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Olive Route 2025

Olive Route 2025

Olive Route 2025

An opportunity to sample some of the world’s great cuisines and to encounter some of the planet’s most enchanting peoples and their histories.

RIDERS AND STAFF

Nancy Stueve

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Nancy Stueve

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

Avid road cyclist who loves seeing new places from a bike seat.

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Chris Penney

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Chris Penney

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

I’m glad to be returning to TDA for another adventure.Victoria BC is home for the past few years. So many good memories and friends from the 2011 tour have lured me back for this ride to Gqeberha.Very excited to share this trip with Amy my sweetheart.

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

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Simon Boyd

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Simon Boyd

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Ireland

Originally from the UK (I obtained Irish citizenship after the Brexit vote), I lived in Poland for 27 years but currently based in South Africa. I was a chartered accountant by trade and spent the last 20 years of my working life in the cable tv business, originally in the finance area but for most of the time in general management. Now retired I now spend my time on the golf course as it is my main passion. I completed the Pub Ride 2 in 2018 and was hoping to do the inaugural Journey to the East but had to cancel due to other commitments. Been doing quite a bit of mountain biking. Completed the Trans Europa in 2021 and the Garden Route section of Tour d’Afrique in 2022 , together with the NZ of Trans-Oceania. Looking forward to getting back on the touring bike.

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Mark Vantrease

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Mark Vantrease

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I've been fortunate to live and travel in many places around the world. The Paris to Istanbul ride will be a new experience and fulfill a bucket list item. I enjoy Adventure Travel including Cross-Ocean Sailing, Distance Hiking/Back Packing, Distance Cycling and Competitive Rowing. Looking forward to meeting like minded adventurers!

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Eric Wolinsky

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Eric Wolinsky

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I love bicycle touring and I've been looking forward to this trip for a while.

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Katherine Wolinsky

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Katherine Wolinsky

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

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Mary Abbey

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Mary Abbey

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

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Dianne Roberson

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Dianne Roberson

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

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edward sokol

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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edward sokol

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

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

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Michelle Frost

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Michelle Frost

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

I enjoy gravel riding, long distance cycle touring and bikepacking in more remote locales. My favourite way to see a country is from a bike.

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John Hemmen

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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John Hemmen

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

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 have done the Trans Europa, Odyssey, Pub Ride, and NAE tours previously with TDA.

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Regan Dunn

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Regan Dunn

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I’m a newbie to long bike tours, but I love long day trips on a bike. This will be my first TDA adventure, and I am very much looking forward to a spectacular trip and excellent food. I am a paleobotanist and Curator at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, CA. I make a living studying fossil plants and the rocks that preserve them. I spend a lot of time digging holes all over the world, and even more time at the lab bench and at the microscope. I am passionate about studying past climatic change, extinction and biodiversity to understand what the past can tell us about present and future change. I haven’t taken a vacation for several years, and I am ready for a big adventure with my husband Rick Madden.

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Tim Sole

Rider

Milan to Lisbon

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Tim Sole

Rider
Milan to Lisbon

New Zealand

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, the TDA Pub Ride in 2018, and the last 80% of TDA's North American Epic (so for us Banff to Panama) in 2019. This tour will be my first on an e-bike. My superpower is finding coffee stops.

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Judy Sole

Rider

Milan to Lisbon

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Judy Sole

Rider
Milan to Lisbon

New Zealand

Married to Tim Sole, who is also on the tour. This will be my sixth TDA trip having previously done the Bamboo Road, part of the Transeuropa, the Odyssey, the Pub Ride and 80% of the North American Epic (Jasper to Panama). Greatly enjoyed cycling LEJOG (Lands End to John O' Groats) and the South Island of New Zealand.

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Richard Madden

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Richard Madden

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

Hello! I am a past rider with TDA, Orient Express (2006), Amber Route (2010), and Viva Italia (2022). I presently live in Los Angeles, and am 72 years of age. I am a retired university faculty member, worked 32 years at Duke University (Biological Anthropology) and 8 years at the University of Chicago (Organismal Biology & Anatomy), teaching human anatomy in the medical schools at both institutions.. My intellectual activities have been absorbed by the vertebrate paleontology of South America, where I have done field, laboratory and museum research all my life. My present interests center on climate change, and as I understand it, bicycles will be an important part of the solution to this complex and daunting challenge. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to being with you all, once again.

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Dag Brattli

Rider

Bordeaux to Lisbon

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Dag Brattli

Rider
Bordeaux to Lisbon

Norway

Living in Tromsø, Norway. Been sectional rider before on the Tour de Afrique, Dunes & Atlantic (2014, 2017).

