Claudia Dippold

Hi, I am Claudia and - YES!! - I will start to ride through Africa just having become fourty on the second day of the tour! I will for sure NOT be the fastest rider, since one of my biggest hobbies is photography. I am sure that one of my problems will be lack of space on the hard drive.. To be honest, my even more favourite sport before cycling is inline skating. Yes, I did already skate in Africa. Egypt. Luxor. The Valley of Kings... but since the streets of Sudan are said to be worse than in Egypt, I will also bring my bicycle! Looking forward to meet you all in Cairo!

Jennilea Hortop

Seeing the world is one of my passions in life. I have been living in Bangkok, Thailand for the passed four years. I could not resist the opportunity to tour across one of the most amazing, inspiring continents in the world. I am taking a year off from teaching to travel and bike through Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal and across Africa. Let the year of adventures begin!

Mark Lake

I am a 60 year old retired geophysicist, living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have been married to Katie for 33 years, and we have 4 kids and 4 grand kids. I was born in Tabora, Tanzania, and this trip will be my first visit to the country in 50 years.... My experience in extended mileage bike touring is limited, although I have been participating in Triathlon for the last 20 years.

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.

Steven Coventry

I'm Steve. I live in Vancouver, Canada, and try to spend a lot of time on my various bikes - mostly mountain biking, with some road riding and a healthy dose of commuting/puttering around town thrown in for good measure. I first heard of the TdA early this year, and immediately put it into that 'wouldn't that be awesome to do some day' category. As I thought about it more and more, I decided that there is no time like the present, so 'some day' morphed into 'right now'. I'm ridiculously excited about this upcoming adventure, and can't wait for January!

Michel Hendrix

I am 68 years old and in summertime I do cycling together with my wife and friends in winter speed skating. In 2014 I was participant 0f TDA from Nairobi to Cape Town. I enjoyed it very much, all those impressions and the nice people I have met on the Tour. Cycling through some beautiful countries of central America will be my next goal.

Mike Jakeman

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

Amanda D Cowley

Ina de Visser

31 year old Dutch living in Germany. Fanatic road cyclist. Enthusiastic but inept mountain biker. Looking forward to combine my passion for cycling and my love for Africa!

Ross Mallinson

Australian living in England. Slow plodding cyclist - falls off mountain bikes - quite good at getting lost.

David Crane

I'm a student from Lawrenceville, NJ. I'll be biking this year to raise money for Conservation International.

Birgit Hermann

I am an enthusiastic, active and adventure-seeking individual. I will leave the corporate rat race for a while to cure my long running travel bug - by the time we cross the finish line in Cape Town, I will have travelled, lived and worked in some 50 countries. It has been a childhood dream of mine to spend an extended time in Africa and I can't think of a better way to start this journey than by bike. Originally from Germany, I have lived in New Zealand for the last 8 years, enjoying the great outdoors. I am a keen surfer, runner, snowboarder, rock climber, scuba diver, mountain biker and photographer. A mtb-er by heart, I will have to get used to the long daily road distances of the TDA - but can't wait for the challenge! Look forward to celebrating my birthday with all of you like-minded, similarly-mad people in Khartoum on Day One on 10 January!

Peter Hargreaves

In 2014 my wife ,Anne, & I having been married for 30 years .in celebration,(desperation) undertook the Tour d' Afrique , on the basis that if we deferred the trip we might never go. We completed some 4,700 kilometres through Sudan, Ethiopia & Kenya, when just over the border into Tanzania I was hit by a truck resulting in 6 cracked ribs & unconsciousness, which meant I was forced to withdraw from the ride. I have decided to join the 2017 TDA in Arusha , where my TDA ended in 2014 . So assuming (fingers crossed) I complete the journey to Cape Town this will complete my personal TDA . Anne hopes to join us at Victoria Falls & ride from there to Cape Town. .

Ian Wright

Hi, I'm Ian and I'm a British veterinary surgeon. My family are South African and lots of them are still based there, so I've been lucky enough to visit a few times. I've only ever seen the bits in between from the air though, so the Tour should be the ultimate trip to see the cousins!

Jessica Morris

Hi Everyone! My name is Jess Morris and I am from Toronto, Canada (but born and raised from Vancouver, Canada). I have been working in finance for the past two years after graduating from business school in 2011. I needed something exciting to look forward to and my colleague mentioned Tour d'Afrique. I have never been to Africa but have traveled quite extensively across North America, Asia, Europe and South America. Africa has been top of the list for me for some time and biking has been a recent passion over the past couple years. I am really looking forward to this trip

Michael Lazzara

Hello everyone! My name is Michael, and I am from Florida. Just finished up college at the University of Miami with a degree in Neuroscience. I love traveling and adventure as I'm sure you all do. I had the opportunity to do the race this year, so I won't let it slip by!

Alessandro Mauri

Hey! My name is Alessandro, I'm 22 years old and I'm half german and half italian. I study mechanical engineering in germany and I will ride with you from Cairo to Cape Town. My motivations vary from the search for adventure to the need of a time-out from my exhausting study path. I'm looking forward to get to know all of you and I'm more than happy to participate in the Tour d'Afrique 2014 with you! P.s.: I'm racing the Tour d'Afrique just for fun :-)

Leah Ellis

I'm 23 years old from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. I just finished my Masters in chemistry, focusing on rechargeable batteries. I heard about the TDA as a teenager, and always thought back to it as the coolest adventure possible! I love cycling (my feet barely ever touch the ground), but I am in no way a cycling purist. I started out riding a fixie, then an old English three-speed, then a few vintage road bikes. The bike I ride now is a rusty POS, but hopefully fixing it up over the summer will give me lots of practice for what's to come:)

Sally-Anne Dunn

After riding Nairobi to Cape Town in 2014 I'm coming back to finish it all off. Much less physically prepared this time, but I'm really keen to get started!

Erica Otten

Hi! I'm Erica and I'm from Anchorage, Alaska. I've never been to Africa and am excited to experience new places and cultures. The longest bike ride I've been on was two weeks and it wasn't long enough. I'm looking forward to some time away from work just enjoying an epic adventure. I will unfortunately have to miss most of winter in Alaska, but I'll dream of skiing and maybe even shoveling snow while I'm sweating it out on the hot desert days. I look forward to meeting you guys in Sudan!

Martyn Wells

I've lived in Kenya as a child and in Cape Town a few years ago so as soon as I came across TDA I wanted to link them and see Africa from a different perspective by riding from one to the other. Then there are brothers-in-law to visit in Windhoek and Cape Town and my birthday on the day we finish. Looking forward to joining you in Nairobi.

Bina Trahan

Ahhhh, first person bios! Here goes....Hello! My name is Bina and I currently live in Central Pennsylvania with my husband, Justin. I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors Degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. I am the Event Director for the Philly Bike Expo and also do some marketing for my dad's bicycle framebuilding company, Bilenky Cycle Works. I enjoy cycling, gardening, being a tea snob, playing with cats (any animal really) and traveling. Looking forward to meeting you all on Tour d'Afrique!!

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.

Alex Percival

This will be my 4th TDA tour, having done the Silk Route and the Tour d'Afrique twice now. I will be doing my best to keep everyone's bikes on the road. Looking forward to this next adventure!

Justin Trahan

"I live in central Pennsylvania with my wife. I was born and raised in Texas about an hour west of Houston. I graduated from Texas A&M University and have been with the same service company since graduation in 2006. I look forward to everything the Tour has to offer. Some of my passions include cycling, photography, fly fishing, and working in our garden."

Yanez Novoa

Hi Everyone. This is my second tour in Africa and am very excited to be part of this trip and especially excited for those who are first timers as you are in for a treat. My job is to keep you fed so that you guys don't eat each other as that tends to ruin the experience... See you in Khartoum!

Hannah Klepacz

Tour Medic (Nurse) Raised in the Great British countryside, I love nothing better than being outdoors. I am never happier than when I am halfway up a mountain and have completed many adventurous expeditions in the UK and abroad, including those on 2 wheels. I’m also a qualified nurse, and have specialised in emergency medicine. I have spent the majority of my career elbow deep in trauma working in a busy emergency department. I have also been lucky to use my nursing skills abroad in Africa and with the Royal Air Force. I hope to combine my love of the great outdoors with my nursing capabilities and look forward to joining the TDA 2014 as an expedition medic.

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.

Menno Arendz

Having done Cairo to Vic Falls in previous years, in 2014 I will do the last bit to Cape Town. Looking forward to join you all in Livingston!

Gillian Millett

Hi I'm Gillian & I'll be your Race Director/Assistant Tour Leader. I've caught the travel bug and have been lucky enough to visit over 50 countries (so far). Bikes and travel are the two things that rule my life so this is a great way to combine them. When it comes to bikes I've always thought it's that you ride not what you ride. Keep an eye because there are some great bikes around Africa (and tree-shaded repair stop-shops). In the past I've worked as a tour guide and as a race/events coordinator in North America, Australia and Europe so it's possible I've been in your area before! Looking forward to meeting all of you and experiencing the everything of TdA 2014.

Erma de Boer

Hi, I'm Erma. Having seen the documentry "Where are you go" about the Tour d'Afrique at the Amsterdam bicycle filmfestival in May 2010, it was my dream to participate in the Tour d'Afrique. Three years on I have signed up for this big challange: I'm going to cycle from Nairobi to Cape Town and I'm looking forward to meet all the other participants and biking trough this beautiful continent.

