Micah Markson

“A mountain biker at heart, but bike touring pays the bills!”

Most of the time, I work at the TDA head office in Toronto as the IT Manager, but I also sometimes work on the tours as needed, either as a guide or a bike mechanic. I landed here because my uncle mentioned to me he had a friend—Henry—with this crazy bike company, the friend and I met, and the rest is history.

I studied Business and IT at university, and my previous job was at an exotic car dealership. In my own time, I do more mountain biking than touring, and usually find nice trails to ride wherever our tours take me. Outside of TDA, I’ve cycled across Europe and half of Canada.

The Pamir Highway was a peak experience for me! As a mountain biker, I always love the roughest, crappiest roads our tours travel on. My favourite day of the entire Silk Route was actually the day that most of the other riders thought was the worst—it ended with a long switchback descent on a rough gravel road.

Every day brings a new challenge to solve, whether here in the office or on the side of a road in the desert. I really value that element of my job and relish it immensely.

Frida Percival

Medical doctor working in Sweden and travelling the world with my husband Douglas as often as we can!

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.

David Freeman

I am a semi-retired lawyer living in Melbourne Australia. I have cycled all over the world including five tours with TDA but never in Japan. The opportunity in 2020 to cycle from Seoul to Sapporo is too good to miss and I am looking forward to that tour!

Hanns Fellenz

Married 39 years, 4 children, 2 grandchildren. Retired CIO World traveler; 2 circumnavigations by air and train on 5 continents. TDA Epics x 2 (so far)

Joachim Loeffel

I am 53, adventurer and a passionate cyclist and scuba diver. This is my 4th tour with Tour d'Afrique. After completing TdA in 2008 the travel bug always stayed with me. 'Surviving' the Doomsday Ride 2012, I needed another break from office work and daily commute through the well known forests and fields where I am living. Trans-Oceania brings me to Australia, the continent I haven't been before and a chance to finally meet some co-workers in Sydney, whom I only know from phone conferences and email. My primary goal is to enjoy each day on the saddle and having enough time to experience and taste the always new environment and scenery, inhale the air and sounds of nature and interact with the people, my camera always ready to conserve the impressions and memories of this trip. I am looking forward to meeting with fellow riders and staff members from my previous tours and make new friends.

Paul Clarke

Dara (see other rider profiles) and I are taking a break from our jobs in London to travel, and this seems like a great start. First time with TDA. First time on a bike tour longer than 3 days. Can't wait.

Dara Delamere

Paul C (see other rider profiles) is my other half. Just picked up cycling a couple years ago as a 'let's do something different in my 40s' idea. Look forward to transforming it to more than just a daily commute and weekend challenge. Also making the most of a career break to focus on a healthy adventure and way to refocus energy. Imagine I'll compete quite effectively with Stirling for back of the pack award.

Berne Broudy

I am a Vermont-based writer and photographer, and I love to ride bikes, any kind, anywhere.

Annegrete Warrer

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

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, 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) and Freetown to Cape Coast (West Africa en Vélo premiere 2018).

matthew clark

Dana Sweet

I retired from the State of Alaska 10 years ago and now spend the winters in the Calif. desert and summers in Ak. My husband and I bicycle toured the West Coast of the US and New Zealand many years ago and done a few short tours in Alaska since then. We have traveled in many parts of the world (Africa, Asia, South America etc.) and are looking forward to seeing Australia by bike.

Kirsten Jorgensen

Hi! I am cycling one section from Darwin to Alice Springs. From there I plan to fly south to visit friends in Adelaide. I am an anaesthetist and work at a large hospital on the West Coast of Sweden. I love to travel and have lived and worked in Australia for a few years. This is my chance to experience The Northern Territory by bike - an opportunity I cannot miss.

Chelsea Larock

Hi! I'm Chelsea and I'm a nurse from Ottawa, Ontario. I will be your medic for the Trans-Oceania tour. I look forward to meeting everyone and enjoying lots of time outside! Good luck with your planning and training! See you all soon!

Robert [Bob] Edwards

I am a retired civil engineer, specialising in water supply and sewerage systems in Australia and Asia. I have flown gliders for the last forty years mainly in Australia and USA. Since retiring from engineering I motored my Nordhavn 46 from the Mediterranean via Panama to Australia. With regard to cycling I cycled Sydney to Brisbane last year.

