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.

Bob Whitehead

Bob Whitehead Age: 75 Profession: Retired Chartered Civil Engineer Resident in Hong Kong: 31 years I was attracted to join my first bike tour in 2012 with TDA Global by the prospect of long distance adventure cycling in intriguing and sometimes remote and hostile environments. This was TDA's Silk Road tour. Some time later, when I saw their South American bike tour advertised, I was immediately attracted back to do my second long distance tour. I have now fitted bike touring into my already full & active lifestyle! So where have I come from? I’m a retired civil engineer and have lived in rural Hong Kong on and off for much of the last 40 years. There is a great range of outdoor activities on the doorstep, in particular excellent trail running and sailing. It’s also a good hub from which to take off to countries in the region and indulge in skiing, trekking and even simply just travelling! When one is still fit, why would you want to leave Hong Kong, even after 31 years? Well, I have at last now moved back to UK. As for what else got me into cycling……..Well, I’ve been a trail runner for most of my time in HK and reached the top level in my age category in cross-country, long distance trail running and mountain marathons at the ripe old age of 55. Then, after a few years, I decided to take after the great ultra-marathon runner, Marshall Ulrich, and diversify. This, as a way to keep motivated. It started with adventure racing and along with a team mate, we travelled around SE Asia competing at the top level for a number of years. Mountain biking was an important discipline and to help with my bike fitness, I brought my trusty 30-year old Carlton Gyro road bike over from the UK as my training steed. This had to go back recently to be sandblasted and painted after suffering from the ravages of Hong Kong's humidity for 10-years. Then in 2010, we competed in the Scottish Coast to Coast adventure race, for which I purchased a 16-speed cyclo-cross bike. I decided to "tour" back along the route over 5-days. This started me thinking about doing a "proper" bike tour and since I possessed a book about the Silk Road, such a bike tour loomed high on the agenda. I had also picked up a couple of books in a second hand bookshop back home in England. They were travel books on Morocco and Yunnan province in China. Glancing through those I rediscovered trekking, something I had experienced years before in Nepal in the early ‘80s. So long distance bike touring and high altitude trekking have been the focus more recently. In 2012, it was the Silk Road for 10-weeks for which I set up my mountain bike with road transmission components. In May 2013, I completed two solo treks in Morocco each based on the two highest peaks of Toubkal and Mgoun, both a little over 4000 metres. And from May 2014, China was the focus. It started with the Big Kora, a Pilgrims' circumnavigation of three 6000-metre peaks in western China involving seven mountain passes of up to 4700m. Since then, Habba Snow mountain has been the focus, with several trips (there being no maps available) culminating in a successful trip to the summit at 5,396m in 2019. Late in 2014, I completed a 5-day tour in Devon, UK on my cyclo-cross bike. This with a view to tackling LEJOG, a bike challenge of 970 miles taking in the UK from bottom to top (SW to NE). I needed to test out my gearing for the many hills on LEJOG. The idea was to take in LEJOG as a warm up for the SA Epic. The part of the LEJOG in Devon has the toughest hills on the whole LEJOG route, so this was an ideal testing ground for my equipment and gearing. And the result? I straight-away ordered a new MTB cassette and new rear changer for the bike! As for LEJOG, well I completed this in 12-days after Easter 2015 …….. and still had to walk up a number of the hills! For the South American Epic, starting in July 2015, I decided to take my mountain bike, which had proved very successful and trouble free on the Silk Road. I felt it more suitable and comfortable for the longer distances and longer climbs. And it featured yet again in the TDA West Africa tour in 2018. Meanwhile I'm still enjoying trail running and find it compliments biking very nicely. I also more recently introduced road biking to my activities and found a superb circuit in South Devon which takes me about 23kms there and back along superb coastal scenery.

Kaye Hudson

Have done 3 rides with TDA Trans Europa 2012, South American 2015 and NZ section of Trans Oceania in 2016 and m doing the Odyssey from Bosnia to Amsterdam in 2017. I look forward to catching up with riders from previous rides and meeting new ones on the Pub Ride plus catching up with old friends on the NA

Jason Becker

Like everyone here, I love my bike...as a glorious mode of transportation, but much more importantly as a freedom tool, taking me to places around the world I would never have seen if not from atop my bike. I have kept myself busy the past decade and a half as an art teacher and freelance artist and designer. I also love traveling, hiking, drawing, painting, building models, and anything else involving creativity. I currently live in Kansas, but look forward to the day, very soon perhaps, when I can wake up to mountains out my window.

John Stowe

My first thought about biking the SAE was: "I'm not letting Chris Willie, Chris Jones, and Dudley Jesser get all the glory...and drink all the beer!" :) ...and so begins my 4th tour with TDA. Can't wait to see you all again!

Catriona Kennedy

Mike and I have cycled from Istanbul to Beijing, Shanghai to Singapore, through India, Cartagena to Santiago and Brazil with TDA and done numerous cycling tours through Europe and across America. This trip through Seoul and Japan sounds fantastic and we're really looking forward to it.

Sharita van der Merwe

“The thing I love most about my job is watching the social dynamics unfold.”

For as long as I can remember I’ve been stripping, fixing, and riding bicycles. As well, I knew from a young age I wanted to explore, travel, and see the world—my dream at one time was to fly airplanes. However, it wasn’t long before I realized that flying in a straight line from point A to point B wasn’t for me!