Chris Dick

I work in Kingston and when I can get away, I like to do adventure travel. Laying on a beach at an all inclusive isn't for me. I ran into the Tour in Nairobi about 6 years ago and have had the trip in mind ever since. The problem is, I was never really an avid cyclist. I've been working on it, riding after work and all day on weekends but I'm not gonna lie, it kind of scares me as the start approaches. Save some supper for me cuz I'm sure I'll be the last one to arrive in camp each day.

Pier Spinazze

Hi there I am a 28 year old doctor finishing up my year of community service in surgery at a large public hospital in Johannesburg. Traversing Africa has always been high up on my bucket list and what better way to do it than on a bike. Unfortunately due to time constraints I will be leaving the tour in Nairobi and continuing down by car to get to Cape Town by the end of March. Looking forward to all the good the bad and the ugly of the tour and making new friends along the way.

Anne Davenport

I am the "other half" of Peter Hargreaves. Excuse the confusion as, despite 29 years of marriage, I insist on keeping my passport in maiden name. This trip will be an opportunity to see parts of Africa I'm unlikely to get to see again so when Peter proposed this trip I thought I'd better come too. Having read some of the blogs etc now I'm not so sure! It will certainly be a challenge so I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Paul ten Brummelhuis

As former participant in the Tourdafrique ( in sections) and the Silkroute (2016) and the first section to Calgary together with my daughter Lieke, and Westafrica en Velo 2018, I will do now the last two sections again .

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

Scott Carmichael

So I'm an latecomer to the trip, having signed up November 18, so I've got a lot of catching up to do, paperwork wise! I'm a Calgary, Canada native, who despite big dreams of leaving and living abroad, still lives here! I spent 10 months in New Zealand, and though it was nice to come home, my dream of adventure lingers.. I've been thinking about doing this trip since hearing about it earlier in the spring, I think while TDA 2013 was on... I haven't done a lot of bike touring, but the one multiday tour I went on was a blast and I longed for more.. so why not go all the way, right?! I was training hard the first half of the year to do my first half ironman at the end of July, but my real passion is running! Sadly, doing an 11000+ km running tour is pretty much out of the question right now, so it's time to get back on the bike and rebuild those saddle "muscles" for the long rides ahead! I look forward to meeting everyone in Sudan (SUDAN, everyone! I can't believe it...), anticipating an amazing 4 month adventure with you all!

RANDY PIELSTICKER

after 5 years without a PVM bar, I've started to develop a twitch? I have to go back!

Klaus Michael Jensen

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

Helen Salvestrin

Oops, 32 days and counting till we go! Talk about a latecomer :) I'm a slightly bonkers Aussie, with a little extra time on my hands. I've done a wee bit of mountainbiking, a wee bit of touring, a wee bit of work in Africa, so what fantastically better way to mix them all up than TdA! It's great to see so many other slightly-bonkers people ready for some African fun and games. Ooh, and I can order a coffee in Amharic - my biggest asset to the Tour :)

Bradley Cossitt

I am 27 years old. I took the year off working to travel. I have been to Thailand, Malaysia, Climbed to Base Camp of Mount Everest,Paris, Italy and France. Following that I went to Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, and Machu Picchu. I have just returned from a bike tour from Seattle Washington to San Francisco. Several years ago I rodethe Alaskan Highway.

Tobias Wolf

Oliver Lange

Hi to all of you! I love to MTB in the European Alps! I do that for more than 20 years! I also have been many times in Africa! The combination of my hobbies(MTB, Mountains, climbin and so on) and the African continent: This really sounds to be a very good combination :-) I really look forward meeting you all in Malawi (at Lilongwe). There is just only one more thing I want to ask you: You have a very special person riding with you: She is my very and only sweetheart! The only person that makes my heart jumps! She rides with you the whole TDA14 (from Karthoum to Cape Town): Claudia! Please do me a favour and take GOOD CARE OF HER!! She is only borrowed! She is needed back at home! I love her! Cheers, Olli

Alex Ellis

I'm starting out on a year of independent travel. I found TDA when researching for activities / challenges in Africa. I was immediately obsessed with the idea of seeing Africa from ground level over so many miles!! Unfortunately, the whole tour would have been both unfeasible and as I only found about the 2014 TDA on the eve of it's departure in January, I had to look down the line to some of the later stages!! I had always planned to base myself around Tanzania and Malawi on my travels in Africa. So when i saw that the tour passed through Tanzania and Malawi and on to Victoria Falls I new that the TDA was the perfect challenge and start to my world exploration. After the tour I will be heading back to Malawi, an old school teacher of mine set up an orphanage there where I wish to volunteer.

Amy Klepacz

Hi, my name's Amy,I'm 25 and the twin sister of your tour medic. I'm also a nurse, in the Royal Air Force, so my boss has had no problem letting me off for another crazy adventure! Think she may have a psych assessment done on me when I return as this is my idea of a fun thing to do in my leave! Looking forward to some fun times, wild camping, punctures and seeing my sister again, even if shes does inflict pain popping my blisters!

Isabella de la Houssaye

I am a former lawyer and banker, mother of five, and a partner in a retail store/auction house/restaurant in Philadelphia, PA called Material Culture (www.materialculture.com). I love anything and everything to do with adventure, travel and exercise and do a lot of swimming, climbing, biking and ultra running all over the world. I will be riding several segments of the Tour d'Afrique to support my son, David Crane, who is riding the entire Tour, god willing :)

Dag Brattli

From Tromsø, Norway at 69 degrees north. I'm married to Vibeke, and have 2 boys, Kenneth (18) and Eric (22). Work as a software engineer for Cognite. Ride my bike all year. In the summer I love to ride my bike around Malangen, and in winter I use my fat-bike on the snow. Btw. also the lucky winner of the 2014 Squirt Lube TDA competition, so I have cycled this section before (2014, 2017) with a fat-bike (twice). The goal is to use a "normal" bike this time around.

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!

Cameron Odro Kilgour

I recently retired from teaching in the Toronto District School Board in the secondary panel. I began teaching in Bhutan as a volunteer with World University Service of Canada. At the time of my two-year contract in Bhutan, I was practising immigration law in downtown Toronto. I am a lifelong traveller and cyclist. My family consists of my wife Cathy, a teacher, our daughter Michelle, an artist-entrepreneur who runs a fair trade clothing business called the Fairies Pijamas, and our son Josh, a university student at Guelph. We have spent two years in Melbourne, Australia on teaching exchanges. In the lead up to the Tour, Cathy and I will ride in the Great Victoria Bike Ride (a 600 km. ride along the Great Ocean Road from Mt. Gambier to Geelong). My connection to the Tour is through Brian Hoeniger, a friend who does logistics for the Tour and has done it in two halves. I know Henry through Brian as they have a shared history working in Africa with CPAR. I am very keen to cycle top to bottom and learn as much as I can along the way. And the scenery promises to be inspirational.

Catharine Daly

After doing the Tour d'Afrique in 2014 I was hooked. I had to ride another. When the Journey to the East opened I knew that that was for me as I have never visited Korea or Japan....can't wait.

Christopher Clyde

Looking forward to cycling Korea and Japan, seeing a few old friends from TDA 2014, Hippy Trail 2019.

David Grosshans

Jambo! I have quit my job selling Solar systems to experience something totally different. I am a keen road cyclist and mountain biker who loves travel, meeting people and learning about different cultures. Having ridden my bikes in Australia, New Zealand and the European Alps - I felt I needed something more challenging. Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya were some of the most challenging rides I have done. Take my advise, don't ride a cyclo-cross bike with 35mm tyres through the Sudanese desert...... I hope I can avoid all mishaps to achieve EFI. It has been a great experince so far and I have met like minded people (= slightly crazy) on the tour and shared some great moments and some great bike riding. I am looking forward to more unexpected surprises Africa has in store.

David Wolfendale

Looking for a challenge that will help train my mind and body. I am a fire fighter and help maintain three hotels in my village. Looking forward to experience new culture and meet friends. I've traveled a little and this will be a great adventure.

Diederik Heisey

I'm 26 years old from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I've been cycling casually as a commuter for most of my life. Several years ago a friend mentioned the TdA to me and I looked it up. I was intrigued, but didn't really think of it as something I would do. It never really escaped my mind though. Every now and then it would pop up again and I would read another blog or check out a book someone had written about it. Eventually I was hooked and registered. I then realized that while I did love cycling, I had never done any long distance cycling and might end up hating the tour after a few days! I remedied this by cycling across Canada this summer and can safely say I am very excited for the tour. Looking forward to meeting all of you in Khartoum!

Henri Beunders

Sitting too much behind this desk, 24hrs if I have to, and this picture is 4years old! So, in the saddle for 12 hrs? We'll try, love travelling, love Africa. going to join you in Nairobi, and will wave you goodbye at Victoria Falls, if you are not in Capetown by then. We'll see, looking forward to it!

Sigrid Mogard

Hi! I am a 29 year old girl from northern Norway, and I work as a management consultant. I'm really looking forward to having a break from my everyday life, and to have the adventure of a lifetime on my bike through Africa! I love to ride my bike, but I don´t have advanced experience with long-distance cycling. I have never competed in a bike race before. My motivation for attending the TDA 2014 is primarily to experience the African culture and nature up close, with a diverse group of cyclists. And I also look forward to test my mental and physical strength during the trip. I am looking forward to meeting each and everyone of you!

