, which was a trail, so we decided to have lunch there to give me time to scope it out. A local guy on a motorbike took me up the steep trail to check it, flag it, and take notes and waypoints. At some stage, the trail got so steep that the motorbike couldn’t get both of us up, so I walked the rest of the way before calling staff at the lunch spot to tell them the route worked and to give them directions. It was a bit improvised and out of the ordinary but it was functional.

Because I knew what this steep route would put the riders through, I decided to wait and touch base with the first to complete it to see what they had to say about the experience. The first couple of cyclists showed up with big smiles on their faces and said they’d loved it but that they didn't think I should wait for everyone because there was sure to be some aggravated rider who would probably punch me. I decided to stay and wait for that punch, and while a few people did arrive looking ready to smack me, the angriest of them all actually just gave me a big hug. After a good shower and some good food everyone was in fine spirits; in the end, this day turned out to be a rider favourite of the whole trip.

Working with TDA is really the perfect job. Not only do I love both travel and bicycles, I also love watching people achieve things of which they never imagined themselves capable. Finally, this job allows me to share these loves with a wonderfully diverse group of people.

Katherine Stelfox

Hi there! My name is Katherine and I'll be joining the NAE from Montana to Panama City as a cycling medic. Currently I'm working as a Registered Nurse up in the Canadian Arctic in a small city called Iqaluit. After six months in the arctic I'm looking forward to the warmer weather down in Mexico. I have some experience with long distance physical pursuits, having completed the Appalachian Trail in 2016 and the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 - both taking 5-6 months to complete. And While I grew up mountain biking for fun or just to get into town, I'm new to the world of long distance cycling. I'm looking forward to testing myself and meeting all of you!

Carolina Ceravolo

Riding my bicycle on the road is just my perfect place to be. SAE will be my second tour working with TDA.

Lezinda Rossouw

Namibian born who grew up on a farm. This will be my 3rd trip with TDA. Looking forward to seeing something new everyone day and meeting new people.

Colleen Gordon

Cape Town born and bred. Bird and wildlife enthusiast. Been guiding for 8 years. Very excited for this new adventure.

Jairo Corrales

Pura Vida!!

Coby Werlin

Nomadic videographer from the US accompanying the NAE on & off and documenting all of its ups and downs!

Andrés Guadrón

still learning...

Cindy Smith

I am a runner/cyclist. I have been a long distance road/trail runner for years and I took up cycling a few years ago. These days, if I am not out running, I can usually be found on my on my bike. I ride with several local cycling clubs. I enjoy traveling and have ridden both the Trans Europa and Bamboo Road tours with TDA.

Tim Sole

Married to Judy. Both rode LEJOG in 2014, TDA Bamboo Road in 2015, the first third of TDA Trans-Europa in 2016, the TDA Odyssey in 2017 and the TDA Pub Ride in 2018. I think of myself as a a travel cyclist rather than as a 'real cyclist'. I am slow uphills, but excellent at finding coffee stops. I am an actuary and still work part-time. My main hobbies are recreational maths and writing, with my tenth book to be published in July 2019 ('The Strange and Infinite World of Numbers'). We live near Wellington, New Zealand.

Judy Sole

Married to Tim Sole, who is also on the tour. This will be my fifth TDA trip having previously done the Bamboo Road, part of the Transeuropa, the Odyssey and the Pub Ride. Greatly enjoyed cycling LEJOG (Lands End to John O' Groats) and the South Island of New Zealand.

Murray Beare

I retired recently and look forward to finally getting to Canada's North. I usually start the cycling season in Mallorca in April and then transition to Ontario cycling. Travelling by bicycle is a great way to get a fuller experience. This will be my first TDA tour, although I have cycled with other tours in Europe, the US and New Zealand.

edward sokol

retired, single worked 44 years in retail business, owned it for 30 years like cycling, hiking

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.

John Hemmen

I have been an avid cyclist all my life and have done many tours on both road and mountain bikes. Cycling is simply the best way to travel through country, for it lends itself to a relaxed and visceral connection to the land and its people. I am a retired Emergency Physician and spend my time off the bike painting, reading, and traveling. I have done the Trans Europa, Odyssey, and Pub Ride tours previously and look forward to sharing the NAE with old riding buddies from previous tours.

ray harder

i am a 73 year old male from missouri, usa. i have ridden on bike tours across the us, and this will be my fourth out of country. i speak a little spanish at the intermediate level and i enjoy talking to the locals... i am glad that we are going north to south as it seems downhill to me... i am looking forward to this trip... good to see a lot of international riders... and several alumni of tda -sa-2015, tda-wa-2018., tda-nae-2019... email me -- harderr@umsystem.edu if you want to talk... ray

Debbie Jenner

As a (by then) former Geography teacher, this will be an amazing way to celebrate retirement! I have loved my previous TDA trips and am looking forward to catching up with old friends and making new ones. Not sure why photo is upside down?!