When I left school I had no direction, no idea of where I wanted to be or what I wanted to do, once my dream of flying died. In 2003, I saw a magazine ad of a bunch of cyclists lined up in front of the Giza pyramids and I became hooked on the idea of doing that but I had to choose between taking a four-month cycling trip across Africa or going to Warriors Boot Camp to get educated. I chose Warriors and the programme equipped me for life by giving me a solid foundation. There, I was free to discover and explore who I was and to test physical and mental endurance. Having my attitude and my comfort zone constantly pushed readied me for all sorts of real-world challenges. I stayed at Warriors for three years, then cycled solo across Africa when I was 22 years old. In 2009, I landed the job as TDA’s assistant tour director on the Cairo to Cape Town trip—and the rest is history.

Ever since, Africa has been my baby and my favourite. I’ve worked on other tours—the Silk Route, the Bamboo Road, Ruta Maya, Magical Madagascar—but Africa is my full-time project and has lately included TDA’s complex tour of West Africa.

I’m based in beautiful Cape Town; when I’m not here, I’m scouting, exploring, problem-solving somewhere in the world and revelling in the adventure of being alive.

TDA has taken me to 80 countries and my most incredible off-the-beaten-track expedition was the West Africa scout in 2017, especially Guinea—I’d never been to a place so remote, rough or wild. I fell in love with Africa all over again on that trip. The stories are epic and endless!

There’s never a dull moment with TDA, because you absolutely never know what’s going to happen next.

Michael Netzsch

I am happy that I can join another tour with TDA.

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.

Eriberto Roana

Questo è il mio secondo TDA, nel 2010 ho fatto il Coast to Coast Los Angeles-New York, nel 2015 SudAmerican Epic, nel 2017 Il Great Divide, adesso andiamo ad affrontare questa nuova avventura e felice di incontrare alcuni ciclisti del SAE 2015.

Tim Padmore

I am a slightly rusty veteran of three TDA full tours (and of life in general I suppose). Ronda and I will tear ourselves away from three toddler grandchildren and our Gastown condo for a month on a fine new road with a few old friends and more friends to be.

Ronda Green

Hi, I am Ronda, one half of Mr. and Ms. 'Slow', Tim being the other half but we totally enjoy watching the world go by at a manageable pace. I have been a potter for forty years. Traveling to different countries gives me an intimate connection with the local culture. Pre-Columbian pottery of South America is amazing, detailing the life style and skill of the indigenous people before the Spanish invasion. Tim and I have traveled with TDA on four of the original excursion. I liken the experience to being a kid at camp: all of the adventure and fun with little of the work or management. Perfect, if we could just find someone to pitch the tents

Victor Beijen

Bob Briggs

My name is Bob Briggs, 71 year old State of Florida retiree. Since my retirement in 2001. I have completed bike tours in India, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, TDA Africa, Silk Route to Xi'an before crashing and SAE to Lima. Have not done a tour in over a year. I am presently suffering from TDA Global Cycling withdrawal. I've also done numerous less formal long distance tours prior to hooking up with TDA. Went to college in Salzburg, Austria in 1966 but have never done any cycling in Europe. Really looking forward to it!!!!

Theo de Klein

Theo de Klein from the Netherlands,

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 am glad that we are going north to south as it seems downhill to me... i am looking forward to this trip... email me -- harderr@umsystem.edu if you want to talk... ray

Klaus Michael Jensen

I'm 70 years old. I have done Africa-tour and South America Epic.

Peter Hodges

Kiwi who enjoys getting out and exploring. (tda veteran)

Erwin Attenberger

Hi, I´m Erwin, already 69, retired. My first long tour was TDA 2014, where I went from Khartoum to Nairobi and on my own through Uganda, back to Kenia and from there down to Southafrica, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. Meantime I´ve been on several TDA-Tours including South America, Silk Route and Trans-Himalaya. Looking forward to meet you on the next tour with TDA.

Nicholas Harrison

I live in Perth Western Australia, married to Johanna (Jo) who is also on the Trip. I am reasonably active enjoying outdoor activities, ocean swimming, windsurfing, snowboarding and of course riding. I ride a hard tail mountain bike in preference to a standard road bike even when commuting, makes me work harder chasing guys on road bikes. The longest bike trip I have done was in 2015 when we completed the Epic South America Trip. Since then we have ridden from Manali to Leh through the high mountain passes of Ladakh. Since returning from South America I have competed in several long distance offroad endurance rides and enjoy the physical and mental challenges. I have worked as a Surveyor for about 40 years on land and sea, remote areas to urban centres. Have travelled, worked and lived in a number of different countries including Southern Africa, Guatemala, Venezuela, Qatar, Mauritania and of course Australia.

Johanna Platt

What have I signed up for!!! I must admit my main sporting passion is ocean swimming, it doesn't sound like there'll be much of that on offer! We, that is myself, & Nick (husband, also on the tour) got a taste for cycle touring on a recent trip to Costa Rica - Challenging, yes, rewarding, absolutely. Not too sure how this long distance cycle touring will go, however, always looking for the next challenge, so will give it my best shot. At least it's heading south - that is downhill - isn't it? Chao Chicos, nos vamos en Julio.

Alex Glisson

I'm 27 and from the U.K. and will be undertaking two stages of the South American Epic 2015; from Lima to Bolivia. This will be my first Tour and am very excited! No idea what I am letting myself in for - but that's all part of the fun right?! Looking forward to meeting everyone :) Bring on South America! p.s. I'm on Facebook - so feel free to get in contact. I've got the same profile picture as i've uploaded to this profile page.

David Saevitzon

Live in Toronto - love being on the bike. Looking forward to the ride. 'Graduate' of TDA 2010 and Doomsday 2012.

Laura Martin

I'm a retired Forester and who enjoys getting outside and being active. I'm not a speedy cyclist but do try to finish the day. What better way to see a new country than from a cycle seat. This will be my second tour with TDA.