Sonia Davies

Hi everyone, I'm from Geraldton Western Australia. Currently managing a 24/7 Gym and Personal Training. I am a bit of a Hiker and a Biker having completed a few of each around the world. I heard about TDA just after a hike in China and thought Wow that is the next on my bucket list. My friends think I have a pretty crazy bucket list. I'm counting down the days to Khartoum and meeting you all.

Tim Chaning-Pearce

Hey dudes, Im a kiwi in need of adventure. Haha And so I choose a bike ride in Africa and land up in Northern Germany to do some training. So if you think you wont have done enough training, dont worry I would have done less. I work overseas for 10 months of the year. I enjoy going for a ride, and my friend dared me to enter this challenge. I entered and she declined to enter herself. So I guess I win. Not sure what to write, but all advice will be much appreciated I

John Swart

Hi folks, I'm John Swart form Fonthill, Ontario, Canada - the home of Steve Bauer. I'm a cycling advocate, a humour columnist for Pedal Magazine, our national competitive cycling rag, and I enjoy cycle touring and a challenge. It's been a couple years since my last cycling adventures; a solo ride from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins along the Carretera Austral in Chile, and the End-2-End Sportif across Cuba. TDA has been on the list for a while, and hopefully the two northern sections will be an introduction to the culture of Islam, which will be totally new to me. I'm pressing the top end of the age limit, so looking forward to making this the year!

Jaap Brasser

My name is Jaap Brasser from the Netherlands, I’m 60 years old and I signed up for the Tour d’Afrique for an adventure of a lifetime as well as the ultimate psychical & mental challenge. 

I've never been to Africa before and for me this is a great way to get to know and truly experience this continent, all these beautiful countries, landscapes and cultures from a perspective normal travelling would never allow you to see. 

I’m quite a sport fanatic and have been cycling through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy before with highlights such as the ‘Tour de Marmot’ and ‘Liège-Bastogne-Liège’. Furthermore I have been speed skating for over 20 years and completed speed skating matches such as the ‘Elfstedentocht’ and the ‘Weissensee’. 

However, none of these achievements will compare with the Tour d’Afrique and I think that is what excites me most about this tour.

Neil Kennedy

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.

Johan Versluis

Catriona Lyle

Hi I have wanted to make the journey from Cairo to Cape Town for a long, long time. A friend, Ingy, told me about the TDA about 8 years ago and I told her I thought it was a mad idea.......then I read the book "The EFI Club" by David Houghton which confirmed my thoughts that is was indeed a "mad idea". But a seed had then been sown in Neil's (my lead-out man) head......and the more he talked about it the more I started to believe I could do it and the more excited I got about the idea. So now after many years the stars have finally aligned themselves so that we can do the southern half of the trip and we hope to make it back to do Cairo to Nairobi another time. I'm from Swaziland and have been very lucky to visit a couple of the places we will travel through - very excited about heading back to these places and of course about discovering new places! Really looking forward to meeting all of you and not being "on call" (I'm a vet) for 9 weeks!!!!! See you in Nairobi - hope you're all still going strong by the time we meet you!!! Cats

Karen White-Smith

Hi. I am from the east coast of Canada (Halifax, to be exact). I am 60 and retired for 1.5 yrs from a job as an environmental scientist. A retirement gift from myself was the TDA tour of Africa...I finished unscathed (for the most part). I love to travel and ride my bike but I hate packing for these trips and trying to fit everything into too small a space. I had enough cycling through desert in Sudan, so I will join you in Adelaide. I am looking forward to meeting the new cyclists, as well as, meeting a couple of familiar faces from other TDA tours. It will be great! Right?

Timothy Illes

Hello! I am Tim, from Cairns, Australia. I was born in Cape Town south Africa, and I cannot wait to cycle to my birth place from Egypt! I am a fanatical cycler and I ride every day. In terms of long distance riding, 2 years ago I cycled the east coast of Australia, with a 400$ bike from a second hand shop and some Cheap panniers and loved it! Hopefully 4 months will be just as fun! An experience like the Tour d'Afrique seems so ridiculous, that naturally it is something I need to do! Sorry mum… I am also raising money for a medical-grade distiller in Ethiopia, so that the hospital can have sterile water and make IV fluid. I'm loving my training for the event, and I can't wait to get started in what will probably be the most amazing and tough experience of my life

Savannah van Vliet

I'm Savannah, from northern Canada. I have never done a long-distance tour before although I am no stranger to rough camping. I love the outdoors and a challenge. Most winters I attend university but wanderlust has gotten the best of me. I am so excited for this adventure and am absolutely counting down the days until I leave for Cairo.

Andy Brookstein

Hello all, my age is 65 and I am presently a retired ex civil construction contractor. Schooled in Durban 1967 Married to Maureen (ex TDA 2015). Three children Peter, David and Lara from a previous marrage. No great sporting achievements other than great enthusiasm in rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, squash, cross country, road running, walking and lastly cycling. I completed TDA 2015 and feel the need to revisit the tour. It was great.

Justus Bornemann

Hi, I am Justus I am 19 Years old and from a little town in northern Germany called Leer. I just finished school this summer and now I am going to have an adventure this Year before I will go to university. I want to study medicine but it is very hard to get a place to study this in Germany. Last summer I visited Kenya for running-training and this holidays made me very interested in Africa and that is why I am here. To prepare for the TDA i will travel through south east asia in November and December (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia) - of course by bike. When I am not riding my bike I like to play the Guitar or the Ukulele or to do other sports. Hopefully we will have a very nice time together in the most beautiful continent on our earth - AFRICA!

Kendall Alford-Madden

I am from Durham North Carolina. This will be my fourth trip with TdA and the most adventurous one to date. I can't wait to re-unite with old friends and meet new ones. I am scared I'll admit, but I will singing and laughing down the road hopefully.

Will Rafferty

I am from Tasmania, Australia and completed the Tour d'Afrique in 2015 as a rider. I enjoyed the experience so much that it compelled me to seek work with TDA Global Cycling. I have since worked on the Trans-Oceania & Oh Canada Tours and am looking forward to what i expect to be the best trip yet! I look forward to getting to know you all :)

David Snell

I have been living and working in Norway since 1992. After many years dreaming of travelling through Africa and later reading about TDA, I finally have the trip of a lifetime planned. I cannot wait to get my gear together, meet everyone in Cairo and get on the road, this will be a fantastic experience. I have always had a passion for cycling and the experience it gives to all your senses as you pass through cities, towns and countryside. The fact that this tour is also helping Africa is a bonus and I hope that everyone reading about the 2015 expedition will contribute generously.

Sergio De Arrola

Im Sergio de Arrola, a spanish film photographer. My last long distance travel was from New York to LA riding alone in the end of 2013. Now I´m editing a book about the trip. Mi intention in the Tour d'Afrique is the same. I want to capture the people, the landscapes and the details of Africa from my point of view. I want to ride the 12000 km with a smile in my face! I know its gonna be like that!!

Mary Jane Winch

I am doing this trip to celebrate my 50th birthday. It will be my 7th continent. It's been a long time since I did a supported trip. It will be nice to know I will have a camping spot and a meal waiting for me every night.

Ben Evans

Hey folks. I'm Ben and I'm a runner and wannabee author from Guildford in Surrey UK. Currently sitting in an office writing my dissertation for my MA in Creative Writing and dreaming about cycling the world. Can't wait to actually do it! I've cycled over the Alps and US West Coast, but have never been to Africa and not sure how to put up a tent - the tour is going to push me well out there! Looking forward to meeting everyone else brave/crazy enough to get on board.

Mark Peterson

I'm a 62 year old family physician from Juneau, Alaska. I'm married with 3 adult children. I currently do locum tenens work (temp work for doctors) all over the world. This has provided some great adventures on all our globes continents over the past few years. I completed the TDA Africa tour in 2015 and never thought I would want to do another expedition ride, but the rides "get under your skin" so I'm back looking to cross my third continent on a bicycle.

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.

Marek Poplawski

Hi, I’m Marek from Canada and this will be my third tour with TDA. I started cycling in 2014, and signed on for my first trip with TDA in 2015, through Africa. I cycled 10500km of the over 12000km trip. It was an incredible experience; definitely a trip of a lifetime. Then in 2016, I completed five hard weeks of cycling, through the mountainous terrain of Central America, with stops in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. I climbed 41061m in elevation, and cycled the total distance of the tour, 2600km. In doing so, I achieved the illustrious TDA EFI designation; meaning I rode Every F#&!ing Inch of the journey! It was challenging mentally, physically, and tested one’s endurance and equipment. I’m happy to say that my bike and I, met all the demands of that test. The experience was incredible, and I will treasure the memories forever. Now I look forward to meeting the people on the Bamboo Road tour, and making new memories.

Jonathan Hemp

I am now retired after a varied career in civil engineering, shipping, aviation and property asset management. I have been happily married for 43 years to Marje, and we have a daughter, a son and two grandchildren, all living in Cape Town, after spells working abroad. I have been cycling most of my life, and Marje and I share this, as well as interests in birdwatching, travel, reading and learning. We have travelled widely, including to several of the African countries the TDA traverses.