Peter Millikan

I am 70, a retired emergency physician, married since 1973, three children and five grand children, living north of Seattle on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. Travel highlights: half year backpacking and tent camping in East Africa and South America, four weeks trekking in Nepal, half year living in Andalusia, Camino de Santiago on mountain bike, road bike trips from Seattle to Bath, Maine, Natchez Trace, Seattle to San Francisco via Oregon Coast, TDA Transeuropa, TDA Odyssey, mountain bike trips in Northern Rockies, around Moab, and various rides around California and Washington with friends, bike clubs or solo. I've summited the volcanic peaks in the Cascades as well as Mt Whitney. Besides hiking and biking I like windsurfing and skiing. I can say a few things in Spanish or Russian.

Cynthia Sheller

I’ve got an itch to travel via cycle across swathes of this earth... and am joining this tour as an experiment in handing the planning and support details over to the pros. Surely there are advantages in both columns, so it comes down to this; which, for me, is more satisfying/enriching/‘wow-ing’/fun ; Tour? Or, doing my own thing? I’m a great fan of the Earth ....mountains...grasslands...undersea wilderness...desert......Equally appreciative of living rough or living with luxuries... I enjoy my delightful well-fledged sons, reading...nature (not excluding human nature), lounging around, good friends, good food, good wine, good conversation, film, jazz, blues, classical, swing dancing, spontaneous adventure. I can't carry a tune, so if I'm singing you might want earplugs. Finally retiring this June, I’ll gift myself with you all + tda North America See ya in July....

Kevin Hall

Geoff Bailey

After a lifetime of long distance walking around the world, it’s time for me to swap the trekking boots for pedals. I’m excited to be participating in this big adventure and really looking forward to meeting you all.

Peter McCartney

My name is Peter McCartney and this is my 4th TDA trip.

Jim Skeel

My wife and I like to take bicycle trips when we go on a vacations. Ten years ago we went on a two week bicycle trip in Burma. We have been on other bicycle trips since then. We did the Orient Express with TDA in 2015. The most difficult part of this trip will be leaving my two dogs at home.

Barbara Smit

I love biking & travel. Can't wait to travel through such beautiful country

Alexandra Ruch

After having cycled the Tour d`Afrique 2018 and Hippie Trail & Canada 2019, I am Looking Forward to another Cycling Adventure, this time in Westafrica.

Walker Mooney

Herman Sans

66 years old I am. Last year we did the North America epic and for me and my wife Ada it was to early to do this tour in 2020. Now it is in 2021 we are hungry again and we know the Toureaders . So we take this challenge and hope to have again a great tour and meet a lot of new people

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.

Kim Wright

Richard Walsh

Retired teacher but not inactive. In previous years I crossed USA and Australia and indeed Europe (from the West coast of Ireland to Istanbul) and in 2016 from Beijing to Osh, and the Pamir Highway in 2018..... always on my trusty cyclo-cross. I live in Tipperary.....so, no matter where I am, IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO home.

Elizabeth Rooke

Liz Rooke Love cycling and love travelling and caught the TDA bug a few years ago. Did Venice to Barcelona leg in 2014 and it was so good that in 2015 I completed the Orient Express and the Bamboo Road before realising I had to get a job again! Sadly this year I can only do one segment but with lots of old friends (no reference to ageism) I couldn't resist returning - looking forward to joining you in Banff

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!) . This will be the first time that I have cycled long distance in a group and the comradeship is something I am looking forward to! I am swapping NZ sandflies for Canadian mosquitoes! Traveled extensively already through Canada, USA, and Mexico but really looking forward to being back there this time on a bike, and then to see Central America.

Dean Murray

Retired from engineering in 2015 and have been doing cycling and hiking trips since, including Newfoundland, Ruta Maya, Australia, Pub Ride, West Africa and Great Divide. Cycling trips with camping are my favorite times.

Beat Jenni

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 five 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.

Linda Wille

Knut Erling Wedul

In 2008 I cycled with TDA for the first time and made The Silk Route from Istanbul to Beijing. This was fun, so I did the Tour d'Afrique in 2010. The tour was a bit short, so I started at the top of my country, North Cape in Norway, and rode alone to Cairo. In 2014, I cycled from Kathmandu to the southern tip of India, and crossed South America from Quito to Usuhaia. Last year, I cycled with friends from Myanmar to New Zealand, through the countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. The only continent I have not cycled is North America, but in the fall I will meet you all there!

Benedicte Therien

I have been cycling all around the world solo or duo (Cuba, France, West Africa, Patagonia, Balkans, etc..). First organized tour ever, this Epic North America will start a sabbatical leave. Looking forward to meet and Bike with you

Corinne Burt

Digital nomad currently living in US but open to other options.

Stein Jotul Simensen

Enthusiastic off road / mtb cyclist who loves nature

Anne Wedul

Norman Viner

Physician, happily married, 3 grown boys. Trying to stay young. Love the open road on a bike. Open to new ideas, people and places. Looking forward to learning from and interacting with all riders and staff.

David McIntyre

I am a Canadian recently moved to Cayman Islands. First tried bike touring a few years ago - London to Edinburgh, more recently Toronto to Cape Breton, both on my own. I now have an idea of circumnavigating the Caribbean Sea (most of it) by bike and kayak, and I'm joining this trip- from Guatemala to Panama, as part of this journey.

