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!

Yanez Novoa

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

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!

Nirmika A

It's been quite a journey from finding about TDA through a friend..to being the content creator for two tours, The Hippie Trail and The Trans - Himalaya.... and to now being a tour leader trainee for TDA 2023! Can't wait to experience this epic of an adventure with you all!

Shaik Baba

Baba is a maestro in the art of cycle maintenance. He has close to 20 years of experience in the industry along with 10 years of travelling the length and breath of the country on cycle trips and camps. India is a highly diversified country with many languages. With five spoken languages under his belt, Baba is an asset to have on the team. Baba is a very friendly team person and ever willing to help & contribute in all aspects.

depi Chaudhry

Peter Hodges

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

Erwin Attenberger

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

Marie-Josée Vasseur

Ron Jewula

I live in Victoria and Whistler, Canada. Although I am more at home either on a sailboat or skiing, a couple years ago I rediscovered cycling after a short 48 year break. This will be my first trip to India and Nepal so very much looking forward to the ride. I still have a couple years of youth left before I turn 70, so what better way to enjoy life. I’ve done a couple longer rides – across Canada in 2015, Silk Route with TDA in 2014 until a rather inglorious end in Western China (I wasn’t watching and crashed out), then returning again in 2016 to complete the full ride. It will be great to ride again with many good friends – See you in Srinagar next August.

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.

Michael Netzsch

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

Caroline Denee

The Silk Road in 2014 was my first tour with TDA and my first long distance tour, now I'm back for more. A chance to reunite with old friends, make new friends and to meet like minded souls from all around the world. To explore by bike gives you the chance to experience remote locations, bustling cities, try new cuisines, be part of different cultures, take on new challenges, get plenty of exercise and to have the camaraderie at camp at the end of the day to share the highs and the lows with those who understand. In 2019 I completed the first trans Himalaya tour and that was quite an adventure. Europe will be very different this time. Can't wait for this adventure to begin !

Frieder Wolfart

After riding with TDA one and a half time the Silkroad, the Magical Madagaskar and the Himalaya Tour it's time for the next one to South Korea an Japan. For me Korea and Japan are totally unknown countries and it's time to change that. I am looking forward to meet some old friends again and to find some new ones.

ellen loopstra

Simon Thompson

I'm an independent IT Consultant. Really looking forward to the Trans-Himalaya - it will be my first major cycling tour and it looks like it will be quite an adventure!

Per Sörner

Freelance engineer, musician and reality hacker from the Swedish west coast. Currently on an indefinite sabbatical to explore life, the universe and everything. I find expedition cycling a good way to practise living in the present, enjoy a "simple" life, see the world, fill up with new impressions and stretch the edge of my comfort zone. Previous TdA experience: Hong Kong to Bangkok (Bamboo Road premiere 2013), Bali to Alice Springs (Trans-Oceania premiere 2014), Quito to Cusco (SAE 2015), Ulan Bator to Gorno-Altaysk (Silk Route 2016), Freetown to Cape Coast (West Africa en Vélo premiere 2018) and Kashmir to Kathmandu (Trans Himalaya premiere 2019).

Bernice Aebly

This is me having fun in Vermont. This will be my fifth time with TDA, Orient Express in 2018, Baja section of North American Tour, 2013; Australia 2104; and 2 month Silk Route in 2016. The draw for the Silk Route was going through Mongolia . This new tour in the Himalayas is an area that I have not travel to before. Looking forward to the experience and meeting up again with friends from past tours. Wow so excited, a space came available for Journey to the East 2, so here I go again. So many good friends to meet up with again and to enjoy Japan. See you all soon.

Jonna Koch

I feel alive when I am riding on my bike. At home in Denmark I ride flat so I prefer to ride in the mountains when I am cycling abroad. I did the Trans-Himalaya in 2019 and the Kingdom of the West in Morocco in 2022 and Trans-Caucasus in 2022.