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Britton Morrell

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Britton Morrell

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I've been bike touring here and there as time permitted. I've done the Katy Trail, parts of the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, The TransAmerica in 2017 with the ACA, Pacific Coast Northern Tier, Death Valley, two Ride the Rockies, and two Pedal the Plains. This year will be my first trip with TDA.,

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Gina Rivera Morrell

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Gina Rivera Morrell

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

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Geoff White

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Geoff White

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

Retired teacher - High School Maths/Sci/DigTech Cyclist/surfer/skier/snowboarder.

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Jim Harrison

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Jim Harrison

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I am a 68 year old retired family physician experienced with long distance, 1-3 month solo touring in the US and western Europe. I joined a great group to do the Bamboo Road in 2019. I have also traveled in SE Asia without a bicycle. I am looking forward to joining others on both the Odyssey and then on the Golden Buddha for further exploration of a fascinating parts of the planet in a fashion - bicycling- well suited to learning and enjoying whatever we encounter. I also look forward to time with fellow bicyclists and crew as we share experiences. I live in western Oregon, married 41 years to a lovely and loveable non-cyclist who doesn't mind that I do trips like this.

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Wendy McDonald

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Wendy McDonald

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

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Justin Ripley

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Justin Ripley

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

... to be continued.

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Kristen Mueller

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Kristen Mueller

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United Kingdom

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 :-)

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

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Ruth Grathwohl

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Ruth Grathwohl

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

Love cycling and traveling with my husband Peter Ellis

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Maria Victoria Cardini

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Maria Victoria Cardini

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Argentina

Retired. Hobbies: travels, movies and technology

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Mike Jakeman

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Mike Jakeman

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

Bike and travel.....it's a retirement thing.

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

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Katy LeBarron

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Katy LeBarron

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

I love biking about the world!

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United Kingdom

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Jane Clark

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Jane Clark

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

Now that I have completed the Tour d'Afrique, I am looking forward to an adventure tour with hotel stays in Asia, another continent to be explored. After reaching Bangkok, I am plan to ride through Cambodia, then south to the island of Koh Samui to visit friends and explore the islands off Thailand's coast and possibly continue south to Malaysia and Singapore. Fingers crossed that it will all work out.

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Brigitte Oelert

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Brigitte Oelert

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Germany

I am married to Jürgen Willrodt and our first vacation 30 years ago was a bike tour through France. After our kids were grown, Jürgen convinced me to ride the Ruta Maya in Central America in 2015. It was my first TDA tour, which was tough but absolutely fantastic! The following year I cycled part of the Trans-Oceania Tour - from Auckland to Queenstown and in 2019 the first 4 weeks of the Trans-Himalaya Tour. Now I'm looking forward to cycling in Korea and Japan, to meet some friends and to eat the delicious food.

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Simon Lanyon

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Simon Lanyon

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

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Janice Lanyon

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Janice Lanyon

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

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.

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

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Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Rider
Athens to Lisbon

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Kaye Hudson

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Kaye Hudson

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

New Zealand

Previous tours Trans Europa 2012, South America 2015, NZ section Trans Oceania 2016, Oydessy 2017 (Auckland to Queens Town) Bosnia to Amsterdam, Pub Ride 2018, Africa Kenya to Capetown 2019, and Oydessy 2022 (Adelaide to Melbourne). Looking forward to catching up with riders from previous rides and meeting new riders.

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Anthony kline

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Anthony kline

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

54yrs old small business owner building concreting landscaping. Enjoy adventure activities, have walked everest base camp and kilimanjaro successfully. Been a keen cyclist for several years, in 2015 Michele and did our first TDA trip from Lima to Cusco. Last year we completed Auckland to Queenstown and now looking forward to the Pub ride.

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Michele Kline

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Michele Kline

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

My Husband Anthony (Tony) and I, are from Hobart in Tasmania...we went on our first TDA tour in 2014 from Lima to Cuzco part of the South African Epic our second tour was NZ from Auckland to Queenstown 2015 and a lap around our state Tasmania in 2022 both were part of the Trans Oceania. We have completed 3 full tours the Pub Ride 2017, Viva Italia 2020 and The Orient Express in 2022. We are looking forward to Morocco!

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Duane Lodrige

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Duane Lodrige

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

United States

Love to tour via bike! The Viva Italia experience was incredible. I look forward to catching up with many of my Viva Italia friends on the Olive route plus an opportunity to meet and cycle across a beautiful area of the world!!