Daryl Allen

Retired bike tragic

Andreas Pakenham

If doing this trip once has others questioning your sanity, doing it twice must confirm its missing. As this is my second time leading this wild, beautiful, and challenging trip, you could say I've fallen hard for the old trade route. My goals this time around, are getting fewer people lost, and finally discovering the fabled peanut butter merchants of Central Asia ;)

Shirley Davey

This will be my forth trip with Tour d'Aftrique. I have registered to do just Adelaide to Sidney. This summer besides day rides I have rode from Niagara on the Lake to along the lakeshore to Port Hope and then to Peterborough. Recently have returned from riding the Cabot Trail. Didn't make to the top of North mountain, it was too steep. I thought this trip it would be good training for Australia. Other information, My background is nursing, and am mainly retired. This summer, I spent two sessions as a camp nurse, it was great fun, but busy.

Erik Werner Loy

Coming soon...

Jennie Marie Loy

At 59 years of age I have learned there’s nothing better than experiencing the culture and beauty of a country from the seat of a bicycle, and I expect to do just that on the Trans-Oceania Tour this year. This will be my second tour with TDA. The first was from Nairobi to Cape Town. During that trip I learned many things about myself (some of which I didn’t like). On this trip I want to refine what I learned in Africa. I want to focus less on getting from point A to point Z each day and more on experiencing the people, the culture and the scenery. In Africa I had some good role models that I want to emulate. My challenge to myself on the section I’ve signed up for, between Medan and Dili, is to stop and smell the roses. I look forward to meeting new friends and creating new memories.

Jodi Barnett

I live, work, and play in Alaska. I'm looking forward to an adventure and break from my day to day routine. I wish I could do more sections of the tour, but I feel lucky to at least get a 6 week break from work.

Rosi Winn

Having risen across Africa in 2013 I couldn't resist the idea of getting back on the bike and riding some more, even if I can only get away and join you all for a few weeks. Look forward to meeting everyone in Indonesia.

Linda Wille

Mark Lutz

Hello, I'm Mark, and I'll be your chef for the tour, joining you in Darwin. I'm excited to be a part of this amazing adventure, and look forward to meeting everyone when you reach Australia.

Gerald Coniel

After completing the Tour d'Afrique 2010, the Bamboo road in 2013 and Australia in 2014 this will be my 4th full tour with Tda. Quite a few familiar faces already booked for this exciting new adventure. Looking forward!

Charles Juge

Retired carpenter, live in Alaska 4 months a year 4 months in indo CA, 4 months Kilauea Hawaii , avid walker, love fishing, boating, biking ,building things, playing with the dog Winnie.

Nellie Gold-Pastor

I'm 17 years old (going to be 18) from Washington D.C. I will be doing the Trans-Oceania Tour as part of my gap year before I go to University! I'm Henry's niece, and am very excited to try out the trip!

David Jones

Looking forward to joining the TDA group for their last stage.

Henry Gold

“Seeing the impact the tours have on participants gives me great satisfaction.”

I set up TDA in 2002 with the hope of creating a truly unique bicycle adventure in Africa, where I spent a significant amount of time in the late ’80s and early ’90s. The idea was to have fun but also to advocate for cycling and donate some bikes to health care workers in Africa.

I love seeing and experiencing the world so any new place to explore gives me great pleasure. My favorite experience has to be arriving in Cape Town on the inaugural Tour d’Afrique and proving to all the skeptics and naysayers that it could be done—because we did it.

Another story that sticks out was when I wasn’t feeling well in southern Tanzania and took a room in the Baptist Conference compound in order to be close to the toilet. I took my money belt off and put it on a chair. In the morning I put on my cycling clothes but forgot the belt. That afternoon arriving in camp I realized I’d left the belt behind. When I made my way back to the Baptist centre it was gone. Since it contained a substantial amount of money I reported the loss to the local police, who decided to investigate. They got a list of the people who worked at the centre and proceeded to go from house to house, ransacking each one. I felt sick to my stomach and asked them to stop but they refused. In the end, they took me to the police station, insisting they needed to write a report.

