TDA Global Cycling

Spinning out of town, the cyclists will find themselves pedalling through the picturesque Valles Calchaquies, passing by small villages and weaver’s workshops. A rest day in the town of Cafayate allows the riders time to explore the red rocks of the Quebrada de las Conchas and the Garganta del Diablo as well as local wineries like Finca Las Nubes which specializes in the Torrontés varietal. Heading south on historic Ruta 40 the landscape shifts from Triassic badlands to mountainsides striped with rocks of green, yellow, red, brown, purple, white and pink.

The route continues south, weaving through the Valle Calchaquí, past dry riverbeds and scrubland with views of far-off, snow-covered mountains. Refreshments are available in the picturesque tiny village of Hualfin, surrounded by red rock walls. Approaching Belén, known as one of the best places to purchase a poncho, the scenery changes as the riders enter the Quebrada del Complejo Termal, a red sandstone gorge formed through geothermal activity. The views are spectacular as the road follows a valley flanked on the west by the Sierra de Famatina range and to the east by the Sierra de Velasco. This is one of the highest areas of the Andes with some mountains reaching up to 6,000 m above sea level. Next up is the Wild West mining town of Chilecito surrounded by a sea of cardon cacti.

The route now bends to the west and passes through a spectacular gorge, the Cuesta de Miranda, on the way to the city of Villa Union. Beautifully situated amidst the intense red mountain ranges of the Sierra de Famatina and the Sierra de Maíz, it is famous for delicacies like Vino Patero (foot-stepping wine) and dried fruits. Dry, hilly landscapes dominate the next stretch with the oasis town of San José de Jáchal providing a welcome break. The road passes through San Juan, the provincial capital and site of a 1944 earthquake that killed more than 10,000 people, and skirts the sand desert near Lavalle, the only desert or that kind in South America. Before long the famous vineyards of Mendoza begin to appear.

After a rest day sampling a glass or two of Mendoza’s famous Malbec, the cyclists will spin west towards the Andes. The road climbs up to almost 4000 m in the shadow of Cerro Aconcagua, at 6922 m, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. This is wild high country and the riders can expect gusting winds, chilly temperatures and, if clear, incredible views. The border crossing into Chile, one of the highest in the world, is at 3200 m. Once across the pass the cyclists will enjoy a twisting ride down the other side of the mountain range on a series of switchbacks, keeping an eye out for the area’s soaring condors. A couple stages later, the riders will pedal into the country’s capital Santiago with its 19th century neo-classical architecture and winding side streets.

Highlights

• Red rock formations of the Calchaqui Valleys
• Cycling historic Ruta 40
• Mendoza - Argentina's capital of wine production
• Cross the Andes into Chile

Having sampled some of Austin’s live music the cyclists will head out of town along peaceful country roads, past small farms and through friendly towns. In La Grange, the riders can visit the ruins of one of the state’s first breweries before saddling up and continuing east to Navasota, named the Blues Capital of Texas in honour of local blues musician Mance Lipscomb. The route passes through the expansive Sam Houston National Forest, home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and soaring bald eagles before crossing into Louisiana. A rest day in the town of DeRidder allows the riders to explore its famous Hanging Jail where condemned prisoners would meet their end in full view of their fellow inmates.

Then bayous start to appear and there is a hint of voodoo in the air. The strains of Cajun music can be heard as the cyclists pedal through cypress trees shrouded in Spanish moss towards their next rest day in Lafayette. Here they can sample incredible Cajun cuisine (locals claim they cook every part of the pig except the squeal), learn about the history of the Acadians, expelled by the British from Atlantic Canada in the 1700’s who form the basis of Cajun culture or take a spooky swamp tour through the nearby bayous. The riders now pedal across the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers on their way to The Big Easy, New Orleans where they can celebrate the end of this section of the Great American Roadtrip with a Sazerac - a mix of rye whiskey, bitters and absinthe that originated in the bayou, the official drink of the city.

Known as the  "Warm Heart of Africa," Malawi sits astride and rises away from the huge expanse of Lake Malawi, Africa's third largest lake, which is home to many breeds of aquarium fish.

Once you set out from Mbeya, it will still take another day to get to Malawi. The ride across southern Tanzania is definitely worth it. You will cycle into Tanzania's breadbasket near Tukuyu, where undulating verdant hills teem with tea plantations and banana and avocado trees. The scenery is breath taking as you start whizzing down the long descent into the Rift Valley, towards the Lake in the distance.