Michael McCabe

I just completed the Tour d'Afrique Cairo to Capetown epic adventure this past May. I did a cross America bike trip the previous year. These trips have turned me into a restless traveler. I looked up what the next trip would be as I have become restless again. This Ruta Maya came up and there was a cancelation so here I am.

Mike Lantz

Very eager to cross the continent again. Once just wasn't enough. Also looking forward to making new friends and enjoying great adventures along the way.

Kevin Kail

Life long tech geek traveler inventor, so looking forward to exploring Africa. Currently enjoying an amazing healthy new adventure in Hong Kong and rides in Taiwan (toroko gorge is amazing) as prep for TDA Distance runner, hockey goalie (yes the teeth and nose rebuilt), triathlete, skydiver, pilot. Have lived traveled and worked in North America, Europe and Asia. Favorite meal 3am thai food on the streets of Bangkok with my GF. Life philosophy - "Live to Play Another Day"

Nathaniel Freeman

I've spent the past year in South Africa working at the Constitutional Court and I'm thrilled to be following that experience with a bike ride across the continent. I look forward to meeting all of the riders and staff who will be taking part in this adventure!

Liam Mitchell

I'm 32, work in London and have been looking with envy at the riders taking on the Tour d'Afrique for over 10 years now. I travelled by truck in 2005 from Nairobi to Cape Town and have tried to head back to the continent as much as I could. Unfortunately work and finances allow me to do only the one section so I've opted for the one that seems most challenging and interesting, The Gorge. I've completed a few long distance trips on my own such as Lands End-John O'Groats and most recently London-Rome which should stand me in good stead for this section of the tour. Though i'm concerned that even London's roads won't prepare me for the condition of those in Sudan and Ethiopia! Plus I'll need to keep training through winter which i'm not looking forward to. As I write this my main worry is whether to opt for a cyclo-cross or splash out on a nice new mountain bike. Look Forward to meeting everyone on the trip. Liam

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.

David Paterson

I am 69, retired, and live in the Okanagan Valley of B.C. Canada. Really only cycle to travel. Went on tda trips in Africa and India and the Himalayas.

Carolyn Pearson

I'm excited to cycle from Paris to Budapest with my husband, Doug Pearson and all of you! I started cycling in April 2011. Four short years later my husband asked me to participate in the last month of the 2015 Tour d'Afrique. After much consideration, I said yes. I enjoyed one of the most challenging, scenic & cultural experiences of my life! This time the trip was my idea : ) I am looking forward to experiencing a variety of European cultures, food, history & sites along the way. See you in July!

Laura Harris

I'm currently on a career break from working and living in Sydney and so excited to be joining the tour and visiting Africa again. The aim of my break has been to learn, be physically challenged and to give back to the community I'm working in and the TDA ticks all the boxes! I need to to learn how to actually maintain my bike, no doubt this will be the most physically challenging thing I've done and I'm giving back by raising money for the tour foundation, the cardiomyopothy association and I'd love to give some yoga classes to help stretch those tired muscles.

Ivan Zimmermann

Creative, adventourous, good sense of humour.

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.

Jodi Scott

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

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.

Mark Lutz

Tallis Wessels

Been working as a cycle/safari guide in southern Africa for the last 7years. Extremely passionate about nature and cross country cycle..

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 at hand. The best stories at the end of the trip are not normally those of the speediest cyclist.

Terry Scheikowski

I am a retired lecturer in Food Science living in Melbourne and have been cycling as an adult for 40+years. I completed Cairo to Cape Town with TdA in 2019 albeit in stages having started back in 2013. I have previously cycled across Canada with Tour du Canada. some years back I rode with two friends from the north to the south of the UK (John O'Groats to Lands End) taking a wandering route and enjoying English and Scottish B&Bs and the odd pub.

Alex Percival

This will be my 4th TDA tour, having done the Silk Route and the Tour d'Afrique twice now. I will be doing my best to keep everyone's bikes on the road. Looking forward to this next adventure!

Elliot Hoy

-My First Travel Experience was when i was 18, I travelled China. -My Second travel experience was Thailand (south), Malayisa, Singapore and Indonesia when i was 19. -My Third and final trip to Asia was Thailand(north), Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos when i was 20 -I traveled to Australia when i was 21 to do a Year Work and travel, i met my fiancé in Hobart, Tasmania. -When i was 22 i traveled the Americas with my fiancé for 1 year visiting, Canada, USA, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Hoduras, Nicaragua, Cost Rica, Panama, Colombia, Equador, Paru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina & Brazil When i was in Tasmanin Teaching Scuba Diving i met a nurse that told me that she had been on the Tour d'Arique

Rosa Pater

My name is Rosa Pater, I'm 23 years old. I live in Waarland, a little village in Holland. In daily live, I'm a professional speedskater, therefore I'm quite used to heavy trainings and making many hours on my bike. Nevertheless, I still feel it as a major challenge to cycle 1913km from Windhoek to Cape Town. My father, Dick Pater and his friend Jaap Brasser are currently cycling the whole tour. I'm already very proud of them and I thought it would be such an unforgettable experience to join them the last part of the tour!

Birgit Hermann

I am an enthusiastic, active and adventure-seeking individual. I will leave the corporate rat race for a while to cure my long running travel bug - by the time we cross the finish line in Cape Town, I will have travelled, lived and worked in some 50 countries. It has been a childhood dream of mine to spend an extended time in Africa and I can't think of a better way to start this journey than by bike. Originally from Germany, I have lived in New Zealand for the last 8 years, enjoying the great outdoors. I am a keen surfer, runner, snowboarder, rock climber, scuba diver, mountain biker and photographer. A mtb-er by heart, I will have to get used to the long daily road distances of the TDA - but can't wait for the challenge! Look forward to celebrating my birthday with all of you like-minded, similarly-mad people in Khartoum on Day One on 10 January!

Chris Dick

I work in Kingston and when I can get away, I like to do adventure travel. Laying on a beach at an all inclusive isn't for me. I ran into the Tour in Nairobi about 6 years ago and have had the trip in mind ever since. The problem is, I was never really an avid cyclist. I've been working on it, riding after work and all day on weekends but I'm not gonna lie, it kind of scares me as the start approaches. Save some supper for me cuz I'm sure I'll be the last one to arrive in camp each day.

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!

Caroline Anderson

Hi! I'll be joining the group in Malawi to finish off the last three legs of the TDA 2015! Have been following the fun so far via instagram… which has made me both excited and nervous! I'm from Canada but have been living abroad since 2002 - and in Switzerland for most of that time. Not a seasoned bike expert to say the least…but an active girl who likes a good challenge so fingers crossed I survive.

Kimberly Kaestner

I've traveled the world in my career and now I want to travel the world for fun.

Marcel van Kesteren

Marcel is the name, and cycling has always been part of my life; I am born in the Netherlands. But (cumulated) distances as on TDA.....? Tour d'Afrique for me is a break in between jobs. Great opportunity to be sporty, enjoy Africa and be amongst fellow riders. Together with my girlfriend Gunilla we ride Livingstone to Windhoek. After that she goes back home and I continue to Cape Town. We are very much looking forward to the journey!

Gunilla Verbeke

Hi, I'm Gunilla, once an actress, now a mathematician / consultant. I love sports, did a lot of gymnastics when I was younger, also played some tennis. I have a racing bike since two years, not a hardcore biker, but I'm proud that I've climbed the mount Stelvio. Now the challenge will be in the distance, something new to me.

Maureen Collins

I'm from Ireland; moved to Zambia in my twenties and then to South Africa. Love the country, the bush, photography. I've ridden bicycles and horses since I was a kid. I had my own consulting practice in Johannesburg for 20 years but segued into retirement when I met Andy Brookstein in the middle of 2014. Andy did the Cairo to Cape ride in 2015 and I joined him for one of the sections. Now married, and retired, we rode from New Delhi to Mumbai on the Hippie Trail in 2016. I've registered for the Odyssey in 2017

Franci Joubert

I am a lawyer, practicing and living in Knysna :) I love riding my bicycle!

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!

Doug Pearson

Hi All! I am 63 years old and live in St. Louis, Missouri, USA with my wife, Carolyn. I have two grown children, one living in Houston, Texas and the other living in Seattle, Washington. I completed the Tour d'Afrique in 2015 and the Garden of Eden Section of the Silk Route in 2016 and the Orient Express route from Paris to Budapest in 2019. Looking forward to hotels every night; Great new friendships; A fun relaxing time; Exploring with my wife and being with all of you!! Cheers!! Doug

Paige Webb

Hi, I'm Paige, currently from Jordan Station, ON. Also know as the exit on the QEW with the Pirate Ship, or the place peaches come from. People often ask if I am crazy, I ask why? Doing Tour D'Afrique or getting married in Oct 2015? I am excited to see Africa, (mostly Cario and Cape Town), meet new people, create friendships, and test my abilities (physically and mental). One of the biggest challenges I foresee is going 150km without a stop at Tim Hortons! See you in Cario!

Shanny Hill

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

Max Chiswick

Super excited to start this adventure and to meet everyone

Stephanie Thornton

Hey Everyone, I am looking forward to traveling & supporting you on your tour across Italy. This will be my 5th TDA tour. In between tours, I do all sorts of other work spanning from Fighting forest fires to working with Doctors Without Borders. Can't wait to ride bikes with all of you and eat gelato when we aren't!