Afterwards, I took a local express bus, which actually stopped every couple of kilometres, loading and unloading dozens of people on and off a van that had nine seats. Eventually, the bus reached its destination but I needed to hire a taxi to get to the campsite. The taxi driver and I struck a price and off we went. After a while, the driver decided he’d driven far enough for the price and wanted to drop me in the middle of nowhere in the dark. I prodded him on and he continued for a bit before wanting to stop again; we repeated this exercise several times. Right as we neared the camp, the taxi’s motor died. I pushed the car to the side of the road and paid the agreed amount, adding a generous tip, but the driver was unhappy. It turned out there’d been a misunderstanding—I’d offered him $15 but he’d understood $50. The misunderstanding grew into a heated argument and drew a small crowd. Suddenly there was a huge bang and I felt a whoosh of air as if a bullet had just missed me—a truck without lights had hit the taxi full on. I was convinced people had also been hit but although the taxi had been demolished, no one was hurt. The next morning, one of the staff asked me if I recalled what I’d said after the bang. I didn’t so he reminded me, repeating what I’d said: “What a day I’m having.”

I love my job because it lets me cycle the world and because of the endless possibility for unique experience it affords me. I also derive immense satisfaction from seeing the way tour participants are affected. For most of them, our cycling tours are life-changers.

Mike Donohue

Avid cyclist and adventurer. Haven not been to Asia since 2001, so am looking forward to exploring Indonesia!

Jonathan Shepheard

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.

Lydia Rickard

I'm Lydia, I'm 31 and live in Queensland. I am a triathlete and spend most of my waking minutes swimming, biking or running. I have lived and travelled overseas for about 7 years and despite having travelled within dozens of countries it recently occurred to me that I had not been outside of my home state. I am looking forward to seeing other parts of Australia.

Douglas Percival

Flinging spanners, clicking gears. Juggling bike spares & Humans Habits to create Bicycle Tours that function in crazy locations. See you guys at the next crazy location.

Daniela Hohme

This is Daniela from Berlin, I have a passion for travelling near and far, love cycling and am really excited about my new adventure, the people I will meet during the tour and the places we visit. Can't wait.

Bob Tessier

In 2010 cross Canada, 2011 North American Epic and 2013 the new North American Epic I'm not a fast rider -

Brett Lanham

I’m an ex seafarer, retired now for 7 years, fortunate enough to have been able to get away on a bike tour with TdA every year since 2011. In 2020 I'm down to do the new finish to the Trans Europa in Gibraltar and the lap around Tasmania on the Trans Oceania. I look forward to catching up with friends from past rides and meeting new ones and sharing this great adventure with a beer, or two.

Daniel Frye

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

Fred Promoli

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

Jacqueline Goodall

Cant wait to hit the road for another TDA Tour! Looking forward to seeing some old touring buddies and meeting some new ones. Wish I was joining you for the full tour, but feel very lucky to be able to get away from work for three sections.

Jacqueline Nel

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

John Waterhouse

This will be my eighth TDA tour. Obviously, I am an addict. Why do I enjoy it enough to keep coming back? The people, the sights, sounds and smells of distant lands, the food, the physical challenge and the comradery of touring.

Paul Davison

62 years old, retired engineer. Coming back for another instalment of South America. Not a fast rider, but a persistant one.

Rae Simpson

I'm a 75-year old semi-retired test pilot, still flying jets and instructing part-time at International Test Pilots School. I took up cycling when arthritis and a double hip replacement ended to my running career. Korea-Japan will be our ninth TDA trip - we (Ursula and I) did Africa in 2008 and we keep coming back for more, most recently the inaugural Trans-Himalaya - great way to see places we've not been before, always a good group of fellow riders, always well supported. To fellow participants in Journey to the East, we look forward to meeting you and to exploring what is new territory for us, and we're forward to again riding with old friends from previous TDA trips.

Shirley Frye

Have enjoyed many TDA trips and hope to do many many more.

Stirling Lee

I probably like cycling more than cycling likes me. That means I will probably be at the rear of the group but I have completed every trip I have been on. I enjoy eating enormous amounts of food, cycling means I do not gain weight while eating. I also speak a little of any language in any part of the world we are likely to travel in.

Ursula Simpson

I am a retired database analyst. Enjoying life in Squamish, on Canada's West coast. Either hiking, biking or skiing, or entertaining my little grandson. 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

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.

Evelyn Holland

I thought I was done with TDA trips, but have discovered I can't get their trips out of my system quite yet! We have traveled many places on our bicycles, but never in Europe, so this will be a fun new adventure for us!

Greg Forst

Have been a cyclist since '92 doing a variety of things including commuting to work, week long rides, after work group rides and more recently longer duration rides including one across the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon of Canada. I enjoyed the challenges and scenery of the Outback and the terrain of New Zealand on the 2016 Trans Oceania tour. Rode the Bamboo trail and enjoyed it immensely. Had an overall good time on the Hippie Trail. The food was great and the whole experience was incredible.