After crossing into Malawi the tour follows the shoreline past fishing villages to Chitemba Beach, which has been a haven for Africa Overlanders for many years. Malawi is especially well known for its skilled hardwood carvers, and here you'll find a large crafts market with beautifully made walking sticks, chairs, 'trees of life,' and other carvings. Whatever you do-be it swimming, wandering down the beach, socializing in the bar-restaurant, or just reading a book, Chitemba Beach offers a wonderful respite from the journey.

Leaving Lake Malawi you climb up the escarpment into the central plateau en route to the provincial capital of Mzuzu. Don't be surprised to find yourself pedaling alongside some of Malawi's many cycling farmers, as they transport chickens, grain, and just about anything between their villages and the nearest market.

After a night at the sleepy town of Kasungu, you arrive at popular Mabuya Camp in the capital city, Lilongwe, which marks a rest day and the end of this section. Here, riders can visit a nearby shopping centre, surf the net, haggle for handicrafts, or just kick back with a few delicious Carlsberg beers or a shot of the more sinister Malawi Gin.

Highlights

• Avocado banana & tea plantations
• Views of Lake Malawi from Tanzania highlands
• Chitimba Beach rest day
• Viphya mountains

First, the cyclists will spin along Sicily's northern coast, pulling into the charming medieval seaside town of Cefalu. The route now turns inland and heads southeast through Sicily's timeless and largely untouched interior to the hilltop town of Enna and its imposing Castello di Lombardia.

Another challenging day's ride takes them into the island's second largest city, Catania. On their rest day here, if they have the energy, they cyclists can climb the nearby volcano or simply stay in town and bargain for seafood at the city's La Pescheria market.

Highlights

• Mount Etna
• Amalfi Coast
• Pompeii
• The Colosseum in Rome

Many of us have criss-crossed the countries of South-East Asia on a ‘shoestring’ over the years, returning home with fond memories. Now we invite you to revisit these amazing lands with us, this time on a bicycle, and create more memorable experiences. Cycling through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore, you will spin through stunning mountains, along sparkling coastlines, into misty valleys, beside historic waterways, into small villages and ancient historic sites, all while revelling in some of the world’s best foods and enjoying the unsurpassed hospitality of the region’s people and the area’s endless charm.

After exploring the amazing market streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter, the riders will spend the next 2 months pedalling happily through South-East Asia. Along the way they will explore the subterranean caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, pedal along the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, visit the former imperial city of Hue, wander through Hoi An’s beguiling old town, spin along the shores of the mighty Mekong River, explore the incredible temple complex of Angkor Wat, stretch out on the sunny beaches of Thailand's Andaman Coast and enjoy the orchards, tea estates & forests in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands before arriving in cosmopolitan Singapore.

Highlights

• Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• Incredible Temple Complex of Angkor Wat
• Beaches of Thailand's Andaman Coast
• Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands

The route will take them through the High Atlas Mountains, the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert and past colourful coastal fishing villages before turning inland and heading into the African interior.

Here the cyclists will pedal past ancient baobabs and plunging waterfalls as they head up into Guinea’s Fouta Djalon, a grassy plateau crisscrossed by canyons and valleys. Very few Western cyclists, if any, have ridden through these isolated areas and the participants will be fully immersed in the culture of rural Africa. The remote jungle roads mean that rivers will be crossed, not by bridges, but by canoes and non-motorized ferries.

The riders then head back along some challenging roads toward the coast and into Sierra Leone where they enjoy a couple of well-deserved rest days in Freetown. Refreshed by the city’s vibrant music scene and delicious beach side restaurants, the cyclists pedal back into the interior, quickly crossing into Cote d’Ivoire and testing their spirit on some incredibly scenic roads. Finally, they will spin down the beach along the aptly named Coconut Coast and follow the crashing waves towards Ghana’s historic Cape Coast and the end of this amazing cycling adventure.

Rest days are scheduled to allow the riders to enjoy the best of West African culture: the spice souk in Marrakesh, the fish market in Nouakchott, beach soccer in Dakar, families flying kites on Freetown’s Lumley Beach, the world’s largest basilica in Yamoussoukro and the haunting slave museum in Cape Coast.