Brigitte Oelert

I am married to Jürgen Willrodt and our first vacation 30 years ago was a bike tour through France. After our kids were grown, Jürgen convinced me to ride the Ruta Maya in Central America in 2015. It was my first TDA tour, which was tough but absolutely fantastic! The following year I cycled part of the Trans-Oceania Tour - from Auckland to Queenstown and in 2019 the first 4 weeks of the Trans-Himalaya Tour. Now I'm looking forward to cycling in Korea and Japan, to meet some friends and to eat the delicious food.

Dunnery Best

Victoria B.C. Canadian. Hikes, bikes and races and cruises sailboats. Snow sports: downhill, board, XC classic and skate . Devoted mushroom hunter.

Marco Panebianco

CIAO!

Rod Pennington

Hi there fellow adventure travellers....so excited to jump into this part of the world with you.

Harold Solomon

Husband of 20 years and father of a high school senior, Ben and freshman, Mira. I love adventures and need one now to get my next chapter in life booted up. Always worked well when I've done that in the past and I hope it brings the same magic again.

Catriona Kennedy

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

Don Colpitts

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

Ruth Storm

Joining the Tour d’Afrique in 2007 was the beginning of my love of cycle touring. Since, I’ve cycled independently in Europe, New Zealand, Middle East, North America, TDA Silk Road 2016, TDA Madagascar 2019 and TDA Himalayas 2019. I also sail, trek, climb and ski long distances and remotely. Looking forward to exploring with like-minded friends!

Henry Gold

Founder, TDA Global Cycling

Richard Feldman

In the last several years, I’ve ridden both the Southern Tier Cross Country Route in the USA as well as the Route 66 trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. In 2017 I rode the TDA Bamboo Road from Shanghai to Singapore. The Himalayas will be my fourth major bike trip and second with TDA. Semi-retired, divorced with two adult sons. I predominately live in and bike New York City. I also spend a fair amount of time living in Santa Monica on the California coast. Enthusiastically looking forward to this new adventure!

gonzalo garcia

Hello I am Gonzalo García, from Ecuador, a life time sports fan, bike lover that enjoy adventures, meet new people and cultures.

Peye Vlot

Since 1990 living and working ( dental surgeon ) in Muscat ( Sultanate of Oman ).

Juan Xavier Checa

Hello, my name is Juan Xavier Checa, I am from Ecuador. I love to be in the nature and make new friends. I am waiting to start riding my bike in this tour!!!!!

Ross Norton

Lover of mountains, keen mountain biker, Capetonian and father to two teenage daughters

Fred Promoli

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

Juergen Willrodt

I am 73 years old and have already participated in 10 TDA tours mainly as a sectional rider. I am married and happy father of three girls (42, 27 and 24) and grandfather of three grandchildren. I am partly retired working now just 1 or 2 days a week which gives me plenty of time to travel. I have studied physics and have a Ph.D. in theoretical particle physics. I have been active in sports all my life and before I started doing cycling tours I have been active in Karate and participated in World Championships 1975 in Los Angeles and 1977 in Tokyo and became European Champion in 1977. You can find more information on my website.

Michael Kennedy

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

Rae Simpson

I'm a retired test pilot/engineer/other aviation things. I took up cycling when arthritis and a double hip replacement ended my running career. My wife, Ursula, and I have done a number of TDA trips starting with Africa in 2008, using them as our window to places we haven't been before. We've enjoyed every one. We only signed up for Morocco in 2022 after JTE was again delayed and we're looking to riding with some friends from previous trips as well as meeting new ones. After that, we're hoping that Shangri-La and JTE will be able to go in 2023.

Ursula Simpson

I am a retired database analyst. Enjoying life in Squamish, on Canada's West coast. Either hiking, biking, or skiing. Having fun with my two grandsons and one grand daughter or hanging out with friends. My husband Rae and I are seasoned riders with TdA. Tour d’Afrique in 2008, Rome in 2012, Bamboo Road in 2013 and Australia in 2014. New Zealand in 2016. The Magical Madagascar tour in 2017. Hippie trail in 2019 and The Himalayas in 2019. Morocco in 2022.