Greg Field

Retired Electrical Engineer, living in Nanoose Bay, BC Longer cycle trips include across Canada (2008) & New Zealand (2011) Toured & hiked Chile & Argentina in 2014 Quito to Cusco leg of SA Epic 2015 Pub Ride in 2018

Marius Kiefer

After 10 years of working I am looking forward to a well deserved Sabbatical and this amazing trip through Southamerica. Cant wait! : ) Marius

jos malherbe

This will be my 5th tda trip. So i must be addicted to tuna sandwiches and camping, especially bush camps. See you all in Cartagena. Please support the charity i will be raising funds for. Visit http://www.childwelfarechallenge.co.za

Per Sörner

Freelance engineer, musician and reality hacker from the Swedish west coast. Currently on an indefinite sabbatical to explore life, the universe and everything. I find expedition cycling a good way to practise living in the present, enjoy a "simple" 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).

Annegrete Warrer

Hi everybody, I am from Denmark and 59 years old. Until my India adventure in 2011 I did not know a lot about cycling - but after about 3.400 k I kind of catched a bit up on it.. I live in St. Anton, Austria where I live out my passion for skiing. I also began my "cycling career" here - on mountain bike. Last autumn after doing Rome with TDA I went to south of Italy and bought a racing bike. I am about to pick it up now and plan to do some training on it and my mountain bike here in St. Anton. Spent all summer in Denmark and did not bike (did some sailing). I used to own a travel company specialized in ski holidays but since the last 6-8 years I started to do some free lance writing as a journalist and also do some studying in that field. I look very much forward to meet old and new friends in Asia (Hongkong to Penang) - and hope that the chinese traffic is not going to be too tough.. Cheers, Annegrete

Irin Zschokke

Hi everyone, I'm gonna be your medic for the tour. I first heard about Tour d'Afrique 3 years ago, when one of my colleagues asked me, if I would join her for the TdA 2013. Yes I did, and I loved it. I then got to know this kind of traveling as a participant. I now can't wait to be on the "other" side and support you guys to make your South American Epic as fantastic the TdA was for me. Looking forward to meeting all of you. Cheers, Irin

Grant Prenevost

chris hectors

biking to see the world is my favourite way of traveling i live in ghent, an old medieval and beautiful city in the northern flemish part of belgium look forward to meet the team and to bike through latin america

Linda Wille

Tom Jurenka

Long time road-tourer, mostly in BC.

Jessica Wolf

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, and the first half of the North American Epic. I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with old friends and meeting new people.

Britten Ferguson

Four years ago, I sold what I could and gave everything else away before hopping on a 1-way flight to Central America to work for Outward Bound. Captivated by a sense of adventure and the unique complexities of living abroad, I started mountain biking all over Costa Rica which serendipitously led to a job guiding cycling trips throughout the isthmus, logging thousands of miles fueled by rice, beans, and my beloved plantains. Since then, I've also spent significant time working and traveling through South America as an educational instructor, leading students on rugged trekking-intensive courses. I recently started Revolución, a small bike travel business, as a way of combining my passions for traveling by bike, Latin American history, and community building. An eternally optimistic Washington State native, I love a good story and scheming for the next adventure over a cold beer.

Catherine Hanauer

Bicycle and adventure enthusiast. This has been on the bucket list for far too long

Maxime Dionne

"Travelling, moving, waking up every day in a new place means I have a thousand memories of different homes all around the world."

I used to work in an office developing softwares in Quebec City and one day I decided to quit that lifestyle. Being able to take only a trip or two per year wasn’t enough anymore—I needed to travel full time. In 2013, I bought a bicycle (that's right, I only had one from Canadian Tire at the time, but I quickly concluded a Surly LHT would better fit my needs) and went on my first bike tour, solo, starting from home and riding through Canada, the US, and Haiti. A year later, I was in Vancouver looking for a job and someone told me about TDA and their recruitment ad for Australia. I applied, bought an airline ticket to meet TDA in Adelaide, and the following month I was enjoying my new outdoor office from the saddle of my bike!

An incredible country I've cycled through is Haiti. The scenery is stunning and every 100 kilometres is an adventure, but best of all is the local folklore. I have many stories about this mysterious country and one of my favourites is about the werewolf living on the island. The Haitian werewolf is a shape-shifter able to impersonate any animal. It transforms at night—any night, even if there's no moon—and is always looking to feast on human flesh. The only way to avoid an assured death at this creature’s hands is to sleep in a house with a roof. I like to bush camp while cycling and Haiti was no different. I would sleep out in my sleeping bag in the mountains or on the beach, sometimes in my tent, sometimes under the stars. Every night the locals would warn me about the werewolf, genuinely worried I’d be eaten as I slept. Some invited me into their homes, and once a group of five friends volunteer to check on me every hour of the night. People were surprised every morning I woke up alive and some started to believe the werewolf didn't have an appetite for strangers.

There are a few reasons I like to travel so much: for one thing, I always want to have new adventures and face new challenges. And I love discovering new things—food, stories, places, people, cultures … you name it! With TDA, any and everything can happen—we’re constantly exploring the globe and we introduce fresh tours every year. As you can imagine, scouting and leading tours fulfill my desire for the new to perfection.

Alejandro Rico

Hello I am Alejandro Rico and I will be your mechanic during the Tour. I'm Colombian I am excited to participate in the tour and help during this incredible journey. I am 29 years old and since I got my first bike at 8 years old I never stopped riding. We did the Scout of Colombia with Cristiano our tour leader and I can say that the route through my country Colombia is totally amazing; a journey that will like books of the Colombian Nobel of literature Gabriel Garcia Marquez a journey of magic realism. I live in Bogota capital of Colombia. I hope to help all you can so I can contact my personal email :alejandro@bikerscrew.com See you in July.

