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.

Christopher (Kit) Campbell

Transecting Africa remains an unfinished project; the memories and experiences of 2020 are in daily thoughts. We'll try again in 2022, and just hope that the situation will allow the ride to continue even if it's to be in a somewhat attenuated form.

Jim FOWLER

I'm a nomad based in the Florida Keys. I did the 2020 Tour d'Afrique from Cairo to Arusha (where it was canceled due to Covid-19). I hope to finish the Tour d'Afrique in 2022. I also hope to ride the Silk Route in 2022.

Uwe Rydzek

Kathie Knell

Ex Army Officer and Leadership Consultant, married with 3 teenagers. Relative cycling novice!

Kevin McAleer

Tonianne Pease

I am determined to live life to the fullest, finding excitement, humour and wonder from surroundings at every turn. I have a strong energy to apply towards work and play. I enjoy people, observe them, interact with them, sharing time and creating joy. This is not my first rodeo, each day is a fresh adventure to hold and praise. Charge ahead!

Thys Neser

I am a businessman in South Africa age 64. If I had the ability I would have liked to be a competitive cyclist. Due to the fact that I kept on growing I can now only enjoy touring on by road or MTB in Africa and many other places in the world.

Christopher (PaPow) Henry

I am a 69 year old retired electronics executive. I biked across the US from San Diego to St. Augustine, FL , in 2018. I also lead two long bike rides: Vancouver, BC to Tijuana, 2019, and Bangor, Maine to Key West, 2020. This summer I will ride the Mississippi River Trail. I also have hiked the Camino de Santiago across Northern Spain, and, the Fisherman’s Trail up the coast of Portugal. I have 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. I enjoy helping in their school classrooms.

Katie Barbour-Smith

Johann du Toit

58 year old keen Mountain Biker living in Johannesburg, South Africa. Enjoy touring and experiencing diffirent environments and cultures on my Mountain Bike. Doing this tour with 2 friends Thys Neser and Rod Cairns.

Coni Dean

Biking and exploring.

Rod Cairns

I am a semi retired South African businessman who has enjoyed endurance sports throughout my life. With long distance running and canoeing now on the back burner I have been having fun riding my mountain bike all over South Africa and have completed 5 Cape Epics events . In addition I have done several races and tours in Portugal, Spain,Chile, the Himalayas , Morocco , Malawi and Rwanda . I have been married to my wife Pat for 40 years ,we have a son and two daughters, two granddaughters and a grandson .

Simon Boyd

Originally from the UK (I obtained Irish citizenship after the Brexit vote), I lived in Poland for 27 years but currently spend my time between South Africa and Portugal. was a chartered accountant by trade and spent the last 20 years of my working life in the cable tv business, originally in the finance area but for most of the time in general management. Now retired I now spend my time on the golf course as it is my main passion. I completed the Pub Ride 2 in 2018 and was hoping to do the inaugural Journey to the East but had to cancel due to other commitments. Been doing quite a bit of mountain biking. Looking forward to getting back on the road!

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).

Joanne Snow

Hello. I am a rehabilitation medicine physician taking time off to realize some cycling goals. I am looking forward to a new adventure by bike.

Bill Heidler

I am a 67-year-old American, still working. I’ve been biking at least somewhat avidly since I was in college. I live in San Diego CA so can ride year round and have lots of terrain choices for workout rides. I belong to a local age-appropriate cycle club and ride regularly. I enjoy studying languages and have spent a little time looking at a book on Afrikaans, I would very much like to get some tutoring from a native speaker during the tour. I really want to go see Africa, I’ve never been there.

Elisabet Otterstedt

I am very much looking forward to experience countries I haven't seen yes. The route is the target!