Riders will spin across the forests of Southern Lithuania, possibly stopping for a dip in a Soviet-era spa. Crossing into Poland the tour will pass by some of the country’s most beautiful lakes before heading south to the capital of Warsaw. Another few days of cycling and sampling the local pirogues along the Wista River in Poland will lead us to the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Here the cyclists will cross the border into Slovakia and experience a country of hillside villages and fiery Slivovica, a traditional plum brandy! The 2013 European Capital of Culture, Kosice, will be the spot of our rest day. We’ll quickly say goodbye to Slovakia and enter Hungary where we will visit small rural towns and villages before entering Budapest, one of the great cities of Europe.

The route heads south, skirting Thailand’s western mountains, the Tenasserim Hills, and a string of gorgeous National Parks. In the small town of Tak, located on the banks of the Ping River, the riders will sense the area’s Burmese influence (the border is a mere 90 km away) and can sample some unique local street food like Kabong Cho (fired pumpkin). The route continues south along the Ping River before stopping for a rest day in the laid-back river town of Kamphaeng Phet, its historical park now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The riders continue along the banks of the Ping River south to the city of Nakhon Sawan. Here it joins the Nan River to form the Chao Phraya River, which then continues south to Bangkok and on to the Gulf of Thailand. The cyclists now pedal into the ancient city of Lop Buri, famous for its long tailed macaques. The riders should be aware that these monkeys are unafraid of people and will steal whatever food is available! Next up is the historic city of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, and its stunning architectural ruins which include reliquary towers and monasteries. The last day brings the riders into Bangkok where they will discover the Golden Buddha at Wat Tarim, marking the end of this fascinating section.

Highlights

• Kamphaeng Phet Historical park
• Golden Buddha in Wat Tarimit
• Historic city of Ayutthaya
• Golden Buddha at Wat Tarim

From there they head south through the high Tehuacan Valley, home to over 200 species of cacti, many of them endangered. Throughout the ride, volcanoes line the horizon. Soon the cyclists approach Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most fascinating cities – a vibrant mix of markets, artisans, cuisines and colonial architecture.

After a rest day touring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte Alban, sacred to the indigenous Zapotec peoples, the riders will pedal southeast down off the high plateau, enjoying a 20km downhill stretch just outside San Dionisio Ocotepec and eventually reaching sea level and the coast near the Laguna Superior, part of a system of lagoons running east towards the Guatemalan border.

From the small agricultural town of San Pedro Tapanatepec, the route turns away from the water and begins the steady climb up over the state border and into the green-clad hills of Chiapas. The riders will pedal through the rainforest and past the town of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, famous for its Carnival based on pre-Hispanic local traditions. The final day of this stretch features a beautiful climb up onto the Central Highlands and into the captivating city of San Cristobal de las Casas.

After learning about the famous Zapatista uprising in 1994, the riders will head out towards Guatemala. Once across the border the route takes the cyclists through the Guatemalan highlands, past colourfully dressed locals and imposing volcanoes before dipping down to gorgeous, unforgettable Lake Atitlan. Then arrive at the gorgeous colonial town of Antigua and the end of this beautiful section of the North American Epic.

Highlights

• Mayan culture
• Oaxaca's cuisine
• Day of the Dead celebrations
• Lake Atitlan amidst the volcanoes

This section begins in Baku, capital of the oil rich country of Azerbaijan. After exploring its medieval walled city, which contains the stunning Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the iconic stone Maiden Tower, the riders will leave the sparkling Caspian Sea behind and head out across the country’s arid plains before climbing up into the vast forests of the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. The route continues along the little-used but fascinating Seki-Samaxi route into Georgia, passing through Kakheti, the heartland of the country’s famed vineyards before leading the cyclists into Tbilisi, the most charming city in the Caucasus.

Eastern Anatolia is the crossroads of the Armenian, Kurdish, Caucasian, Russian, and Turkish cultures. There, nature and civilizations have shifted through time, with palaces, castles, mosques, and churches dotting the rugged countryside. The riders will head out of Erzurum and pedal onwards through the rolling hills of the Anatolian Plateau to one of the most relaxed towns on the entire route, the ancient city of Amasya. Set on a secluded section of the Yesilirmak River, the city boasts stunning Ottoman period houses and grandiose Pontic era tombs carved into Mountain walls. The Silk Route riders are sure to enjoy a day off in this fascinating town.

Highlights

• Baku
• Georgian Vineyards
• Charming Tbilisi
• Caucasus Mountains