Adrian Wood

Hi, My name is Adrian and I will be working on the 2015 Tour D'Afrique. I couldn't be more excited. I will have just finished my final year at university and couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than meeting new people who share a common passion.

Michele Kline

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 American Epic our second one was NZ from Auckland to Queenstown 2015. We have completed 2 full tours the Pub Ride 2017 and Viva Italia 2020. It really would be rude not to do this one!

Anthony kline

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.

Jodi Scott

Hi I'm Jodi and I'll be the medic on tour

Peter Sennhauser

Well, my son Britten will be working for TDA from tip to tip on this South American Epic, so it'll be his chance to take care of me rather than the other way around. He's been all over Central and S. America and this will be the first time I'm able to join him on one of his adventures. As a former Seattle bike messenger/bike dork I know bikes. The section I'm doing in the Andes from Lima to Cusco (and beyond) should go a long way toward telling me a little bit more about myself. Midlife crisis? Spiritual journey? Both? My wife signed off on this cage-rattling excursion and pushed me in this direction. Now it's time to push in a new direction - up, up, up to Cusco!

Will Hill

Back for round 3! Excited to be joining the flagship TDA tour. I will be your Assistant Tour Director. Looking forward to meeting you all. Cheers!

Sue Shuttleworth

Aged 60, retired veterinary surgeon. Married and live in Lancashire, UK. Cycled Africa 2015, South American Epic 2015 and Trans Oceania 2016 plus various long distance cycle camping epics in the past with my husband. In 2015 Nairobi to Arusha took us 2 days to cycle. Really happy that I'll get to cycle Nairobi to Arusha now via Uganda and Rwanda. Looking forward to seeing the gorillas, and revisiting Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Also catching up with friends from previous tours.

Mark Lutz

Luiz Morais

Hello, my name is Luiz Morais, I'm from Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais - Brazil, land of mountains, water, historic towns and called as the California of mountain biking by the local cyclists. I'm a graphic designer and rider since childhood starting with BMX. Nowadays i'm a cross country mountain biker and practitioner of enduro and downhill beyond cycletours. I have a small support local business to cycling called Magrela's (Skinny's Bicycles) and I've been preparing over the years to work in this area with first aid courses, guide, bicycle mechanic and in this tour i will work as a professional driver and sweep rider among other common functions. We are ready!

Jean Bernier

Hi, my name is Jean. I grew up in the beautiful town of Québec city. I have been very active since my young age. Physical education teacher for 32 years; now retired. That's my second experience with the Tour d'Afrique: In 2011, I participated in the four months challenging T.D.A.: very proud of my E.F.I. (evrey f... inches) Countries visited on bike: Canada: coast to coast. Vancouver to Inuvik ( Arctic: on the Dempster highway.) Africa: Cairo to Cape Town. India. See you all.

Dirk Pater

My name is Dirk Pater, and I am 61 years old. I'm married to Nellie and we have four children, three daughters and one son. Their names are Dicky, Hans, Rosa & Anne. I grow vegetables by profession. Together with my family and work, excercising is also very important to me. I've been training all my life. When it comes to sport or something that is connected with competition, I'm very fanatical and enthousiastic. Though, in daily life, I'm a calm person. I see the Tour D'Afrique as the ultimate challenge and I hope that I will have lots of fun.

Nellie Pater

Hi, my name is Nellie, I am 57 years jong

Pa Dawson

Born in Laos, raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and currently living and working in Hong Kong. Can't wait to see more of the world on two wheels!

Guillaume Blanchet

Byron Trajan

Swim coach, beginner adventurer

Irena Kharazova

Coming to cycle just short part of the trip from Ethiopia to Kenia

Tom Callahan

Taking a break from a hectic consulting job in Hong Kong. What better way to spend a sabbatical than cycling a continent?! Love cycling but don't get much chance in Hong Kong. There's no better way to see a country though. Looking forward to hitting the road!

Brett Lanham

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.

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!

Daniel Frye

Hello, I'm a retired oceanographer and I've taken up cycle touring as a replacement for running and backpacking, which I'm no longer able to do. My wife and I have done several previous trips with TDA (Orient Express, TransOceania 2014, the South American Epic, and Tour d'Afrique, among others) and we're looking forward to another interesting and challenging experience this year in Australia and New Zealand. Looking forward to meeting all the riders and seeing old friends.

Fred Promoli

Occupation: retired Physical Education and Outdoor Education teacher; former naval officer; Hometown: Guelph, Ontario Current residence: Collingwood, Ontario Former provinces of residence: all but Nfld, NB, PEI TdA experience: Tour d'Afrique 2003; Orient Express 2008; Silk Route 2008; Bamboo Road 2013; Australia 2014; South America 2015, 2017; Lake Winnipeg 2016; (America by Bicycle northern route 2016); Trans Himalaya 2019 Current activities: cycling, motorcycle touring, golf, canoe tripping, xc skiing; bagpipe band member

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.

Jacqueline Nel

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle." Ernest Hemingway

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

Michael Kennedy

This is my 8th TDA tour starting with the first TDA I have also done the first Silk Route, Bamboo Road, South American Epic, Carnival Cycling Expedition and Trans Himalaya as well as the second India Adventure/Hippy trail. I have also cycled across the US twice, Europe, eastern Australia and South America as well as numerous shorter tours around America, Europe and North Africa.

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, Silk Route 2018 and North American Epic 2019) 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.

Phil Kissel

Have done Cairo to Capetown 2013, Registered nurse keen for cultural and cycling challenge

Shirley Frye

Have enjoyed many TDA trips and hope to do many many more. After health issues and Covid, back on the road again. Slower for sure but so looking forward to a part of the world I've never been but hear so many great things about.

