TDA Global Cycling

Starting in the iconic city of Cape Town with unique Table Mountain as the backdrop, the cyclists head north. With “Mother City” behind them, the riders head into the stunning Cederberg Mountains – a route we last used on the 2014 Tour d’Afrique. They’ll be challenged by the climbs but will enjoy the local citrus farms and rooibos tea plantations along the way. Continuing northwards, given the fact that the tour is taking place in Southern Africa’s spring season, the mountains should be covered with a spectacular array of wildflowers and newly grown vegetation.

Leaving the mountains, the tour heads towards the Atlantic coast, spinning along the main route of Northern Cape Province across the heather strewn hillsides of Namaqualand with its rugged coast, cool, foggy conditions, and hopefully vast areas that in spring transform into a lush orange flowerbed.

The cyclists then cross the scenic Senqu (Orange) River, the border of South Africa and Namibia. A few days ride in wide open spaces and wild animals on route, brings us to the Sossusvlei Dunes with their unique red tone, and known as the tallest dunes in the world.

The ride then continues on dirt and sand roads into the Namib desert, a vast moonscape of endless horizons and boundless blue skies heading northeast across the central Namibian plateau. Over the scenic Spreetshoogte Pass, we reach Windhoek a few days later where riders can dust themselves off as they reflect on this fascinating section.

Highlights

• Table Mountain
• Cederberg Mountains
• Sossusvlei Dunes
• Atlantic Coast Views

#capetokili

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

This stunning section begins in the small, friendly town of Leh nestled in the beautiful but barren landscape of Ladakh. The cyclists will spend time acclimatizing together in Leh, as well as, after a vehicle transfer, by cycling 3 days from Mulbeck, by the Kashmir border, back to Leh. We will then depart Leh for a final time, heading east, to set out on the spectacular stretch to Manali. Over 6 days, the riders will cross two 5000m passes and spend most nights sleeping at altitudes well above 4000m. The route, especially on the first day, will take them past remote forts and Gompas (Buddhist Monasteries) perched dramatically above the Indus River.

At the small village of Upshi, the riders will leave the Indus and follow the incredible Leh-Manali Highway through the Pang Valley. The road itself is only open 4 ½ months of the year and has an average elevation of over 4,000m. The cyclists will splash through icy, glacial streams and be captivated by some incredible rock and sand formations, always with the snow-capped Himalaya looming in the background. They will climb over the Talang Pass (5328m) and descend 500m through the 22 hairpin turns of the famous Gata loops. On the last day, the weary but exhilarated riders will spin down into the verdant Manali Valley for a well earned rest day.

Surrounded by pine forests and apple orchards Manali, one of the Indian Himalaya’s most pleasant hill stations, marks the start of this delightful section. The riders will pedal back up into the arid Himalayan plateau and follow first the Chenab River before climbing over the Kunzum Pass (4590m) where they will marvel at the otherworldly Kunzum Stupas. The route then descends to the Spiti River and on into easygoing town of Kaza.

This area is known for its wildlife – wolves, snow leopards, golden eagles, ibex, marmots and blue sheep – so the riders should keep their eyes open. A short cycling day will take the riders into Tabo and its Gompa, one of the most significant in Tibetan Buddhism. Constructed in 996AD, it is has been mentioned as the place where the current Dali Lama will retire. The route now takes the riders through the scenic Kinnaur region whose old capital, Kapla, is said to be the winter home of the Hindu God, Shiva. Finally, a long, steady climb will take the riders up to Shimla, perhaps the most famous of the Indian hill stations and the end of this amazing section.

Highlights

• Srinagar
• Cycling 5000 m Passes On The Leh - Manali Highway
• Remote Forts and Gompas (Buddhist Monasteries)
• British Hill Stations in Manali & Shimla

This section begins in the historic hill station of Shimla. The route weaves through some of the Indian Himalaya’s most beautiful scenery - misty pine and oak forests and beautiful rhododendrons – before a long descent deposits the riders in the holy city of Rishikesh on the Ganges River where they are free to explore the numerous ashrams that the city is famous for. After practicing their yoga and meditation skills, the riders will head out towards Nepal and Kathmandu. The route takes them back up into gorgeous rolling hills along twisting roads, a region known locally as the ‘Land of the Gods’, before continuing eastward through the flat plains of Nepal’s Teri region, and its fascinating jumble of cultures and traditions.

In Lumbini, the reputed birthplace of the Buddha, riders can pedal through the tranquil grounds of numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries. The next few days take them up into the stunning Mahabharat Ranges on the Siddhartha Highway before arriving in Pokhara, famous as the starting point for the world-famous Annapurna Trek. Leaving the city, the riders will face a challenging 800m climb to Bandipur, one of the country’s most charming locales and the epicentre of Newari culture. The next day takes them to Gorkha, with its ancient palace and historic temples. The last cycling stages take the riders on some isolated rural roads and tracks, before descending into legendary Kathmandu and the end of this astonishing section.

Highlights

• Himalayan Wildlife - Wolves Snow leopards Golden eagles
• Tabo Gompa - Tibetan Buddhism's Most Important Monastery
• Ashrams In The Holy City of Rishikesh
• Drink In The Himalayan Peaks In Pokhara

Perched on the edge of the Baltic Sea, the riders can explore its 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. Architecture buffs will marvel at Riga’s Art Nouveau heritage. In fact, almost 1 in every 3 buildings in the city’s centre were constructed in this style. The riders will spin south the next day, crossing the border into the third of the Baltic States, Lithuania. The route then takes the cyclists out across the less travelled central portion of that country, pedalling through small villages and vast forests before ending their journey in Vilnius, with its Baroque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Highlights

• Baltic Sea
• Old Towns of Riga & Vilnius

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

This section kicks off with a quick ferry across the Saronic Gulf to the island of Poros where the riders can enjoy a quick spin to the Temple of Poseidon, warming up their legs for the journey to come. The route heads through the undulating landscape of the Peloponnese, stopping in Nafplio, one of Greece’s most picturesque towns, before heading past towering Mt Menalo and into a well-deserved rest day in Olympia. The day off the bikes will allow the cyclists the opportunity to explore one of the country’s most historic sites, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, where they light the Olympic flame every 4 years. The riders now spin north through friendly villages before stopping in the port city of Igoumenitsa to catch their next ferry to Italy.

Arriving in the bustling southern Italian port of Brindisi, the riders will prepare themselves for the challenge of cycling up the spine of Italy, truly a challenging but incredibly rewarding route. The first day’s ride brings them to a rest day in the ancient city of Matera and its remarkable cave dwellings and rock churches. The ride continues through the mountainous landscape leading to the next rest day in Sulmona, a beautiful town and the birthplace of the Roman poet, Ovid. The route continues north past forested peaks and hilltop villages before descending to Ravenna, home to some of the world’s most beautiful mosaics. Turning west, the riders spin through the countryside to Milan, a hub of high fashion and the end of this incredible section.