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Andrew Pullman

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Andrew Pullman

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

Signing up for another tour. I Enjoyed the Pub Ride with many people on this current tour. Looking to have another great time, even with Mark coming along, LOL.... I ride in Niagara Ontario. Also have ridden in Iowa Ragbrai ride, Florida Pinellas Trail and Vancouver island, Riding keeps me active in retirement. Can’t wait for it to start. Andy :P

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Wayne Grover

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Wayne Grover

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Canada

Wayne Grover is a retired Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, his professional life encompassed time with the military, with Bell North Research as a Research Engineer, then as founding VP Research for TRLabs, and as a full Professor (ECE) at the University of Alberta. He has over 150 peer-reviewed published articles, one book, and 38 patented inventions. Among other awards and recognitions he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Commonwealth Scholar to the UK, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, Life Fellow of the Alberta Association of Professional Engineers, Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and Professor Emeritus University of Alberta. As a cyclist, he is a past Hawaii Ironman and an Alumni of five other TDA rides before Trans Europa. From July to December last year he rode 14,500 km from Fairbanks, Alaska to the Panama Canal, accompanying fellow TDA Alumnus Bob Fletcher as he set the Guinness World Record for the longest e-bike ride to date. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with his wife Jutta. Their son, Ted lives and works in Vancouver, B.C.

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Brett Lanham

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Brett Lanham

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Australia

I’m an ex seafarer, retired now for 10 years, fortunate enough to have been able to get away on a bike tour with TdA every year since 2011, until 2020 that was! I look forward to catching up with friends from past rides and meeting new ones and sharing this great adventure with a beer, or two.

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Juergen Willrodt

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

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Juergen Willrodt

Rider
Athens to Lisbon

Germany

I am 73 years old and have already participated in 10 TDA tours mainly as a sectional rider. I am married and happy father of three girls (42, 27 and 24) and grandfather of three grandchildren. I am partly retired working now just 1 or 2 days a week which gives me plenty of time to travel. I have studied physics and have a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics. I have been active in sports all my life and before I started doing cycling tours I have been active in Karate and participated in World Championships 1975 in Los Angeles and 1977 in Tokyo and became European Champion in 1977. You can find more information on my website.

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SEE

LESS

SEE LESS

Nancy Stueve

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

Chris Penney

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

 

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

Simon Boyd

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

Mark Vantrease

Rider

Athens to Lisbon

SEE

MORE

SEE MORE

“A diverse tour taking riders from 'rich' 'traditional' Western Europe to remoter and still changing parts of Eastern Europe. A fascinating dissection of different cultures and religions.”

“This tour was challenging, educational, fun and included some jaw dropping scenery.”

“As someone new to cycle touring, riding with TDA was the best experience possible. The Pub ride was appealing to me because spending 5 weeks in Ireland, the UK and Western Europe just sounded like a perfect fit. TDA is a well-oiled machine.”

OVERVIEW OLIVE ROUTE 2025


  • FULL TOUR
  • SECTION 1
  • SECTION 2
  • SECTION 3
  • OLIVE ROUTE
  • KALAMATA
  • NIçOISE
  • MANZANILLA
  • ATHENS TO LISBON
  • ATHENS TO MILAN
  • MILAN TO BORDEAUX
  • BORDEAUX TO LISBON
  • APR 27 TO JUL 3
  • APR 27 TO MAY 24
  • MAY 27 TO JUN 8
  • JUN 11 TO JUL 3
  • EUR 22900
  • EUR 12300
  • EUR 5900
  • EUR 10200
  • WAITLIST OPEN
  • WAITLIST OPEN
  • WAITLIST OPEN
  • WAITLIST OPEN
  • FULL TOUR
    • OLIVE ROUTE
    • ATHENS TO LISBON
    • APR 27 TO JUL 3
    • 22900 EUR
    • WAITLIST OPEN
  • SECTION 1
    • KALAMATA
    • ATHENS TO MILAN
    • Apr 27 - May 24
    • 12300 EUR
    • WAITLIST OPEN
  • SECTION 2
    • NIçOISE
    • MILAN TO BORDEAUX
    • May 27 - Jun 8
    • 5900 EUR
    • WAITLIST OPEN
  • SECTION 3
    • MANZANILLA
    • BORDEAUX TO LISBON
    • Jun 11 - Jul 3
    • 10200 EUR
    • WAITLIST OPEN

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.

Full tour entry fees will receive an early payment discount of EUR€500 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.

 

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