Felice de Schutter

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

Samuel Covins

UK-based doctor working in emergency & expedition medicine and previous tour medic on the Tour d'Afrique. Looking forward to cycling around Asia with you all on the Trans Himalaya and Golden Buddha tours later this year!

Max Cochran

Having been a mechanic for many years and on TDA tours the last four years, I have noted a few common mechanical issues that riders encountered. Namely, cables, bearings and tires. Please check that your brake and shift cables are working smoothly, not frayed or rusty. Heck, just replace your cables before you leave, they are not expensive. Hubs and bottom brackets often need special parts and tools that are beyond the scope of my toolkit. I'll do what I can, but it is best if they are running well before you start off. Make sure your tires are good quality, in good condition and that the rim tapes are covering the spoke holes properly to avoid having to fix flats. I once again look forward to the sights, the food, the culture, the riding, but most of all, to getting out of the basement workshop and solving people's bike problems with a minimum of tools in the fresh air and sunshine (and occasional rain). Speaking of rain, fenders go a long way in keeping you and your bike running well in wet weather.

Dehon Ninon Cedric Ainarime

Born and live in Madagascar I worked as Tour guide in Madagascar since 2012 I started as local support for TDA on the Magical Madagascar 2017 and after that i am so lucky to became one of the TDA staff member until now. "While you have the opportunity to do such thing,do it, because there will be a time where you wanna do it but you can't do it anymore" My next trip will be the TDA 2025 and the Magical Madagascar 2025 I look forward to meeting you all

Coby Werlin

Cycling, photographing, video-ing, and traveling -- what could be better?! I cherish the many precious and unique experiences that these tours have unlocked for me over the years, so let's keep 'em coming! You might see me out on the road snapping pics, shooting a short rider interview at lunch, or editing on a rest day in the lobby. My goal is always to bring the tour to life through visual media -- to share with friends, family, and the greater TDA community, and as memories for riders to cherish for years to come. See you on the road!

Andreas Pakenham

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

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

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

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

Rachel Vanderzwet

Coming from Victoria, BC I have been fortunate to join TDA on a number of tours over the last 5 years. I'm looking forward to joining the upcoming Golden Buddha Ride and to continue to explore the world by bicycle!

Marie-Josée Vasseur

It’s always a joy to be on a bike, see the world and meet new people. See you on the road!

Elaine Cox

Steve Rogers

I'm an active cyclist, always seeking new adventures...wherever the road takes me. Having thoroughly enjoyed several past TDA trips, I now look forward to the 2027 Amber Route!

Frank Wichlo

I have done 5 TDA trips and I plan to keep doing them as long as I am able, or the money runs out.

Uwe Rydzek

Omar Francone

Born and raised in Argentina, I did my undergraduate studies there before continuing with graduate work in France and the U.S. I spent my career in medical science, working in both academia and the biotech industry, most recently in Boston, where I’ve recently retired. I’ve always loved sports—playing and following many over the years. This will be my second tour with TDA, and I’m excited to meet everyone, share great moments, and make some unforgettable memories along the way!

David Ross

I am 70 and semi-retired. Had a great trip with TDA Taiwan to Singapore before covid, Part of OrientExpress in 2022 and just finished Journey to the East

Michael Doucet

This will be my fifth TDA tour. Excited to meet the riders and ride with Jacqueline.

Jonathan Klein

I retired in 2012 after a thirty-four year career managing wilderness and recreation for the U.S. Forest Service. Now 71, I am attempting to shovel sand from the bottom of the hourglass back to the top, which, I've been told by several bike salesmen, can be accomplished by pushing pedals around in circles. If not pedaling, I'm paddling and have taken several trips via canoe or kayak to northern latitudes in Canada and Alaska. I reside in Montana with my sweet wife and a couple of cats.

Sabine Hoffmann

My husband and I live in Berlin and Italy with - sometimes - our two kids, who live actually in London and the US. We like to do sports of any kind and decided to do this bicycle trip for having fun, learn more about foreign areas and having some nature experience. I don`t like social media, which does not mean that I am not a social person.

Grant Mcintosh

Hi I’m 66yr old dairy farmer from Culverden New Zealand. Completed 3 TDA tours Trans Caucasus, GolfenBudda,TDA Nairobi to Capetown 2024. Looking forward to to Almaty to Keiva SilkRoad 2025.

Anthony Rock

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

Raul Costa

I’m Raul from Lisbon, Portugal. After a career in banking, I’ve retired in 2022 in order to enjoy life at a slower pace. Cycling different regions of the world is part of that plan. I’m looking forward to meeting all fellow riders.

Francine Plante

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ! On n’est pas à la plage... #damnFOMO #diebroke

David Odonnell

53yrs old, from Manchester UK. TDA tour no 5. Looking forward to S E Asia. C U all soon. Cheers. David.

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

G. Michael Keltos

Aloha, Greetings from O'ahu. I have been living and riding around these beautiful islands over the past 35 years and am currently a member of the Hawai'i Bicycling League to stay active and socialize with fellow riders and also often train indoors with ROUVY. As an avid global traveler who enjoys experiencing new places and cultures, I discovered TDA in 2022 and its unique way of exploring the world from a bicycle vantage point. My most recent TDA tour was The Tea Route in early 2026. The Bamboo Road trip will be my 7th tour with TDA, and I look forward to many more to come. May this be a safe and exciting adventure for us all!

Rita Tellerman

Hi! My name is Rita and I am a retired Public Health Nutritionist living in New York City. I can’t wait for the next TDA adventure. .

Alexandra Findlay

I love to travel and find new adventures. Looking forward to challenging myself, experiencing new places, meeting new people and seeing some amazing sites.

David Stein

Ex nerd, now older and cantankerous. This is my third TDA trip -- I very much enjoyed the Great American Roadtrip in 2021 and the Golden Buddha in 2023.

Marco Panebianco

photos.google.com/albums CIAO!

Mark James

I have recently retired from corporate life and am looking forward to getting out and seeing more of the world than the office-airport-hotel-office hamster wheel I've been running on for the last 35 years!

Geoffrey Kehr

I retired 2 years ago and reside in Bahrain with my partner. I have 2 grown up sons living in Belgium & the U.K. International travel is firmly in my blood and I have an insatiable wanderlust; always seeking new locations, cultures & experiences for adventure. My former sporting passion was marathon running and I completed all 6 marathon majors. My running CV also includes the South Pole marathon and a half marathon in North Korea. My newly developing sport activity is long distance cycling and this took a large leap forward having recently completed 2 TDA tour segments; The Golden Buddha and the Bamboo Road ride. I am now well and truly enjoying my new pursuit! Silk Road here we go!

Paul Doucet

I look forward to meeting my fellow travellers/cyclists and sharing this trip with my younger brother Michael. This will be our third TDA trip together.

Anne Thompson

Looking forward to this trip!

Gordon Mazurek

Completed the Pub Ride in 2018 and the Golden Buddha ride in 2023. Enjoy cycling and looking forward to experiencing more of SE Asia and meeting old and new TDA friends.

Karen Mazurek

I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband, Gordon. I am happiest outdoors hiking, biking and skiing. I love travel and believe there is no better way to experience another place than on foot or on a bike. This will be my 3rd tour with TDA.

Jane Clark

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