Craig Thomson

Living Life | Endurance Athlete | Inspirational Leader | Red Socker | Enjoying the Journey |

Katja Steenkamp

I grew up in the eastern part of Germany in the beautiful baroque town Dresden. I traveled to Cape Town/South Africa in my early 20's and was spellbound by the breathtaking landscape, delicious wine and food, and especially the active lifestyle. Given Cape Town's location the outdoors can be occupied the full year around. A great advantage for an outdoor enthusiast and adventure seeker like myself. Now, 10 years later, I am well settled in this part of the world, found myself a wonderful husband and planing my next big adventure. Tour d'Afrique has been a dream of mine for a long time and am very excited to experience this extraordinary adventure in 2016.

Graham Whelan

Hi, I’m an electrical engineer and serial dreamer! Have wanted to do the TDA since I left uni in 2008 so now is the time to stop procrastinating and do it!!! I’ll be turning 30 on the tour so what better way to celebrate than riding across Africa. Can’t wait to meet you all at the start line. Now, where did I leave my bike???

Len Colbert

Having been introduced to the tour by a fellow rider, I have become inspired by those that have completed it. I will be 60 when I arrive on the tour, its is time to step outside my comfort zone and this will push my limits, so let the fun begin..... I look forward to a very unique experience.

Douwe Cunningham

Looking forward to experiencing the spirit of Africa...!

Michael Hobin

I'm retired and in the 60+ category. I enjoy cycling, golf and hiking. Currently I spend my winters in Arizona and will start spending my summers in Camlachie, Ontario. I've done a few long distance rides including the TDA in 2016. Looking forward to seeing western Canada on bike.

Jason Metcalfe

I am an alumni of TDA 2016 and 1st place finisher of pub stops along the way from Cairo to Cape Town. I'm joining the tour this year in Nairobi and quickily finishing in Kigali. My goal is to make sure Rupert Dixon (4th most km for men last year) slows down and enjoys the tour this year. Cheers, Jason

Larry MacNeill

I'm 62, live in Colorado, and have done some cycling but nothing on the scale of the Tour d'Afrique. Avoiding every chance of failure can be dull. After planning and training, adventure and serendipity await.

Steve Chatterton

Hello to All I have recently retired and am interested in exploring the world by bike. I have been bicycle touring on my vacations for the last 20 years. They have all been self-supported in the United States or Canada so, this will be my first excursion outside of North America. I am curious to see if anyone is interested in organizing a short safari into Serengeti National Park. We will have a three day rest in Arusha, Tanzania and this would be our opportunity to make a side trip into the Park.

Cohen Hocking

I've recently finished my undergrad in conservation and now work in forestry in B.C. Canada. For a long time now I've been fascinated by Africa. Along with my dad, I'll be riding from Cairo to Addis Ababa - from the cradle of civilization to the cradle of mankind! Can't wait to meet everyone and take to the road!

Dave hocking

51 - self employed - living in BC - Biking is a new passion for me - my son has convinced me to join him on the first leg of this incredible journey - training hard - "if you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?" ~ T.S. Eliot

Robert Hart

Hi I'm Rob, I live and work in London. Looking forward to meeting you all in Cairo and to an epic few months together spinning through Africa!

Neil Oakey

Hi I'm Neil, I am 44, and live in Corfu (Greece) with my wife. Taking a break from work right now, so this seems like a good way to pass the time. We used to live in Angola, but didn't see much of Africa, something I'm sure will be addressed on this ride.

Rupert Dixon

Hey Guys, I attempted the TDA this year (2016) and had my EFI intact all the way to Namibia when I unfortunately fell off twice in 3 days! On the second fall I stupidly broke my collarbone in three places and had to have a plate fitted in Cape Town which annoyingly ended my tour...check your pedals and cleats regularly! I was initially planning to only ride the last two weeks from where I fell off just outside Windhoek but given the 2017 tour is taking a new and unexpected detour around lake Victoria through Rwanda and Uganda, countries I've really enjoyed travelling before, I've decided to start in Nairobi. Africa's landscapes are so beautiful, varied & changeable i'm confident I can get just as much out of the TdA second time around. I'm going to be taking things a lot more leisurely this time, many more coffee stops in the morning and beer stops in the afternoon! Enjoy Egypt and particularly Sudan and I will see you all in Nairobi in mid February. P.s I've just noticed there is still a link to my blog from last year here, having just read a little back its all a bit emotional but you will know how I felt back then in 6 months! If you want to get an idea of what last years tour was like take a look here..

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.

Emma Houterman

Hi. I'm Emma. I am 29 and live in Amsterdam. I very much look forward to cycling from Cairo to Capetown.

Paul Taylor

i live and work in England. I am a sports person taking part in many competitive events from triathlon / ultra running and cycling, road , Cx and MTB . i have been on 11 big climbing expeditions including the summits of all of the 7 continental summits on first attempts including carstenze pryamid. I have two daughters 18 /22 years. just normal really !

Keith Hazeldine

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

Catalin Pricoiu

Clive Smith

London based rider, done a fair amount of traveling on a bike including the Indian Adventure in 2011., segments in Europe and Cairo to Addis, Africa 2016. Plan to ride more tours in the future.

Özgür Karataş

“Working outdoors is phenomenal.”

When TDA need local support for translations in Turkey in 2014, I entered the picture. Before TDA, I lived year-round there, in Izmir. Now I live on the road eight months of the year; the rest of the time I’m in Turkey, either applying for visas or rock-climbing.

Sometimes on a tour our failures are as incredible as our successes. Being defeated as my tour attempted to climb a new route on Koca Sarp, a rocky mountain in central Anatolia, is an experience I’ll always remember.

I’ve seen so much of the world with TDA. My favourite place I’ve been so far is Meteora, Greece. Probably the greatest pleasure of cycle-touring for me is never spending more than two days in a row in the same spot.

Tallis Wessels

Overland and cycle guide since 2009 Looking forward to another TDA experience!

Martina Kroos

Martina Kroos Hello All, I'm looking forward to enjoy Africa from the seat of my bike and to meet all of you in Cairo.

Mike Voisin

Looking forward to a grande bike adventure with the added benefit of raising funds for ALS and MND.

Kevin Johansen

I like to be outside... biking,hiking, skiing and river running. Looking forward to seeing new country, riding with my friends Gil and Troy Gillenwater and Mike Hobin. Mike is doing the whole ride as we are doing the "short" version of the Afrique Tour.

Andy Brookstein

Hello all, my age is 65 and I am presently a retired ex civil construction contractor. Schooled in Durban 1967 Married to Maureen (ex TDA 2015). Three children Peter, David and Lara from a previous marrage. No great sporting achievements other than great enthusiasm in rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, squash, cross country, road running, walking and lastly cycling. I completed TDA 2015 and feel the need to revisit the tour. It was great.

Jean Kapala Brown

Powell "Gil" Gillenwater

I love adventure and I love to travel. My brother Troy (who will be on this ride) and I discovered Tibet’s fabled "Lost Falls of the Brahmaputra” in 1997. I have been on 6 expeditions into the Himalayas of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Ladakh. I am a weekend warrior when it comes to riding bikes having coordinated multi-day, fundraising bike rides in Sonora, Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. I am the founder and president of the Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation, Inc. and I am really looking forward to this ride. A good friend, Mike Hobin, will be riding the entire Africa tour. He convinced my brother Troy and friend Kevin Johansen (a college football buddy - we are now both 61 years old) to join him on the final leg. We road across Poland and Slovakia with Mike on a Tour d'Afrique adventure last year and had a fantastic time.

Sally-Anne Dunn

After riding Nairobi to Cape Town in 2014 I'm coming back to finish it all off. Much less physically prepared this time, but I'm really keen to get started!

Mike Carter

Currently living in Victoria, BC, Earth. This is my Fourth trip with TDA and my second time cycling in Africa. I'm looking forward to meeting you all on the trip! Cheers, Mike

Juliana Nunes de Andrade

I'm Juliana; aka Ju. I'm originally from Brazil, where I am at the moment, but Australia has been my home for the last 10 years! I have been flirting with this journey through Africa for over a year. I'm very excited with the prospect of getting to know a little bit of the continent that has always fascinated me for so many reasons! Doing this from the height of my bike saddle has got the experience I'm about to embark on heaps more exciting! Here to many meaningful path crossings!!

steven lewy

enthusiastic amateur cyclist, looking forward to my April adventure.

Adrian Starkey

Hi I'm Adrian and I live in Singapore. I have always enjoyed cycling but have never taken part in a serious challenge like the Tour d'Afrique before. Relishing the opportunity to meet like-minded adventurers whilst I'm currently between jobs in the energy sector. I'm a professional engineer and love travel, photography, and outdoor sports: cycling, scuba diving, skiing, etc. Been to Africa a few times, mainly on safari, and expect to see a lot more of this beautiful continent on this trip! Looking forward to meeting the rest of the Peloton on stages 7 (Elephant Highway) and 8 (Rainbow Nation) of the 2016 tour.

Eric Brandenburg

Greetings from Mogadishu. I am a Senior Security Sector Reform and Maritime Officer working with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia. Prior to my service with UN field operations, I served in the US Navy for 22 years and retired as a Commander in June 2004. The cycling event from Windhoek to Cape Town will be an extraordinary opportunity to see another part of Africa.

