Benjamin Levin

Hi all! I'm Benjamin. I have worked several TDA tours over the last two years and cannot wait to meet you all on this one! I love traveling and being part of something bigger than myself and TDA tours are just that. I am an exceptionally adequate naturalist (I have a B.S in Zoology), lover of sports and athletics, and type two fun enthusiast (as I am sure many of you are as well). The combination of sport, being outside, and working towards a goal all come together for me on the seat of a bike, the best seat in the house. When you're on a bike, you're not just passing through the landscape, you are part of it. Exposed to the elements and open to encounters, you are in a position of vulnerability that break the barrier between traveler and local. That openness invites connection, allowing you to immerse yourself in new cultures and, more often than not, be welcomed by the people you meet. This is a great thing you are all doing. These tours are life changing experiences. Hope you are ready! See ya soon

Samuel Roy

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!

Andreas Pakenham

As a tour leader, I love the daily challenges, and ever changing worlds we are all so lucky to travel through. Getting a diverse group of cyclists, with different backgrounds, and goals across a continent is a rare thrill that makes life at home feel a bit pedestrian! The best feeling on tour is making a tough day go smoothly, and to surprise the riders with something unexpected or memorable along the way.

I live on the west coast of Canada, in Victoria, a quiet town which can seem like an extreme contrast to many of the places I tour with TDA. In the past I have done a number of solo cycling trips, as well as exploring by motorcycles when time was more limited. Over the years of travelling though, I've realized how much I enjoy the camaraderie of travelling with a group to share experiences and make memories with. My future goals for personal travel at the moment are a bit different, and are based around the sea. In the next couple years I want to go by boat to the extreme north of Canada, in the hopes of exploring places impossible to reach in any other manner.

It's hard to nail down a single memorable experience from all my trips with TDA, but I most often think back to the experiences of Central Asia, and discovering the beauty of the Pamir Mountains for the first time. At one particular high altitude camp in Tajikistan, I remember taking a hike with a group of riders up a steep 5000m peak adjacent to the camp. As we neared the top, we found ourselves unable to safely make it past 5000m due to a loose rock scramble for the last 20 meters. Disappointed, we turned around and witnessed a flock of Marco Polo Sheep running along the ridge just below us, making time before the sun set.

If I were to make a single suggestion to a future TDA rider, it would be to slow down, and keep a camera close. The best stories at the end of the trip are not normally those of the speediest cyclist.

Douglas Percival

There is a great sense of satisfaction seeing a Rider finishing their day with a smile on their face, and that Day by Day, we have Taken someone safely to a place on this planet that Most People will never see, and all whilst by Bicycle.

I am a South African that has lived a life of itchy travel feet, and found myself Living in Sweden. Being a passionate cyclist in my teenage years, my Bike Mechanic Brother, taught me to fix my own bicycles, a vital bit of knowledge not only for a teenager trying to save money on bike repairs, but how it would shape my working career.

I've worked in all corners of the Bike industry,... shops, import and distribution, race teams, and even now for the Swedish Cycling Federation, as well as personal Guiding for a huge mix of private clients. They have all added up into helping me grow my knowledge of a bicycle, and how I can make one operate even in the worst environments with rider abuse,....which then played into the hand of being a confident TDA mechanic.

Guiding and Leading Tours came organically through my knowledge of Traveling, mixed with my knowledge of fixing bikes, thrown into the pot of being a passionate cyclist, and large desire of being on the Move.... Quite a mix.

TDA tours have the ability to provide one with a gift. It is a gift that keeps on giving...and that is: just when you think you have seen it all, there is always something else to surprise you with! From sleeping inside the Great Wall of China, to swatting flies off your sandwich in 49celcius Australian outback, or watching stars in the Sudanese Sahara, to Sipping Expresso's in an Italian cafe. From the Orderly bike lanes of Denmark to the chaos of Freetown, Sierra Leone.... There is so much that happens daily!

For any future rider that is wondering how to make their experience better. Set your expectations reasonably, ask questions, And come prepared... and Know your equipment!

Know how your bike feels, make sure it has arrived on tour Fully serviced. Know how to put up your tent if you're not confident with it.

And Figure out your bag packing! I have watched too many people lose an hour of their precious day (and some everyday for 4 months).. because they don't have their equipment organized.

Cheers..and happy riding!

Bill Wilson

I am looking forward to another challenging and adventurous tour with TDA, my 14th.. I retired eleven 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 travelling. It will be great to get together with some old and new friends.