Linda Wille

Brigitte Oelert

In 2015, my husband Jürgen convinced me to cycle the Ruta Maya in Central America. 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. After that I cycled in Nepal, Sikkim and Myanmar. Wonderful! That's why I wanted to do a part of the Trans-Himalaya (the first 4 weeks). Absolutely fantastic! Now I am looking forward to cycling in Korea and Japan. And I'm also looking forward to meeting some friends on this tour and finding new ones!

Michele Kline

My Husband Anthony (Tony) and I, are from Hobart in Tasmania...we went on our first TDA tour in 2014 from Lima to Cuzco our second one was NZ from Auckland to Queenstown 2015, last year we did our first full tour the Pub Ride. We are looking forward to our first Italian visit and our second full tour!

Anthony kline

54yrs old small business owner building concreting landscaping. Enjoy adventure activities, have walked everest base camp and kilimanjaro successfully. Been a keen cyclist for several years, in 2015 Michele and did our first TDA trip from Lima to Cusco. Last year we completed Auckland to Queenstown and now looking forward to the Pub ride.

Bill Wilson

This will be my 10th 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, and the North American Epic . I retired four 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 traveling. I am looking forward to getting together with some old friends and making some new ones.

Kaye Hudson

Previous tours Trans Europa 2012 and South America 2015. Looking forward to catching up with riders from previous rides and meeting new riders.

Guy Bonnetta

I'M retired agri industry professional 64 and turning 65 for this cycling trip with your organization. Charles Feaver a cycling buddy here in Winnipeg encouraged me to join him for our 65 birthday celebration.

Yvonne Waalewijn

Nationality: Dutch Gender: Female Occupation: retired/dive instructor Passions:diving, biking, travelling the world and looking forward to another adventure

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.

Cristian Muntean

I'm a nerd by day, coding away at websites and learning about new technologies. When I'm away from my computer, I can be found hitting the trails on my mtb or tackling rolling hills on my road bike. Otherwise, I enjoy music, reading books and seizing new opportunities in life!

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?

Yanez Novoa

Exited to be part of the team.

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!

Micah Markson

“A mountain biker at heart, but bike touring pays the bills!”

Most of the time, I work at the TDA head office in Toronto as the IT Manager, but I also sometimes work on the tours as needed, either as a guide or a bike mechanic. I landed here because my uncle mentioned to me he had a friend—Henry—with this crazy bike company, the friend and I met, and the rest is history.

I studied Business and IT at university, and my previous job was at an exotic car dealership. In my own time, I do more mountain biking than touring, and usually find nice trails to ride wherever our tours take me. Outside of TDA, I’ve cycled across Europe and half of Canada.

The Pamir Highway was a peak experience for me! As a mountain biker, I always love the roughest, crappiest roads our tours travel on. My favourite day of the entire Silk Route was actually the day that most of the other riders thought was the worst—it ended with a long switchback descent on a rough gravel road.

Every day brings a new challenge to solve, whether here in the office or on the side of a road in the desert. I really value that element of my job and relish it immensely.

Abhimanyu Sethi

Last year I participated in my first TDA tour in Australia! It was an incredible experience and it left me wanting more ...now 12 months later, I am excited to get back on the bike, clear the mind, and lose some weight ahead of the long Canadian winter :)

Kevin McAleer

Francine Plante

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ! On n’est pas à la plage...

Rob McPherson

I hope to ride EFI from Alice Springs to home in Melbourne. I am 68 and retired, so I want to do this before I am expired. My daughter, Gen, will have my back from Alice to Adelaide.

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.

Annegrete Warrer

India 2011, Rome 2012, South Asia 2013, Indonesia+Australia 2014, South America 2015, Madagascar 2017 - now it's finally time for Africa although only Marocco, Mauritania and Senegal. Looking forward to test my present abilities surviving another expedition - hope for a little help from my friends of whom there seem to be quite some on this very challenging tour. Looking forward to meet you guys again.. After having managed first part of West Africa I now fell ready for the southern part of East Africa! For the people I still have not met: Danish, living in St. Anton, Austria, 65 years of age.. More of a skier than a cyclist..