Mimi Viviers

I'm an avid mountain biker & love being outdoors appreciating nature. I have done many multi-stage races in SA, Namibia & Kenya & joined the 2016 Td'A team for the last leg from Windhoek to Cape Town (my home town). On this trip I met my partner Dave and we are keen to do the full West Africa tour together.

David Jones

My wife and I are so excited to experience Japan with the TDA Team.

Brian Hoeniger

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

Shanny Hill

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

Michael Treloar

Retired Geotechnical Engineer, who enjoys long distance cycling, currently residing in the Great Karoo, RSA. "When it comes to traveling, it's not the destination which matters, but how many different beers you get to taste, before you get there" (Apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Judith Treloar

Retired High School Teacher and Sports Coach. Previously a PA in corporate business. After completing Tour d'Afrique 2017, I cannot resist joining Michael on another tour. - otherwise I am going to suffer from FOMO!

Paul Farrow

Left the work force to become full time cyclist, geocacher and fisherman. Problem is the pay sucks! Second trip with TDA having done Tour d Afrique.

Wendy Farrow

Wendy's my name And cycling's my game, And has been for many a year. I'm a roady at heart Most days I take part, Except when the weather's not fair. Seeing the world by bike Is the thing that we like And we’ve done quite a lot of trips This has been on our list But Covid”s a bitch At last we can give it a tick. When I’m not on my bike I’m a mother and wife And now a grandmother as well. I still work 3 days To earn us some pay As a nurse at the hospital. Some other things I enjo- yoga, reading, cross-stitch, crosswords, geocaching.

Muluken Tesfaye

Muluken will be helping drive up one of our vehicles to Cairo with our transit team and during the tour he will be helping in the kitchen and camp. This will be the fifth time that Muluken has worked with us on the Tour d'Afrique.

Niklas Frisk

20 year old bartender from Kinna in Sweden, just outside Gothenburg. I work at O´learys at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport as a bartender/waiter. The Tour d'Afrique will be the trip of my life and i'am hoping that I will remember it for the rest of my life. I also hope to raise awerness and rasie money for O'learys Meal4Meal programme, a part of the United Nations World Food Programme. Meal4Meal - Food becomes knowledge http://www.olearys.se/se/meal4meal

Ed Phelps

I'm super-excited to be going on such and incredible ride in Africa! I've been to the start and end (Egypt and South Africa), loved both, and am greatly looking forward to seeing what's in-between. I went on cycling tours in my teens and have ridden road and mountain bikes ever since. I've raised two kids in Boulder, CO and (with fingers crossed) they should be happily attending college while I'm away.

Anmei Goldsmith

Looking forward to meeting y'all in January!

Michael Howard

A cyclist on and off for many years. I started when I was 14. I rode a section from Sudan to Ethiopia 2014 and Rute De Maya 2015, plus Tanzania to Namibia, plus Kyrgyzstan,, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Now I am looking forward to the great ride Georgia and Turkey in August 2022. I still work, why retire? Keep healthy to live a long life

Liz Morris

I am a mother of 3 sons, Andrew aged 17, Matthew 22 and Richard 25. I am wife to a man in a million ... Tim, my rock and most ardent supporter of all the crazy ideas that I dream up! I live in Cape Town, in a home filled with laughter and love ... and on any given day resembles Waterloo station at rush hour. Most of my friends also enjoy cycling, and weekends generally involve cycling expeditions of some kind, both mountain and road biking. I am a Registered Nurse, and have specialised in Advanced Wound Care. I work as a Private Nurse Practitioner, from a Wound Care Clinic in Claremont. We have formed 'WoundNet', which is an umbrella network of Advanced Wound Care Practitioners practicing across the Cape Peninsula, and as far as Pringle Bay. We also boast an ACE administrative team. We believe that we can make a difference in the lives of our patients, rich and poor alike. 'Save a limb, save a life' is our credo. I am currently a member of The Grove Toastmasters and am busy working my way through the ACB manual. I enjoy taking Oil Painting lessons with Mad Annie at Frank Joubert Art Centre. All in all, I have a very full life, filled with innumerable passions and interests. It would be remiss of me, however, not to mention Greg Walpole, my business and life coach, who helped me believe that I could achieve this BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL!! Five years of saving my money, and now I am ready ... Tour of 2017 here I come :)

Andrew McFallon

48 year old father of two. Taking a break from the workforce for a few years to pursue some adventures and consider what sort of career comes next.

Linda Affolder

Mark Borsuk

Independently caught both the cycling and travelling Africa bugs last summer. Came across TDA and thought, why not? Cannot wait for the adventure to begin!

Thomas Baar

I am 44 years old and I love sport and travelling. So it is a good combination to do the tour.

Gurpaul Atwal

Punjabi. Engineer. Mba student. On the quieter side of life. Get bored fast. Mildly eccentric

Murray Burr

I am looking forward to doing the Pub Ride in 2024. Having done TdA2017 I am confident the ride will be well organised and with great crew. Meeting new friends and a few fellow alumni will add to the adventure

Alexandra Pastollnigg

I love travelling and developed a new passion both for physical challenges as well as Africa. Want to see and experience more. "Everything is possible"—this is pushing my boundaries and I can't wait to get started, meet all the other tour participants, and experience where this adventure will lead us. . .

Bernd Beigl

Ohhh......to tell about me is a bit bulky...and that is very extensive. first: my english is terrible...and I would like to improve in four months :-) Actually, I wanted "to give" myself on 15.10.2017 to my 50th birthday the Ironman on Hawaii. However, the preparing is currently a little bit too stressful and too uncertain after a business Insolvency and divorce again. Therefore, now is the hour of Tour d´áfrique; i want to come back to myself.

Roman Zinner

Hello, my occupation is application specialist for high end scientific microscopes in an optical Company. I am cell biologist by education. I live in Munich with my wife and two Kids. My Hobbies are travelling, sports (mounatineering, Cycling and making Music) and of course spending time with the Family. Looking Forward to the Zambesi Zone and meet you all there, kind regards Roman

Natalie Jacobson

What can I say, I just like to ride. I've done a couple of tours in Aus and NZ, but this will undoubtedly be the most challenging physical and mental thing I have ever done. I've always wanted to go to Africa and I can't think of a better way to experience the continent than on bike. I can't wait!!!!!!

Simon Holmes

Keen cyclist. Don't race as such but done a few big sportives ( eg Marmottes, Dragon Ride , White Rose Classic ,Crystalp etc). Some touring--eg 2 TDA trips in Africa -2017 and 2019; Raid Pyreneen; crossed the alps with kit a couple of times, cent cols, round Corsica, Tour de Mont Blanc etc; rode to Istanbul with camping kit; regularly ride across Wales etc 5 bikes. Racing bike, Specialised Atheos; MTB Specialised Camber full suss 29 er; Winter bike-Kinesis Tripster (bought for 2019 TDA trip in Africa); shopping bike; and old racer on turbo trainer (little used!) Enjoy riding all types of bikes whether it's an Uber bike in London; velibre in Paris or a bike with no brakes in Ethiopia (they are optional aren't they in Africa?).

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.

Andje Borojevic

who is andje? mmmm...that’s a good question. given that i’ve run out of pages in my passport, i think it’s safe to say i love to travel and experience new & different things. for me, it’s about adventure, challenges and getting out of one’s comfort zone. even though i’ve been thinking about tour d’afrique for 13 years - this will definitely be my most challenging adventure yet and well beyond my comfort zone. for my dad - who fought a long hard battle with cancer and never gave up, for my mom - who is currently fighting now and refuses to give up, for all the cancer survivors and everyone who has been touched by cancer. “what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”- unknown

Thomas Lais

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

Erin Miller

I am a physiotherapist living in Toronto. I did multiple sections of the Tour D'Afrique in 2017 (from Nairobi to Windhoek) and the final section of West Africa 2018 from Freetown to Cape Coast. I have also done some solo touring in Canada. Looking forward to this next adventure!

Philip Davies

I love Africa and cycling with friends so what could be better than going on the Cairo to Cape Town tour. Taking a career break after 28 years, now is the opportunity!

Charles Butler

Born in Zimbabwe, raised in South Africa and now living in Australia. Can't wait to return to Africa and see the continent in the best way possible - on a bike!

Peter Hodges

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

Catherine Hodges

I love adventure in all its forms. I'm stoked to have another cycling trip to look forward to! This will be my second TDA tour, having done a large portion of Africa in 2017.

Hanne Renland

I discovered this fascinating lifestyle in 2017 as a section rider on Tour d'Afrique Egypt-Rwanda. My fascination of this way of riding/living made me cycle through Norway in 2017 and 2019 and through Tanzania November 2017. In 2018 I did West-Africa, an extraordinary fascinating tour. I live in a small town in the nothern part of Norway, where I work as a psychologist. Beside my work I am running an aid project in the south-west of Tanzania.

Michael van den Berg

Farmer Mike is now a dairy farmer in Greytown in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Have always loved being on my bike and it is the best way to tour and get to know other countries. Michael Treloar, also once known as Pretty Mike? and myself (Clever Mike?) have known each other since student days and I will be joining Judy and Mike for the final leg from Windhoek to Cape Town. We started cycling in 1996, to honour a wager made after a couple of bottles of excellent South African red wine.