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

Mike Vermeulen

I am an experienced bicycle tourist who has cycled across five continents, with South America next on the list. I rode across Africa with TDA in 2013, the other trips were carrying my own gear. I've also cycled China with TDA on Silk Route in 2007. My plan is to ride some of South America on my own and join TDA for the southernmost part starting in Puerto Montt. I'm looking forward to meeting other riders to ride across Patagonia.

Tom Bell

Celebrated turning 65 by riding South American Epic. Loved the experience. I was warned these trips become addictive and was home for only 2 weeks before signing up for Africa epic which was also extrodinary. Felt a real contentment during these trips.

EVAN KENLEY

I have the wanderlust. What better way to do it than by bike? I have traveled extensively and recently did the SAE and Silk Route. What fun and challenging trips. I am hitting that sweet spot in age when the time, energy and desire are there to challenge myself to new adventures. I look forward to sharing this challenging experience with my fellow adventurers.

Mike Jakeman

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

Kim Wright

Andy Sorensen

Discovering recumbent bicycles 15 years ago has turned a hobby into a bit of an obsession. I like to ride on pavement, dirt, and even snow. Whether pulling a trailer to/from the grocery store or riding from Paris to Brest and back, I'm happiest when pedaling.

Angus Mitchell

Barb Sweeney

It's time to explore some more of the world on my bike.

Bronwyn Kelly

Each year I seem to find some new ride to do that is harder than the last. This section will be twice as long last year's cycling trip.

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!

Jacob Warner

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

Thomas Burgess

I am a school principal in California and am riding the first leg from Cartegena to Bogota on my July holiday. I wish I could do the whole ride! I've been training in the Santa Cruz mountains so am hoping to get up and over the mountains in Columbia in a reasonable fashion.

James (Jim) Raddatz

Old and slow.

Bruce Nation

I have a hard time saying no to ridiculously long adventures.

Rebecca Nation

I am two time Ironman finisher, avid mountain biker and backpacker. I just finished the South American Epic this past year. I'm excited for this next adventure and have been training hard with a few IPA's post ride to recover properly

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.

Michael Pope

I am a bicycle mechanic, lover of outdoor adventure, music, cycling, poker and anime. I currently live in Boulder, Colorado. I fell in love with road cycling in 2011 in the mountains of North Carolina and continue to love it to this day. My affection for cycling grew on me, gradually, over the course of several years. From commuting to riding 20 miles, 40 miles, 60 miles. Twice I rode from my house to college and back 115 miles both ways. Eventually, in 2014 I rode 4000 miles across the country with Bike&Build. Since then I have dreamed of long solo-tours through foreign countries. Until then, I will travel as a bicycle mechanic!

Yanez Novoa

Oh to be on the road again. I am still suffering from a bit of cabin fever from the last few years and am excited to join you all in Buenos Aires.

Mark Young

Hello, my names Mark and a Paramedic from England! I'll look forward to meeting you all and helping you in this amazing adventure! See you soon!!

Caragh Rellis

Hi, This is my first international cycle tour, although I'm a regular road cyclist and have done quite a few one day sportives and some multi-day tours around Ireland and New Zealand where I currently live.

Mario Posada

I am a salesperson for a big biotech company in San Diego, where I cover the Latin America market. I am Colombian by birth and American by choice, but Brazilian in my soul.

Karen Mitchell

Amy Jurries

I'm a freelance outdoor and adventure travel writer based in San Francisco. I absolutely love exploring new places on a bike -- there is no better way to travel!

Robert Hooper

Life long athlete who has really got involved with cycling recently. Taking this opportunity to meet up with some family on this trip.

Shanny Hill

“I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world. I learn so much each time I travel and with each new project and new tour we launch.”

I first found a TDA brochure when I was a sales manager at Duke's Cycle in Toronto. I met Henry and convinced him to give me a job in the office. That was over a decade ago now.

My love of all things bicycle started when I was in high school: I lived in the country and my friends were six kilometres away, in town. A bike was the easiest way to meet up with them on weekends. This started my interest in cycle touring and I did my first big trip at age 17 with some friends—a month of biking around Lake Erie, covering 3,400 kilometres from our hometown Kirkland Lake, in Northern Ontario.

Some of my favourite TDA travel memories are from Kyrgyzstan. Also Ethiopia, as well as France. And of course can't forget Namibia, and Ireland, and, well...

I love to travel and I feel very fortunate to have had an eclectic mix of travel experiences. Whether it’s trying fermented mare's milk in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan, eating “spagbol” prepared by our talented tour chefs after a long day of riding, sipping strong espresso in Venice, or sitting street-side for lunch in Paris, my travels always have food at their centre. Food and cycling—the combination can't be beat!

Working with TDA is all about variety—food, cycling, challenge, problem-solving, meeting people from all over the world, getting a glimpse into the way others live elsewhere and gaining knowledge from them, and learning to be humble.

Don Colpitts

The vendors setting up their market stalls in the early morning light, the children joining friends for the walk to school, scooters carrying entire families through busy intersections: the start of another day, in this town, right now, right here, where I am in the midst of the intimate fleeting dance called life. Some make references to "real-life" back at home, call this journey "once-in-a-lifetime", speak of a destination as a finish line. I reject all such attempts to constrain these experiences of exploring the world's peoples, cultures, geographies, religions, customs, daily rhythms of life, as merely attempts to stay sheltered in what is familiar, to be put it in a box to be forgotten. Instead, these journeys are life-changing: challenging what we think we know, can do, can feel, and need.

Maxime Dionne

"Travelling, moving, waking up every day in a new place means I have a thousand memories of different homes all around the world."

