TDA Global Cycling

Plum brandy has a long and illustrious history in Central and Eastern Europe, beginning as far back as the 14th century. Distilled from local plums, the exact process may vary from country to country and village to village buts its importance to communities in the area has remained constant. A bottle will often be produced to celebrate important events like birthdays, weddings and holiday gatherings. What better way to explore this fascinating region than by seeking out and comparing the wide varieties of this remarkable drink available along our route?

The Plum Ride begins on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Gdansk, home to Poland’s historic Solidarity Movement. The route curves west along the coast to Berlin before turning south towards Prague and its extraordinary bridges. Continuing through the rolling hills of Slovakia, the ride passes through Hungary, Croatia and Serbia before crossing into the little-known country of North Macedonia. Winding past mountains and lakes, the ride spins into Greece and comes to a close on the shores of the Aegean Sea in the ancient port city of Thessaloniki.

Highlights

• Bridges of Prague
• Plum Brandy
• Mountain Scenery in North Macedonia
• Baltic & Aegean Seas

This is an e-bike friendly tour.

This section begins in Gdansk and its charming Old Town, including the 17th century Neptune Fountain, a symbol of the city. The route heads west along the Baltic Coast, passing resort communities and national parks before stopping for a rest in the Polish port city of Świnoujście, home to the Museum of the Sea Fishery and a 19th century lighthouse with expansive views out over the harbour and Baltic Sea. The riders now turn south and cross the border into Germany for a much-anticipated rest day in historic Berlin.

Here the riders can sample the city’s rich past, visiting monuments like the Brandenburg Gate, while also enjoying its vibrant cultural life. Continuing their journey, the cyclists pedal south through an area that still manifests its East German pedigree and into Dresden, a city almost completely destroyed by firebombs in WWII but now renowned for its stunning architecture. The route passes through scenic northern Czechia before coming to a conclusion in Prague where the riders can explore the city’s famous bridges and castles.

Highlights

• Gdansk Old Town
• Baltic Coast
• Brandenburg Gate
• Astronomical Clock in Prague

This is an e-bike friendly tour.

This section begins in Prague as the riders spin out to Kutná Hora, its town centre designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Litomyšl, whose Renaissance castle is one of the largest in the world. A rest day in the undiscovered historic town of Olomouc allows cyclists to marvel at its Holy Trinity Column. They soon reach the fascinating mining town of Banská Štiavnica, situated in the middle of a huge caldera formed by the collapse of an ancient volcano. The route continues to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns, before taking into the riders into Budapest for a rest day.

After sampling Hungary’s signature plum brandy – palinka – in some of Budapest’s watering holes, the riders head south to Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest body of water, and a popular spa destination. The cyclists continue through Pecs, known for its museums, and into the Croatian gastronomic destination of Osijek before crossing into Serbia and the city of Novi Sad, perched on the banks of the Danube River, in the shadow of the hilltop Petrovaradin Fortress. One last ride leads the cyclists into Belgrade and the end of this amazing section.

Highlights

• Historic Olomouc
• Budapest Thermal Baths
• Lake Balaton
• Novi Sad

This is an e-bike friendly tour.

This incredible section begins in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital and home to the imposing Beogradska Tvrđava fortress situated at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers. The riders pedal south through the sprawling countryside to the cultural hotspot of Kragujevac before continuing on to Niš, birthplace of Constantine the Great. The route stops in Vranje, once an important Ottoman trading post, before climbing up into North Macedonia. A rest day in its capital city of Skopje allows the cyclists to prepare for the stunning scenery to come.

The route from Skopje takes the cyclists to Mavrovo National Park, home to caves, waterfalls, bogs and plentiful wildlife and then on to scenic Lake Debar, perched at the foot of the Korab and Stogovo Mountain Ranges. A stunning ride through the hills along the Albanian border brings the riders to Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, for a rest day. The last stages lead the riders to Bitola, with its covered Ottoman-era bazaar, and into Greece and the city of Thessaloniki on the shores of the Aegean, and the end of this beautiful section.

Highlights

• Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade
• Mavrovo National Park
• Lake Ohrid
• White Tower in Thessaloniki

This is an e-bike friendly tour.

From K-pop to Samurai to Sushi to Hot springs to Lonely mountain roads, an incredibly diverse range of experiences awaits!

While Korea and Japan are close neighbors, their lands and cultures are completely their own, and cycling across these countries one after the other gives an opportunity to experience them both in all their contrasts, and surprising similarities. Both belong to what has been named over centuries, the Far East, and our Journey through these countries will allow us to experience Eastern culture, from Buddhist practices and architecture, to ancient martial arts, to an incredibly diverse cuisine, and the modern bustling cities leading the technological era of today.

The landscape takes in river valleys, winding mountainous roads, extinct and active volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and lush forests. Of course we will also experience the villages, towns and cities along the way, giving us a chance to explore multiple UNESCO world heritage sites, palaces and temples, old Samurai towns, and the residences of ancient emperors.