Deborah Mulcahy

I like cycling.

Peter Mulcahy

Excited about this adventure. Where are we going?

Will Franken

Quoting a Dutch writer Jelle Brandt Corstius: "I don't know why I like traveling so much. I don't even care about the destination. The fun part is being on the move. The only thing to expect is the unexpected. You left something behind and don't know where you will end up. Traveling by plane, train or bicycle, I don't care, as long as I'm traveling. It's the only moment I'm not pondering". So I like to travel :-) But I also like endurance. Did some triathlon, most recently the Celtman in Scotland in 2015. Unfortunately I can only do 2/3 stages at a time but I'm very much looking forward riding with you guys!

Helen Gertig

I'm a doctor from the UK, working mostly in the Emergency department and rural Scottish hospitals in the Highlands and Islands. I try to spend as little of my time in hospitals as possible, and have found cycling is a great way to do this! I have previously been medic for TDA Tour d'Afrique and the Silk Route - both really fantastic trips. I have also worked in a Nepalese high altitude rescue station in the Everest region for a season. I have a life long love affair with mountains, and am really looking forward to joining you all on this adventure!

Wynand Bezuidenhout

Suzy Leveille

Went on a section of the tour in 2013, Khartoum to Ethiopia, and just want to continue other tours, meeting wonderful people, discovering amazing countries while being out of my comfort zone. My son will also be part of the tour. What a great way to travel!

Bridgette Watts

love long distance cycling. I am looking forward to meeting new people and exploring a new continent

Kim Payne

Self Employed Travel Agent which makes things slightly easier by being able to have a mobile office. Can we ensure the WIFI is great on this leg please? I've managed to do sections of Ruta Maya 15, TDA 17, and now this. I have also signed up for West Africa. Ticking sections off slowly Now to get a new bike. I'm sick of the mountain bike! Cyclo cross is where it's at.

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.

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.

Errol Venter

Hi im Errol. Some of you will know me from TDA,ill be joining as cook on this tour ,hope there wont be too many challenges but that would be unlike a TDA tour.

Tallis Wessels

Overland and cycle guide since 2009 Looking forward to another TDA experience!

Thomas Eldner

german/swiss Citizen Living in Lucerne

Andy Brookstein

Hello all, my age is 65 and I am presently a retired ex civil construction contractor. Schooled in Durban 1967 Married to Maureen (ex TDA 2015). Three children Peter, David and Lara from a previous marrage. No great sporting achievements other than great enthusiasm in rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, squash, cross country, road running, walking and lastly cycling. I completed TDA 2015 and feel the need to revisit the tour. It was great.

Rick Harwood

This will be my 4th TDA tour. I did the last month of Tour D’Afrique in 2017, Trans Europa (efi yes!) 2018, and the new final stage of the Trans Europa fom Barcelona to Gibraltar in 2021. I’m excited to be going to Southeast Asia!

Rupert Dixon

Hey Guys, I attempted the TDA this year (2016) and had my EFI intact all the way to Namibia when I unfortunately fell off twice in 3 days! On the second fall I stupidly broke my collarbone in three places and had to have a plate fitted in Cape Town which annoyingly ended my tour...check your pedals and cleats regularly! I was initially planning to only ride the last two weeks from where I fell off just outside Windhoek but given the 2017 tour is taking a new and unexpected detour around lake Victoria through Rwanda and Uganda, countries I've really enjoyed travelling before, I've decided to start in Nairobi. Africa's landscapes are so beautiful, varied & changeable i'm confident I can get just as much out of the TdA second time around. I'm going to be taking things a lot more leisurely this time, many more coffee stops in the morning and beer stops in the afternoon! Enjoy Egypt and particularly Sudan and I will see you all in Nairobi in mid February. P.s I've just noticed there is still a link to my blog from last year here, having just read a little back its all a bit emotional but you will know how I felt back then in 6 months! If you want to get an idea of what last years tour was like take a look here..

Brad Davis

Australian 25-year-old journalism graduate whose only priority is getting out and seeing as much of the world as possible! I'm passionate about travelling, socialising, and writing (usually about travelling and socialising).

Solange Ricioli

Marie-Helen Wessling

Jason Metcalfe

I am an alumni of TDA 2016 and 1st place finisher of pub stops along the way from Cairo to Cape Town. I'm joining the tour this year in Nairobi and quickily finishing in Kigali. My goal is to make sure Rupert Dixon (4th most km for men last year) slows down and enjoys the tour this year. Cheers, Jason

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.

Valerie Dosiere

Looking forward to this trip! I love both cycling and traveling.

Alexander Hore-Ruthven

Eric Secher

65 yrs old, married, two grown up daughters, general surgeon in Stockholm. Have been biking in Europe, Nepal, Sri Lanka and did first part of Tour d´Afrique 2007 and one section around Victoria Lake 2017.

Greg Roberts

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

Anthony Butler

57 Year old MAMIL who started cycling late and wished he'd started earlier! Live in St Francis Bay in South Africa but originally from Zimbabwe.

Peter Hargreaves

In 2014 my wife ,Anne, & I having been married for 30 years .in celebration,(desperation) undertook the Tour d' Afrique , on the basis that if we deferred the trip we might never go. We completed some 4,700 kilometres through Sudan, Ethiopia & Kenya, when just over the border into Tanzania I was hit by a truck resulting in 6 cracked ribs & unconsciousness, which meant I was forced to withdraw from the ride. I have decided to join the 2017 TDA in Arusha , where my TDA ended in 2014 . So assuming (fingers crossed) I complete the journey to Cape Town this will complete my personal TDA . Anne hopes to join us at Victoria Falls & ride from there to Cape Town. .

Anne Davenport

Vic Falls here I come! Africa part 2. RDV with my husband Peter for final part of the Epic ride. New riders, new scenery, new tent.

Justyna Tarwid

I joined TDA for the last leg of the Trans-Oceania tour last year and now very much looking forward to cycling through Namibia and South Africa :)

Christina Bouchard

Hi! My name is Chris Bouchard. I recently made the jump to consulting, but prior to that worked for the City of Toronto as the Planner leading their Cycling Network Implementation Plan. I'm with IBI Group now, as the Project Manager for a similar exercise being undertaken as part of the Regional Transportation Plan. I love riding and have ridden to most of the cities and small towns around southern Ontario using trains or just riding directly, plus a number of great trips in Quebec. Over in Europe, I did a self-supported ride up from Paris, across Belgium and the Netherlands to Germany. I'm into exploring, backwoods canoe camping, good food, good friends, art, culture, design, meeting new people and the unexpected. Can't wait to discover a new continent, and meet everyone else on the tour!

Peter Bonnell

This trip is my therapy for leaving my job, which I had for 28 years. It is a big change in my life and I want to open my horizons to make sure my next steps in life will be fulfilling.

Dag Brattli

From Tromsø, Norway at 69 degrees north. I'm married to Vibeke, and have 2 boys, Kenneth (18) and Eric (22). Work as a software engineer for Cognite. Ride my bike all year. In the summer I love to ride my bike around Malangen, and in winter I use my fat-bike on the snow. Btw. also the lucky winner of the 2014 Squirt Lube TDA competition, so I have cycled this section before (2014, 2017) with a fat-bike (twice). The goal is to use a "normal" bike this time around.

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.

Martin Arrell

Life is about the adventure along the way not the final destination. I'm sure this is going to be one hell of an adventure.

Erin Hamayda

Neal Herr

I'm a leisure cyclist with my local cycling club in Dundalk , Co Louth , Ireland. This isn't my first big cycle overseas. In 2015 I took a six week tour of Spain and Portugal. I enjoyed the history and culture every bit as much as the cycle. I stayed always in hotels. The tour d'Afrique camping probably will be a bigger challenge than the cycling. Can't wait - roll on January 2018

Liz Ferris

Looking forward to meeting everyone in Addis Ababa. Cycled from Beijing through Mongolia and into Sibera with the 2016 Silk Route... phenomenal trip with some amazing folks. Hoping the TDA 2018 is more of the same! Climate Change policy analyst from Victoria BC.

Terry Scheikowski

I am a retired lecturer in Food Science living in Melbourne and have been cycling as an adult for 40+years. I completed Cairo to Cape Town with TdA in 2019 albeit in stages having started back in 2013. I have previously cycled across Canada with Tour du Canada. some years back I rode with two friends from the north to the south of the UK (John O'Groats to Lands End) taking a wandering route and enjoying English and Scottish B&Bs and the odd pub.

Emma Oliver

David Grassham

Did the 2018 Tour D'Afrique. Looking forward to the 2nd tour.

Frank Wichlo

I have done 4 TDA trips and I plan to keep doing them as long as I am able, or the money runs out.

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.

Gary Hoffman

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

Maureen Stone

Looking forward to seeing how the mud roads of West Africa en Velo compare to Tanzania! Cairo to Capetown 2018 was amazing beyond words, will be so good to hit the road with TDA again. So.....that didn't happen - Now excited for Morocco instead!

Bob Kieckhefer

Geophysicist, cyclist, swimmer. I currently live in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where there are plenty of hills to climb. I rode Cairo to Babati plus Vic Falls to Cape Town in 2018/19/20 and look forward to completing the Babati-to-Vic-Falls portion.