I used to work in an office developing softwares in Quebec City and one day I decided to quit that lifestyle. Being able to take only a trip or two per year wasn’t enough anymore—I needed to travel full time. In 2013, I bought a bicycle (that's right, I only had one from Canadian Tire at the time, but I quickly concluded a Surly LHT would better fit my needs) and went on my first bike tour, solo, starting from home and riding through Canada, the US, and Haiti. A year later, I was in Vancouver looking for a job and someone told me about TDA and their recruitment ad for Australia. I applied, bought an airline ticket to meet TDA in Adelaide, and the following month I was enjoying my new outdoor office from the saddle of my bike!

An incredible country I've cycled through is Haiti. The scenery is stunning and every 100 kilometres is an adventure, but best of all is the local folklore. I have many stories about this mysterious country and one of my favourites is about the werewolf living on the island. The Haitian werewolf is a shape-shifter able to impersonate any animal. It transforms at night—any night, even if there's no moon—and is always looking to feast on human flesh. The only way to avoid an assured death at this creature’s hands is to sleep in a house with a roof. I like to bush camp while cycling and Haiti was no different. I would sleep out in my sleeping bag in the mountains or on the beach, sometimes in my tent, sometimes under the stars. Every night the locals would warn me about the werewolf, genuinely worried I’d be eaten as I slept. Some invited me into their homes, and once a group of five friends volunteer to check on me every hour of the night. People were surprised every morning I woke up alive and some started to believe the werewolf didn't have an appetite for strangers.

There are a few reasons I like to travel so much: for one thing, I always want to have new adventures and face new challenges. And I love discovering new things—food, stories, places, people, cultures … you name it! With TDA, any and everything can happen—we’re constantly exploring the globe and we introduce fresh tours every year. As you can imagine, scouting and leading tours fulfill my desire for the new to perfection.

Susan Ecenia

I am about to turn 60 so it's time to go on another bike ride. I rode across the U.S. about five years ago with a tour set up very similar to yours- they carried my gear and provided the meals; I was given a cue sheet in the morning and off I went. I visited Patagonia two years ago and still think of it's beauty often so this seems a perfect fit for me. I am a painter and I listen to the podcast Dirt Bag Diaries while I paint; their motto is Get out and Chase Your Passion- Be relentless and Never Give up. This podcast gave me the courage to sign up for this wonderful adventure.

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, and the first half of the North American Epic. I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with old friends and meeting new people.

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.

Wayne Brown

I Love to cycle, and I love to travel. I have had a great time as a sectional rider in Peru, Bolivia, and New Zealand. I have always wanted to experience Greece and can’t think of a better way to do it than on a 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.

Fred Promoli

Occupation: retired Physical Education and Outdoor Education teacher; former naval officer; Hometown: Guelph, Ontario Current residence: Collingwood, Ontario Former provinces of residence: all but Nfld, NB, PEI TdA experience: Tour d'Afrique 2003; Orient Express 2008; Silk Route 2008; Bamboo Road 2013; Australia 2014; South America 2015, 2017; Lake Winnipeg 2016; (America by Bicycle northern route 2016); Trans Himalaya 2019 Current activities: cycling, motorcycle touring, golf, canoe tripping, xc skiing; bagpipe band member

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.

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!

Ryan Rice

Is there a more challenging, charming, or humbling way to travel the World and discover it’s people and treasures? If there is, I haven’t come across it yet, and perhaps I wish not to. I have been a bicycle mechanic for over ten years and it has led me towards new adventures and friendships. Here’s to clean and lubed chains, straight wheels, and a comfy saddle! See you on the next adventure!

Harrison Banks

I'm a Emergency Medicine doctor based in Manchester UK! I have always been passionate about the outdoors and am a keen fell runner (with my dog, Floki), climber and cyclist. My passion for the outdoors has fueled a desire to work in the extreme environment and I have completed a MSc in Global health, focusing on neglected tropical diseases, and diploma in Expedition Medicine. Since then I have been splitting time between the ER and event/expedition medicine, mostly working on multi-day ultra marathons and long-distance bike rides. Patagonia has been a dream destination of mine for many years so I am extremely honored and excited to be coming along as tour medic!

Juan Farias

Born and bred in Buenos Aires, I am a History teacher and traveller. I'm looking forward to meeting you all and have the privilege to share this experience in our beautiful continent. Nos vemos en unas semanas!

Yanez Novoa

Oh to be on the road again. I am still suffering from a bit of cabin fever from the last few years and am excited to join you all in Buenos Aires.

Nicholas Coe

An outdoor enthusiast that revolves work around hobbies. Skiing in the winter, biking in the summer, and just about every activity in between. Growing up on the farm lands of Vermont, I never was drawn towards cities. Currently live in Boulder CO, and work as a professional photographer. I shoot weddings, sporting events, lifestyle, etc.

Mark Lutz

Felice de Schutter

Hitchhiking through Argentina and Chile 6 years ago first inspired me to travel by bike. Meeting so many long-distance cyclists and listening to their stories I just couldn't help it but buy a bike for my own adventures. And once you start travelling by bike, you can never go back. The freedom it gives you, not having to wait for a bus but just hop on the bike, the perfect pace at which you move through the environment, fast enough to cover some distance, but slow enough to see everything, interacting with the locals whenever you like, occasionally stopping for delicious local meals, and in the evening, finding the most beautiful campspot for setting up the tent, it's unique. Not to forget just feeling good moving in the fresh air all day. Since I fell in love with bikepacking, I spend a couple of months every year on self-supported bikepacking trips. The Alps, Eastern Europe, Dolomites, Italy, and most recently I spent 6 months cycling all the way through Mexico from North to South. Before I started working with TDA, I guided MTB tours crossing the Alps, and, combining my degree in Psychology with my passion for the outdoors, I took troubled kids for month-long hiking trips through the German forests. I am convinced that being outside in nature, especially in combination with sports is the best way to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Being confronted with and testing and overcoming your own limits each day inevitably leads you to become stronger. Share this experience with a like-minded, adventurous community like you meet with TDA, and the positive outcomes double. I'm super excited for this next trip and curious to meet everyone! Hasta luego!