Highlights

• Seoul
• Mt. Fuji
• Hot Springs
• Samurai Towns

Perched on the edge of the Baltic Sea, the riders can explore the splendid 14th century Old Town or the Art Museum of Estonia, housed in what was once the palace of Peter the Great. Departing Tallinn, the route takes the riders south across the rolling countryside before continuing along the shores of the Gulf of Riga. They will spin through Parnu, known as the ‘Riviera’ of Estonia, with its sandy beaches and waterfront promenade. The route continues into Latvia, stopping for a rest day in Riga, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the North’.

In Riga, the largest city in the Baltic States, the cyclists can wander through its pedestrian-only medieval Old Town and architecture buffs will marvel at Riga’s Art Nouveau heritage. The riders will spin south the next day, crossing the border into the third of the Baltic States, Lithuania. The route then takes the riders through small villages and vast forests before stopping in Vilnius, with its Baroque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Crossing into Poland the tour will pass by some of the country’s most beautiful lakes before heading south to the capital of Warsaw and the end of this historic section.

Highlights

• Tallinn's Old Town
• Riga's Art Nouveau Architecture
• Baroque Old Town in Vilnius
• Palace of Culture & Science in Warsaw

Valhalla, also known as the Hall of Heroes, was the goal for all real Vikings. Ruled by the Norse God, Odin, only the bravest and fiercest of warriors, both male and female, were able to find their way there. Our own two-wheeled warriors will follow in the Vikings’ footsteps on their own Road to Valhalla, pedalling past the lakes in Finland, through the forests of Sweden and along the fjords in Norway. How many of those that start in Helsinki will be brave and fierce enough to make it to Trondheim and complete the Road to Valhalla?

The Road begins in Helsinki and heads west past the historic Finnish city of Turku before heading out to the Åland Islands, an archipelago of 6,700 islands. The route continues into Sweden and the famous cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg and then on to Norway’s capital, Oslo. Heading south along the Baltic Sea, the route takes the riders along the rugged coast to Stavanger where the riders board a ferry to the picturesque city of Bergen. The last stages pass through Norway’s stunning fjords and mountains before arriving in Trondheim, marking the end of their Road.

Highlights

• Turku Cathedral
• Åland Islands
• Bridges of Stockholm
• Fjords of Norway

The route takes the riders west to the historic city of Turku and its stunning castle and cathedral. It continues by ferry out to the peaceful Åland Islands and then by ferry again to Stockholm. After exploring the city’s many sights, the riders pedal out across the forests of Central Sweden, stopping for a rest day in Vadstena, with its Renaissance Fortress and charming old town. The riders will follow Lake Vättern (home to a mythical monster) south before turning their wheels to the west.

The route stops in the cosmopolitan city of Gothenburg where the cyclists have a rest day to admire the architecture, explore the 17th century canals or just wander along the waterfront. The riders soon head north along the coast, passing the popular seaside tourist town of Fjällbacka, home to one of Sweden’s most popular writers, Camilla Läckberg. The last stages bring the cyclists across the border and into Norway’s capital city, Oslo, and its Viking Museum, marking the end of this exciting section.

Highlights

• Turku Castle
• Historic Vadstena
• Cultural Gothenburg
• Viking Museum in Oslo

The ride begins in Oslo and heads south along the coast to the seaside town of Kristiansand where a day off the bikes allows the cyclists to explore its traditional wooden houses and renown Sørlandets Art Museum. The route now follows one of the country’s most scenic drives from Flekkefjord to Stavanger, a coastline of dunes, shipwrecks and lighthouses. In Stavanger the riders will board a ferry for a spectacular cruise past fjords and mountains to the picturesque city of Bergen.

After exploring Bergen’s colourful wooden houses, the riders spin north through a series of tunnels and ferries to the small village of Hellesylt. Here they board another ferry for a ride across the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The next stage features an epic climb up the famous Troll’s Ladder, with its 11 hairpin turns and incredible views over the surrounding countryside. The final stages of the section take the riders through a rugged landscape of water and hills before leading them into historic Trondheim and the end of this beautiful section.

Highlights

• Stavanger to Bergen Ferry
• Geirangerfjord
• Troll’s Ladder
• Port City Of Trondheim

This section begins in historic Kochi, where colonial charm, bustling spice markets, and vibrant streets set the tone for the ride. The route heads south to Alleppey, renowned for its beautiful backwaters and lush paddy fields. As the riders approach the Western Ghats the rolling hills will take them to Kumily, home to Periyar National Park, before spinning through spice growing villages and cardamom plantations. Manicured tea gardens of the high ranges provide a stunning backdrop for riders.

Descending from the hills, the route now takes the cyclists to the plains of Tamil Nadu and the vibrant city of Madurai, celebrated for the iconic Meenakshi Temple and its legacy as a hub of Tamil language and literature. In Pondicherry, we take a rest day to soak in its French colonial charm and relaxed vibe. The cycling leg of the section concludes in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient rock-cut temples and sculptures.

Highlights

• Kerala backwaters
• Western Ghats
• Pondicherry
• Temples of Mahabalipuram