Katherine Haimann

I'm an engineer and enjoy cycling in my free time. I have done a few short cycling tours and this is my first long distance tour, I'm very excited for the challenge!

Alistair Reid

With a mixture of excitement and trepidation I look forward to both my biggest cycling and travel expedition yet. On a break from a career in local government, I have travelled extensively but not in Africa. I have tackled and enjoyed some of the major cycling challenges that Europe has to offer. I have no doubt that the TDA will present my biggest challenge yet!

Martin Krebs

Martin Krebs is employed with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and has an assignment as Deputy Head of the Environment and Sustainable Development Section of the Directorate of Political Affairs. He studied law in Bern, Amsterdam, Den Haag and Thessaloníki and is a member of the bar. Before his present assignment he worked in different capacities with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP. As a former member of the parliament of the city of Berne, he has a vast experience in local governance. He is a member of the board of administrators of the zoo of Berne. Martin Krebs acts as President of a Staff Union of the Swiss federal administration. He likes rackets and bikes.

Jenna Mehre

Richard Schingler

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

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.

Don Holshuh

I participated in the 2018 Tour d’ Afrique as a proud certifiable non-EFI (every fucking inch) rider. I am also the president and founder of the 2018 Tour d’ Afrique Wimp Club where our motto is “ When in doubt, hotel it out” and “ We didn’t come to Africa to do our own laundry”. Looking forward to meeting a new group of riders.

Anton Tasič

Jordan Kadelbach

Seasoned Bicycle Mechanic and Enthusiast. I like coffee,beer and long smooth descents. Mud,Snow,Gravel and Road. I love it all.

Dylan Penney

Chris Penney

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.

Morris Scott

I am a 60 year old guy looking to get out of my comfort zone and connect with like minded people.

Harriet Burn

Hi, I'm a doctor from the UK who loves to cycle tour and I'm very excited to be joining you as the team medic from Cairo to Cape Town. Feel free to ask me any medical questions at any point. Looking forwards to meeting you all!

Aedo Hoekstra

Hello there, the Tour d'Afrique has been a wish for a long time. And 2018 seemed like the right year to finally do it. I'm very excited and look forward to this adventure together with a group of like-minded people!

Craig Tingle

Looking forward to another trip with TDA and meeting up with my very old Canadian friend.

Alain Gauvin

I like sports and travels, lots of both, so this is perfect for me.

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.

Mitchel Bulthuis

Lesa and I have been traveling since 2016. Earlier this year we purchased a Tandem Bicycle in the UK and have riden from Nordkapp Norway to Italy. Now we plan to extend our trip through Africa. For you NZ folks do you recognize the tree we are standing in front of???

Lesa Shields

After I was retired in 2015 I decided to partner up with Mitch Bulthuis, and travel the world. Mitch and I are currently riding our tandem bike around exploring the world. I am fairly new to bicycling. We have seen parts of America, Australia, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Slovenia, and Sweden. I enjoy meeting new friends and seeing new places. I love the JOURNEY.

Tallis Wessels

Overland and cycle guide since 2009 Looking forward to another TDA experience!

gregg Lethbridge

hi, i like bike touring, i have biked in west africa , sierra leone,ghana. morocco. east africa tanzania summited kilimanjaro and rode though ethiopia, . i have rode across the usa 3 times. i am 60 years old and retired.

Alexandra Ruch

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

Trixie Wagner

I am a German citizen but live and work in Switzerland. After having survived Ruta Maya, parts of the Tour d'Afrique and West Africa, I am looking forward to the next cycling challenge!

Steph Barker

Looking forward to the tour!

karen robyn

Film worker by trade. I took up cycling in 2015 to do the Bamboo Road, Shanghai to Singapore. Followed by 14 months working in Shanghai, without the bike. In 2018, Cairo to Capetown ended for me in Lusaka due to illness, and I’ve been trying to get back there to finish it ever since. These tours are as tough as anything I've done, but they're also full of magical moments. Look forward to sharing it with all of you...

Ryan Matthews

It's my honour to take responsibility for the Lunch Truck for the 2018 Tour d'Afrique, working closely with the Tour Director and the Head Chef to provide a well-earned oasis of rest, sustenance, and hydration partway through every cycling day. As a life-long world traveller, cyclist and logistician, I often seem to spend more time abroad than in my hometown of Montréal. This is my fifth extended stay in Africa, and my first tour with TDA.

Errol Venter

Hi im Errol. Some of you will know me from TDA,ill be joining as cook on this tour ,hope there wont be too many challenges but that would be unlike a TDA tour.

Dominik Ruch

Dominik Ruch

Joost Kramer

Hi, I am about to embark on my fifth TDA (sectional) tour and as excited to do so as was the first time. Being Dutch I was raised using a bicycle to get to places, and I still do. What always will be a challenge is the uphill parts as those we lack here in The Netherlands.

Stephanie Thornton

Hey Everyone, I am looking forward to traveling & supporting you on your tour across Italy. This will be my 5th TDA tour. In between tours, I do all sorts of other work spanning from Fighting forest fires to working with Doctors Without Borders. Can't wait to ride bikes with all of you and eat gelato when we aren't!

Sophie DeGroot

When I’m not leading day cycling tours in Alaska, I seem to find myself out and about with TDA. This will be my third trip - after having crewed both East & West Africa in 2018. As your ATD I look forward to getting to know you all while we ride (and eat!) our way through SE Asia.

Albert Rundel

Steven deGroot

From Seattle. Rode in Tanzania last year. looking forward to some sun!

mulawarman mulawarman

This is my 1st tour I will have.

Mark Lutz

Graham Hughes

I am aged 61 and semi-retired. Now running my own sports timing business, based on the Isle of Man. I have been a cyclist since my teens and ride Mountain Bike, Road and also love long distance touring: Land's End to John O'Groats; Circumnavigation of Ireland; Pyrenees Traverse Spain & France. Raid Alpine x 2, Raid Dolomite x 2. I have done several seasons in the Alps, Pyrenees & Dolomites and numerous sportives, long-distance day races etc.

Rhett Barker

Born & bred in Johannesburg South Africa. I was schooled at Rivonia Primary and moved to King Edward VII for high school. I finished my bachelor of commerce degree at the University of South Africa. I married the love of my life Tessa in 1993 and We have three children, Steph & Gabbi who are both studying abroad and Josh who has just started high school in Johannesburg. I started working for Barker Insurance Brokers in 1989 and work alongside my wife, brother, sister in law and my parents in our family business. I adore my family, love adventuring outdoors and passionate about sailing, cycling, running, swimming & endurance events.

Jean Kapala Brown

Andrew Batty

Hello Looking forward to joining the TDA tour in Mbeya. I'm an Architectural Technician from Exeter, UK.

Jill Cohen

Hi Everyone! Really looking forward to joining Bamboo Road 2022 as your Tour Medic. Saddle sores happen--I'm here to help, and we'll get through it. :) A bit about me: I've been an ER Nurse for 20 years, and now I do travel medicine and remote primary care. I love running amok outdoors on a bike, a snowboard, a boat, or my own two feet. Colorado is home base. I'm curious about the world, so I go on lots of expeditions, explorations, journeys, and trips. If you ask "Hey wanna come visit me in Siberia," I am that person who will show up on your doorstep. This is more or less how I started working with TDA. My last tour was Magical Madagascar in 2019, and I'm super excited to do another. Ok, see y'all soon!

Scott Cornish

A cyclist since I was 17, I took off on my first solo adventure at 18, touring across the French Alpes, getting in as many cols as the legs could manage! I wasn't fast, but the experience set my love for discovery and adventure on the bike. I took to stage racing at the age of 34 after getting 2nd in a local 12hour solo race, with the 3rd edition of the Cape Epic being my 1st stage race! 10 years and a few podium spots later I have gone full circle, back to crossing mountain ranges with a loaded bike, sometimes as a ride, sometimes as a race. As an ambassador for Gore Wear and Squirt Lubes I am lucky enough to get to test out new products under all weather conditions and the TdA will be the perfect testing ground, for the distance and the terrain. As a recent resident of Chamonix, high in the Alpes of France, winter training has consisted of ski touring and riding the fatbike across snow covered trails and in sub zero temperatures!

Jenny Reid

I’m delighted to be the medic for the South American Epic 2020, having previously been the medic for the Tour d'Afrique 2019. I completed my MBChB in Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, and before that read Geography at the University of Cambridge. I currently work in Trauma and Orthopaedics and I am studying for a Masters in Global Health at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm this year. Outside of medicine I love cycling, the outdoors and art. Sporting highlights include winning the Cambridge vs Oxford boat race, representing Scotland, racing in the Zambezi International Regatta and cycling the Etape du Tour in the French alps. I have run the Sierre Zinal mountain trail race in the Swiss alps five times. Very much looking forward to meeting the team and preparing for the expedition!

Stephanie Thornton

Hey Everyone, I am looking forward to traveling & supporting you on your tour across Italy. This will be my 5th TDA tour. In between tours, I do all sorts of other work spanning from Fighting forest fires to working with Doctors Without Borders. Can't wait to ride bikes with all of you and eat gelato when we aren't!

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!

Laundon Peacock

Freelance filmmaker lucky enough to be documenting the Tour d'Afrique for TDA. I'm excited to capture the journey of those game enough to cycle across Africa, and find out what drives them. Loads of awesome content to come.