Janet Briggs

I am a retired educator living in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the United States. I love to spend time outdoors either biking or hiking, especially in the National Forest nearby. I completed the Southern Tier Tour across the southern United States this spring, which is the longest tour I've ridden on. I've ridden in quite a few of the states in the US and in two provinces in Canada. I am looking forward to riding in South America and experiencing the culture as well as the beautiful scenery.

Kenny Summers

Brenda Trenholme

I have a passion for most outdoor sports, especially in the mountains. I’m looking forward to exploring the Himalayas and getting to know the other cyclists in this group! By giving slideshows of my cycling adventures, I fundraise for a Canadian charity called the Kenya Education Endowment Fund.

Gary Hoffman

A retired guy from Washington DC who really enjoys biking and meeting new people on these TDA trips.

Herman Sans

This will be our fourth tour with TDA. I like to do it together with my wife Ada . This tour will be a new experience for us . Two countries were we never have been. Good to see it from a bicycle . Hope to meet some new people to spend some nice evenings with

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.

Tom Green

Hugh Green

26- Mechanical Engineer Pirelli - Ready for another TDA Adventure...

Rod Pennington

Hi there fellow adventure travellers....let's go!

Richard Schingler

I love to travel and see the world from the seat of a bicycle. This will be my fifth tour with TDA.

Edward Malden

Normal ( at least I like to think so) chap who enjoys a little adventure & the great outdoors. I like to exercise so I can consume lots of good food , beer, & wine. Life is Good :)

Merrill F

I retired in 2008 and recently turned 70. 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. In 2014 my son and I cycled across SE Asia from Bangkok to Saigon. My first TDA tour in 2016 was the Hippie Trail in India and I then went on to complete an unsupported tour of the U.S. West Coast as well as a U.S. transcontinental west to east. I live in Northern California, have been married for over 30 years, and have 2 sons in their early 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.

Linda Ng

Hi fellow cyclists on this tour!! I’m a baby boomer, semi-retired physiotherapist & outdoor enthusiast! My favorite outdoor activity is riding my bike all year round. I celebrated my 50th birthday by cycling in New Zealand for 5 months, solo & unsupported. It’s been over 10 years now since I’ve done an extended multi-day tour so really looking forward to SAE 2022

Tom Woodard

I'm 58. Family grown up, and making their own way in life. Business organised to allow these sorts of trips. Time for adventure travel again (veteran of Tour d'Afrique 2018 and South American Epic 2022.) Looking forward to meeting a group of like minded people to share the experience.

Rona Lowe

Retired. Love to cycle. Love to travel. Completed the SAE (Buenos Aires to Ushuaia) in 22 and looking forward to another tour.

Ron Lowe

Audax cyclist - 10 years Super Randonneur, Paris-Brest-Paris 2019; Midnight Sun 1200k 2022; London-Edinburgh-London 1500k 2022. Time Trial - all distances, including 24hr; Occasional hill / trail runner and Inadequate swimmer

Brent Macomber

Katie Cosby

Just your average aventurer, looking for something new!

Charles Hughes

Like riding a bicycle, especially in beautiful places with good companions . The proverbial man of few words.

Barbara Smit

Love cycling and travel. Look forward to seeing old friends

Jim Skeel

Barb and I have done several TDA rides. The most difficult part of this trip will be leaving my one old dog at home. Consequently, I am only signing up for the first section.

Kees Kouwenhoven

Born and raised in Holland. I am married for a long time, over 60 years of age and working in agricultural business as an advisor for growers in pest management in greenhouses. Besides travelling, cycling is one of my hobbies so this tour is a good combination of both. With friends we have been cycling a lot through Europe This will be my second expedition outside Europe after doing half of the Silk Route with TDA four years ago. Hoping to make new memories

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.

Kevin McAleer

will carter

I live in Bedford uk.,im 72 and enjoy the challenges of life

Bill Wilson

This will be my 12th 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, the North American Epic, the South American Epic and the Great American Roadtrip . I retired eight 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. I am looking forward to getting together with some old friends and making some new ones.

Anne Thompson

Looking forward to this trip!

Erica Quaile

I live in Guildford, Surrey about 40km outside London. I work for a children's charity called Shooting Star Children's Hospices. I'm an enthusiastic road cyclist and am very much looking forward to doing the Carretera Austral .

Deric Quaile

I am retired after 30 years in Shell International focusing on environmental management of Shell operations worldwide and having been based in various countries, including Chile. I was born and grew up in Zimbabwe, attended university in South Africa, and worked in Zimbabwe and South Africa before joining Shell in the UK. I now live in Guildford, south west of London. I am very involved in Lions Clubs International, a charitable service organisation, and carry out other volunteering roles. I very much enjoy outdoor activities with trout fishing ranking top. I am relatively new to cycling and finding it an enjoyable way to explore the lovely hilly and wooded sites across the Surrey Hills around Guildford. I am married to Erica, who is also intending tackling the Carretera Austral. We have two grown up daughters who live in London.

Guy Miles

Enjoy cycle adventures, with or without friends. have been doing longer distances since a car accident stopped other sports.

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, and the first half of the North American Epic. I’m looking forward to sharing this adventure with old friends and meeting new people.

maggie williamson

next TDA trip, exploring Morocco! looking forward to the sights sounds smells and food of Morocco. Travelling through and spending time in a desert will be a new experience… always good to experience something new.