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 :)

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 :)

Brett Lanham

I’m an ex seafarer, retired now for 7 years, fortunate enough to have been able to get away on a bike tour with TdA every year since 2011. In 2020 I'm down to do the new finish to the Trans Europa in Gibraltar and the lap around Tasmania on the Trans Oceania. I look forward to catching up with friends from past rides and meeting new ones and sharing this great adventure with a beer, or two.

Brian Cox

I love taking bicycle vacations. I think I took my first bicycle vacation in 1992 or so. All my trips have been on road bikes using commercial touring companies and some tours with friends as well. Click on my blog to see some of my trips. Happy Biking, Brian Cox

Charles Feaver

My first TDA ride was India in 2012. Loved it. Bamboo Road in 2013. Awesome. Ruta Maya 2015. Oceania 2016. South America 2017. Looking forward to going back to Central America.

Dan Kirby

Journey to the East will be my 4th TDA adventure, and I'm looking forward to seeing another part of the globe that I haven't yet visited. As always there will be riders who I have met on other rides, so a chance to catch up with them while making new acquaintances. See you in Seoul!

Juergen Willrodt

I am 69 years old and have already participated in 8 TDA tours mainly as a sectional rider. I am married and happy father of three girls (39, 24 and 22) 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.

Lori Evans

I'm a mother/grandmother/speech pathologist/avid runner/cyclist from San Antonio, Texas. Had a wonderful experience on The Orient Express in 2013. Looking so forward to getting to know everyone and sharing a great adventure!!

Rae Simpson

I'm a 75-year old semi-retired test pilot, still flying jets and instructing part-time at International Test Pilots School. I took up cycling when arthritis and a double hip replacement ended to my running career. Korea-Japan will be our ninth TDA trip - we (Ursula and I) did Africa in 2008 and we keep coming back for more, most recently the inaugural Trans-Himalaya - great way to see places we've not been before, always a good group of fellow riders, always well supported. To fellow participants in Journey to the East, we look forward to meeting you and to exploring what is new territory for us, and we're forward to again riding with old friends from previous TDA trips.

Ursula Simpson

I am a retired database analyst. Enjoying life in Squamish, on Canada's West coast. Either hiking, biking or skiing, or entertaining my little grandson. 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

Walli Pagniello

Hooked on biking with TdA - the best company!!!! My first tour was in 2009 Vienna to Istanbul, on the Orient Express, 2011 Toronto to St. John's, part of initial North American Epic, and 2012 St. Petersburg to Venice, the Amber Route, part of Trans Europa. 2013 I did the amazing Bamboo Road tour. My riding style is slow but steady, need the force to be with me uphill but let her roll downhill! Completed 100-mile day in Cambodia 2016 New Zealand To my "unknown" fellow riders: Please let us get to know you by completing your profile! It's not easy to meet so many at once and remember your names.

Chelsea Conry

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.

Micah Markson

“A mountain biker at heart, but bike touring pays the bills!”

Most of the time, I work at the TDA head office in Toronto as the IT Manager, but I also sometimes work on the tours as needed, either as a guide or a bike mechanic. I landed here because my uncle mentioned to me he had a friend—Henry—with this crazy bike company, the friend and I met, and the rest is history.

I studied Business and IT at university, and my previous job was at an exotic car dealership. In my own time, I do more mountain biking than touring, and usually find nice trails to ride wherever our tours take me. Outside of TDA, I’ve cycled across Europe and half of Canada.

The Pamir Highway was a peak experience for me! As a mountain biker, I always love the roughest, crappiest roads our tours travel on. My favourite day of the entire Silk Route was actually the day that most of the other riders thought was the worst—it ended with a long switchback descent on a rough gravel road.

Every day brings a new challenge to solve, whether here in the office or on the side of a road in the desert. I really value that element of my job and relish it immensely.

Jordan Kadelbach

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

Xufeng Cascketta

I am a traveling registered nurse and moving around the USA with my bike. I got inspired by my cousin in 2014, she did silk route bike tour. Since then I have been riding whenever my time allows me under the circumstances. I am more committed to ride/train this year in order to participate in Trans-oceania in 2018.

Mike Miller

I'm happily retired after a long career in consulting engineering and the aerospace field. While I have been an avid cyclist for decades, I finally did my first long distant tour last year - down historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles here in the US. I travelled a lot internationally for business but somehow never made it to Australia and New Zealand. This Trans-Oceania cycle adventure seems like the perfect way to correct that deficiency in my travel logs!

Christiane Selenz

This is my seventh tour with TdA. The first one was 2010 in the Eastern European countries which got me hooked to this kind of travelling. Now, I am curious to explore Korea and Japan from the saddle of my bike. So looking forward to meet old and new riders.