Bernard Maher

Sally Weatherald

Now retired, I have the time and money to complete more adventures and continue to explore the world. I love history, cultures and meeting people from all walks of the life. I'm a passionate fitness person, cyclists, and walker/hiker.

Barbara Smit

Love cycling and travel. Looking forward to seeing this part of the world

Alan Harrop

Jeanine Hartnett

This will be my seventh 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.

Kent Kirshenbaum

I'm an educator and researcher. My passions are moving through landscapes and cooking. I recently did a stint on the TDA Kingdom of the West and I'm eager to continue exploring the Maghreb by bike.

Martha Hightower

I’m a mom, grandma, and retired teacher. I enjoy travel, cycle touring, and back-country hiking. I am looking forward to another TDA adventure.

Marcy Mintz

After my first TDA trip in 2025 (Golden Buddha) I was hooked! I am looking forward to another wonderful adventure.

Michael Howard

A cyclist on and off for many years. I started when I was 14 when I joined Whitewebbs Cycling Club in North London UK. In 2014 I rode a section from Sudan to Ethiopia 2014 followed by the Rute De Maya in 2015. Other rides have been Tanzania to Namibia followed by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, then Georgia and Turkey. In 2024 I rode Paris to Budapest without any riding for 18 months before due to left ankle fracture. Now I am looking forward to the great ride Algeria, Tunisia and Italy in April / May 2027. Keep healthy to live a long life.

David Hamilton

Life is a journey ... so the question is "Where does that road go?" Whether it is gravel grinding on tracks around Canberra, bouncing on the cobble stone farm roads of France, or cruising along the PCH of northern California, there is always something to see from the seat of a bicycle.

Judy Rendek

Looking forward to another TDA trip.

Amanda Tucker

I did my first TDA tour in October-November 2025: Island Hopping Japan. It was an incredible experience, both for the riding and for the amazing new friends I made. I didn't really know what to expect on a TDA tour and the trip far exceeded my expectations. I was told by others that TDA is a kind of cult for lycra wearing addicts, and it must be true, as I signed up for this tour while about half-way through the tour I was on. Although it is still more than a year away, I'm already dreaming of TDA lunches in Tunisia and Algeria....

Rhonda Aliah

I am a veterinarian who loves adventure. I have always wanted to go on an extended bike ride and this tour seemed to fit the bill. I have ridden RAGBRAI and completed numerous long distance cycling events. I love to hike- trekking to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Nepal, Patagonia and the UK. I love eco travel and have used my profession to enable me to work around the world. I have three adult children who encourage me to explore,travel and in the words of Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise- "To boldly go where "I " have never been before". First TDA tour was the Pub Ride and it was fabulous. Now I am hooked on cycle touring!

Anthony Matthews

Jane Tagney

Merrill F

I love the outdoors and am always looking for a new adventure. One of my sons introduced me to cycling in 2013 and I found it fun and fulfilling. My first overseas cycling occurred in 2014 when my son and I cycled across SE Asia from Bangkok to Saigon. I discovered TDA in 2016 with the Hippie Trail in India and I then went on to complete an unsupported tour of the U.S. Pacific Coast as well as a U.S. transcontinental west to east and four other TDA tours.. I live in Northern California, have been married for over 30 years, and have two sons in their 30's. Travel by bicycle is a great way to meet the people of a country and experience the food, music and culture. I look forward to new adventures with TDA.

David Moliterno

I really enjoyed the great crews and fabulous riders on the Bamboo Road, Morocco: Kingdom of the West, and the part of Trans-Himalaya we were able to ride. So, I very much look forward to the next TDA adventure!

John McQualter

I want to get away from work! Looking forward to a break in Africa/India

Michael Talbert

I like to travel and cycling is a great way to do it. I travel to experience different cultures, meet people, look around, learn about history and eat interesting food. I did Hippie Trail and Tea Route and am looking forward to a new adventure.

Erin Ely

I’m a late starter and began cycling in April of 2022, when I was 66 years old. I live in the Pacific Northwest and ride locally with a cycling group called GEARS. I love to get out and ride with the group. I really like the social part of riding as well as the fitness. My first big cycling tour was in 2025 on the TDA Hippie Tour. I'm excited to check out this next tour on the Road of the Empires, it looks like an amazing trip!

David Snow

Leonard Bayliss

live, work in new westminster canada,do solo non supported bicycle tours ,so far perth to albany WA around the coast, west to east sicily,lisboa to granada spain,parts of Jordan bicycle trail Paris to Normandy