Cindy Smith

This will be my fifth trip with TDA, having ridden TransEuropa, Bamboo Route, the first half of the NA Epic and SA Epic, Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. I have also ridden gravel from Canada to Mexico on the Great Divide. Looking forward to this adventure in Morocco.

Alain Roy

I’m 31% dad, 19% IT Project Manager, 16% skier, 2 % Kitter, 5% swimmer, 8% sailor, 19% good-friend and 100% cyclist. Looking forward for my second TDA trip with my son. Alain

Jay Ozturk

I am a real estate broker living in Toronto, Canada. I love to travel and I think cycling is best way to do it. I conquered the Orient express and had a blast. TDA has the right balance of distance, and days off, however the hotels could be chosen a little more wisely. Looking forward to meeting new friends and some previous ones. Andes will be painful, but a good steak and Malbec will make up for it! Jay Ozturk

James (Jim) Raddatz

old and slow

Marnie (Margaret) Souter

I retired in 2022 and immediately went on my first TDA adventure - the South American epic. I loved it so much I'm signing on for more ! Looking forward to this new adventure in Morocco with like-minded adventurous cyclists.

Neil Bradburn

Retired Police Officer. Single Enjoy cycling and keeping fit in general. Love travelling.

Peter McCartney

I am from Bristol, England and will be joining a number of good friends we have met on previous TDA tours (this is my fifth one). Apart from cycling, I do Park runs and have entered the Polar Bear Challenge this winter. Do a lot to support one of our local primary schools with very high number of immigrant pupils and also our local food bank. Chair of our local Residents Association. Very interested in recycling and renewables (but frustrated by the politics of both).

Francois Tardif

I am very glad to join this trip . My sports are more Xcountry ski and sailing so i start to traine in cycling .

Kim Wright

Greg Smith

Ian Hamer

Luca Bortolami

I am an (almost) 54 years old Italian man that loves cycling and traveling. I have been able to retire at an early age in order to purse these two interests, and TDA expeditions where one of the reasons why I really wanted to gain full control of my schedule while still relatively young. I am and have always been single and have no kids.

mark lawrence Strauss

Anthony Rock

I'm a Canadian-American and split my time between urban urban life Brooklyn, NY and on the Northumberland Strait in Atlantic Canada. The Golden Buddha will be my 5th ride with TDA.

Stephen Owen

Cycling since school age chasing buses to school, and now aged 57, I have stepped up cycling in the last 10 years with weekend rides and endurance 300/500km rides in 24hrs, wisdom/body is now telling me that multi-day riding is more fun... More recently cycled across Atlas mountains North Africa, Sri Lanka, and recently TDA Madagascar. The Tour d'Afrique 2023 trip will be exciting and push me to the limits and beyond, TDA Madagascar May 2019 recharged my batteries for a few years and this trip is long overdue and will scratch the itch again. It always brings a smile to my face once I've sat down at end of the day with coffee in hand and consider how lucky I am.

Vanessa De Haan

I have cycled recreationally for many years. In the past few years, however I have up cycling more seriously meaning trained for several Fondo's and other fun rides. The cycling community is a great way to ride with other like minded people, plus it is a fun way to stay physically active and enjoy the out doors. I have taken up Gravel biking recently as well which, has been a great way to enjoy more off the beaten trails. The hard grit that cycling requires and demands of you at times is so enjoyable. And then at the very end of the ride to look back and think "YES" I accomplished that!.....I did is so rewarding. I love the challenge that cycling can offer if you are game to take it on! Hence, the desire to complete the South American Epic (complete tour) in 2026 with my dearest loving partner Keith Mountjoy. He is a beautiful soul who equally enjoys and embraces all that two wheels has offer. Vanessa de Haan Calgary, Alberta Canada

Keith Mountjoy

Mike Mossing

Retired professor - Biochemistry / Molecular Biology. Bike commuter since college, recreational rider for the last 30 years. Bicycle and pedestrian advocate at the campus, city and state level. Tour D'Afrique Alum. Spent the pandemic years helping to coordinate Covid testing, ready for a new adventure!

JOHN O'BRIEN

Dan Croxen-John

Father of Cerys (22) and Huw (19), partner to Jane - living in York Keen cyclist and part of York Pedallers CEO of AWA digital This is my first long distance ride. I will be stopping in Cape Town to see friends and meet up with my daughter.

Grant Mcintosh

Hi im a 64 yearold Farmer from Christchurch New Zealand. Enjoy cycling NZ cycle trails and have completed to Escape Adventures tours to Madagaser and China.Looking forward to the journey and challenge TDA cycle tour will bring.

Karen Cook

Maz Crotty

Originally from the U.K I have lived in the U.S for last 22 years. Cycling and travel are my passions and combining the two to explore new countries is my goal. Gaining an understanding of the culture and history of a place whilst cycling through the beauty of the natural landscapes will be challenging but offers a reward I don't think could be replicated. Add to that the incredible humans you meet along the way and you have the adventure of a lifetime. Signing up for the start of the South American 2026.

Brad Gray

Tour D'Afrique Alumni 2019. Morocco 2022. Silk Route was a goal but geopolitics threw a wrench into my plans. South America is a challenge I now embrace. Brad

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.

Paul Lutz

Dwanda Newman

Helmut Schuett

Hi everyone. I am living in the south of Germany in Stuttgart. Now I am retired and so I have plenty of time for my preferred hobby, which is biking. It is the first time for me to participate in a TDA tour. In the past years I did many tours in Europe with a group or alone. So I did several crossings across the Alps and many bike packing tours from Germany to other European countries. In the first 2 weeks of June I crossed Spain and Portugal in a solo tour. Now I am looking forward to get in touch with South East Asia. I think it is the best way to experience the countries and cultures by bike, where we can also get in touch with the people. See you soon in Hanoi!