Jan Kremer

Traveling by bicycle shows you this wonderful world we live in, full of beauty, charm and adventures. It’s like a storybook, with 1.000 pages, and by cycling the continent, you will read it all! My last big bicycle adventure was cycling the Silk Road with TDA, beautiful experience, and I am really looking forward to cycle Australia and New Zealand and say hi to my auntie in Franz Josef village NZ.

Anthony Rock

Mike Busby

A serial cycle tourist always keen to escape winter in the UK! Recently retired and keen to stay active!

Jeffrey Lizotte

A veteran of TDA. A great company. Love touring. Retired. Always have a great deal of fun on these trips.

Neil Marshall

I met a guy in 1984 who rode over the Nullarbor, I thought he was crazy - I might be too! It's that time of life to do stuff.

Jetje Antonietti

Retired banker , loves cycling to new places , so excited about our upcoming trip to New Zealand.

Dave Yaeger

Live in Ottawa, Canada and have done a number of bike tours in Canada, Europe, Hawaii, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. Active in sports......running, cycling, swimming, skiing, triathlons. Retired professional engineer and find that the days are not long enough to do everything.

Rene Ritsema

After a first great India trip with TDA now looking forward to explore New Zealand.

Jane Bloodworth

I have recently retired from teaching and looking forward to this bicycle adventure.

Barb Sweeney

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

Klaus Hofstaetter

just cycling

Hubert Schanne

After having been bitten by the TDA bug in India in 2016, I am back for more and look forward to meeting old friends and new on the road in Aus & NZ.

Sabine Sellin-Selling

Hi, I'm a bit late joinig the "TO-Club"...but early enough to wish you all the best for your start in a couple of days! It seems I'm the only one cycling just one NZ-section, Auckland - Wellington. I'm really excited to have a look at the northern part of North Island on my own before joining you. I fell in love with travelling by bike cycling Land's End to John O'Groates, a British Classic, some years ago. My last trip was a 7-day-charity MTB-tour for NaDEET (Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust) with a group of German students in south-west Namibia this summer. That was really tough riding but a once-in-a-lifetime-adventure! - I also love to cycle Germany's hilly Eifel or "Metropole Ruhr" near Essen und Düsseldorf. That's where I'm at home. Looking forward to meeting you. Ride on!

Richard Schingler

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

Dafni Klozori

Hi, My name is Daphne and I am 39 years old. I am half Greek, half German. I grew up in Greece, studied in Germany, and am now living in Switzerland for over 10 years. I love rock climbing and last year I discovered bicycling. Due to a friend and his adventures with TDA, I decided to sign up for one section in Australia. I see this trip as a huge physical and mental adventure and challenge and want to find out, if I can make it. Looking forward to meeting more people who think that traveling on a bicycle is pretty cool!

Wayne Brown

I Love to cycle, and I love to travel. I had a great time as a sectional rider in South America last year. I’m looking forward to seeing some of New Zealand this year.

Jo Taylor

Ha, TDA, you thought you'd got rid of me and now I'm back. I completed the Trans-Europa tour in September – what a blast – and now that the Trans-Oceania is in my own country it seems crazy not to join it and explore the one part of New Zealand that I haven't seen (Greymouth to Wanaka). I'll be writing about the tour as we go, for the news media and also on my social media page, so be warned that if you say or do anything funny it might end up in a story! Look forward to meeting you all... oh, and if you're unscathed at the end, Queenstown is a mountain biking mecca for those who are keen to let rip on the hills! :)

Barendina Hunt-Davis

Love exploring countries on my bicycle

Brett Lanham

I’m an ex seafarer, retired now for 7 years, fortunate enough to have been able to get away on a bike tour with TdA every year since 2011. In 2020 I'm down to do the new finish to the Trans Europa in Gibraltar and the lap around Tasmania on the Trans Oceania. I look forward to catching up with friends from past rides and meeting new ones and sharing this great adventure with a beer, or two.

Dianne Lizotte

This seems to be an exciting adventure through places I have not ridden before. Been on many TDA adventures and they are always memorable.

Stirling Lee

I probably like cycling more than cycling likes me. That means I will probably be at the rear of the group but I have completed every trip I have been on. I enjoy eating enormous amounts of food, cycling means I do not gain weight while eating. I also speak a little of any language in any part of the world we are likely to travel in.