Mark Heim

I was fortunate to retire early a few years ago and I now enjoy my free time staying fit and active. I've done a few other long distance bike tours including a ride across the US then up to Alaska, TDA's Transeuropa, South American Epic, the Silk Route, and part of Africa. I’ve previously ridden through some of the areas that The North American Epic will cover it is was some of the best riding of my life. I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with old friends and meeting new people.

Nancy Stueve

Avid road cyclist who loves seeing new places from a bike seat. This will be my second tour with TDA.

Clement Lam

This is my Fifth time cyclo-touring with TDA. The other four 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) and Oh Canada (Winnipeg to Quebec City, 2017). I enjoy travelling and cycling very much so TDA tours are perfect match. I look forward to meeting like-minded friends on this trip.

Bonnie Blundon

This will be my second TDA tour! Last summer my husband and I joined the NAE in Banff and cycled to Yuma. I am sooo looking forward to this “pop up” tour.

Doug Winter

Retired, so now life is filled with XC Skiing, Canoeing and Cycling Cycle tours have included Vancouver to St John's, Vancouver to Inuvik, End to End in the UK , and some of the NAE (2019)

Anton Tasič

Stephen Wahl

i am an old guy who likes adventure and travel. if i detail my background i'll have nothing to talk about around d the campfire.

Donna Keystone

I am following Steve Wahl to tackle the Dempster Highway before he turns 70.

Greg Roberts

I enjoy cycling, spending time outdoors, and visiting other countries and cultures, so this has to be the perfect combination, right? In between holidays I'm a hospital-based pharmacist/researcher. Looking forward to meeting a few of the locals at the various stop-overs, having a few beers with the other cyclists, and hearing a few tall stories.

Anne Glasson

I am a retired accountant, exchanging a computer for a bicycle! My husband Peter and I have ridden several unsupported tours through Europe, so this will be a change for us not having to carry our own gear. I am looking forward to the challenge, companionship and the opportunity to see new and amazing things.

John Poe

Recently retired and excited about riding north to south with people from all over the world. Looking forward to learning from the vast cycling experiences from the cyclist on the expedition. A trip of a life time for me.

Kevin McAleer

Paul Blint

Hi, I'm 63 years old, and have been running and cycling for 49 of those years. Been biking for 32 years, wow I'm old! Raced bikes for 8 years including a couple of years as a category 2. Now it's all about seeing the sights and moving under human power, and meeting like-minded folks. I rode across Nevada last fall and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of the Southwest on two wheels!

Jessica Moyer

guy bonnetta

I'm a retired manager at a bio tech seed company. I live in Winnipeg Canada. I have 3 grown daughters and 4 wonderful little grandchildren, 2 of which I see just about everyday. I'm a avid road biker, belonging to a couple of different cycling groups. But living in the Prairies I don't get much hill or mountain practice. So I'll be slow on the hills of Central America. Looking forward to meeting up with the group in Granada

Lee Taylor

I am retired in Tucson, Arizona, married, 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 three years I have done two supported tours. Did the last section of the North American Epic in December 2019. I am 73 years old.

Adele Woodyard

Barendina Hunt-Davis

Love exploring countries on my bicycle

Brian Fullerton

Have done several tda trips (mostly sections) and am excited about Helena to Moab. Even more excited about having a shiny new bike. The photo was taken during the West African trip not long before I fell in the ocean and ruined my phone, my gps, my pride and of course my bike.

Charles Feaver

My first TDA ride was India in 2012. Loved it. Bamboo Road in 2013. Awesome. Ruta Maya 2015. Oceania 2016. South America 2017. Looking forward to going back to Central America.

John Waterhouse

This will be my eighth TDA tour. Obviously, I am an addict. Why do I enjoy it enough to keep coming back? The people, the sights, sounds and smells of distant lands, the food, the physical challenge and the comradery of touring.

Lloyd Strong

HI, I'm looking forward to this adventure and meeting everyone. And renewing some old friendships as well. Never been to the Northwest territories and can't wait to experience all it's charms.

Louise Sims

I'm not a fast rider by any stretch, but I love to travel this way!

Nelson Lacharity

I am from Vancouver, BC, retired June of 2012. I discovered bicycling when I was 42 and long distance cycling when I was 59, so I had to retire to make time for the touring. I have been on six other TDA tours (Amber Route 2010, Bamboo 2013, and South American 2015, TransEuropa 1016, Tour d'Afrique 2017) and Silk Route 2018 as well as several other long distance rides. For me cycling is mostly about the bike, but the chance to see new places and new cultures is right up there, along with one of the biggest pleasures, which is the people - meeting new ones and meeting up with ones from previous rides.

Richard Russek

I enjoy the slower pace of cycling that allows one to explore a country. And the opportunity to try new food. And the history. But not the sore bum.

Svend Paulsen

Hi Since I retired from Teaching 11 years ago I have had the opportunity to travel with TDA . This will be my 9th trip. I enjoy meeting new travelers as well as reuniting with old friends . Together we see and experience the incredible wonders of the world first hand and up close . I look forward to seeing all of you on the trans oceania