TDA Global Cycling

Cycle your way across two of the most dynamic countries of East Asia. 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.

The route out of town heads northeast and the long climb up out of the lush green scenery of Kashmir and into the barren landscapes of the Ladakh and the High Himalaya begins. The road clings precariously to the sides of towering mountains as the riders climb 8000m over 6 days before pedalling into Leh to enjoy 2 well earned rest days.

In the small, friendly town of Leh, the cyclists will gradually acclimatize to the increased altitude before setting out on the next 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 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 and the end of this challenging 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 and the section's first rest day.

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.

Shimla was the summer capital of British India and memories of the Raj can be found everywhere. The riders have 2 rest days here and one thing they should do is to take the famous 'toy train' down to the plains. It covers the 100km in about 5 hours and passes through 102 tunnels and over 845 bridges! The riders will now pedal through some of the Indian Himalaya's most beautiful scenery. Unlike the arid, semi-desert conditions of the first section, this area is blessed with misty pine and oak forests and a wide variety of beautiful rhododendrons. Mussoorie, another colonial hill station marks the start of a long descent into the holy city of Rishikesh and the Ganges River. The section ends here but the riders are free to explore the numerous ashrams that the city is famous for.

This section begins in the seaside city of Santa Monica, starting from the ocean pier that marks the end of another great American Roadtrip, Route 66. The cyclists will head out through Hollywood and down Sunset Boulevard past Dodger Stadium. They will then spin south in the shadows of the San Jacinto Mountains before stopping to explore the infamous Salton Sea and its salty waters. Before the riders pull into the city of Twentynine Palms for a rest day, they will enjoy a day camping in Joshua Tree National Park, known for its namesake twisted trees, stunning rock formations and challenging hiking trails.

The cyclists now head east through the Sheephole Valley Wilderness, keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes and roadrunners (and maybe Wiley Coyote), before following the legendary Colorado River south and eventually crossing it into Arizona. The road now takes the riders over the hot and flat La Posa Plain, stopping for the night in Quartzsite, one of the hottest places in the USA. The route continues through Wintersburg, home to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the country. The next day’s ride brings them into Phoenix and the area known as the Valley of the Sun for a welcome rest day.

Before our departure you can explore the Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace, or walk in the footsteps of Dostoevsky along the Neva River, all while enjoying almost 24 hours of daylight. Departing St. Petersburg we will cycle to Peterhof, where you can visit the Palace commissioned by no less than Peter the Great. We'll continue our ride after that through rural Russia, arriving at the Estonian border, and a beautiful stretch of cycling along the Baltic Sea until we arrive at Tallin, with its splendid 14th century Old Town, and our first rest day. The tour then pedals south across the rolling countryside and along the shores of the Gulf of Riga towards Latvia.

The cyclists now spin into Riga, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the North’. After a day enjoying its cosmopolitan atmosphere, the riders will head across the less travelled central portion of Lithuania, pedalling through small villages and vast forests before ending their journey in Vilnius, with its Baroque Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The riders will head southwest and spend a few days pedalling along the very popular and scenic Lake Balaton. Then the cyclists will cross into Slovenia. This tiny country has it all – spectacular scenery, fine local wine, historic towns and picturesque villages. The route takes them through the spa town of Moravske Toplice and Ptuj, the oldest city in the country, continuously inhabited since the Stone Age before dipping down through the hills and into Slovenia’s green capital, Ljubljana.

A rest day here allows the riders to enjoy the city’s famous Habsburg and Baroque architecture and they will also have the chance to explore the Ljubljana’s famous hill top castle before heading west towards Italy. This part of the route is very challenging. The tough climbs, however, are followed by some spectacular passes and epic downhills. There are great views of the Alps and of Palmanova, a star shaped fortress town. The day into Venice is memorable. The riders trade their bikes for boats and enjoy a sightseeing trip into the city, cruising along the famous Canale Grande and under the gorgeous Rialto bridge.

After maneuvering our way past Mexican customs we cross the remnants of the Colorado river and head down the eastern Gulf of California side of the Baja peninsula. Our first rest day on this section of the North American Epic is in the waterfront town of San Felipe where the gorgeous beaches and delicious seafood will tempt us with early retirement.

Instead we pedal on, basking in sunshine, and dipping in the indigo Sea of Cortez. South of Puertecitos we cross to the western side of the peninsula, meeting the Trans-Baja highway at Chapala. After entering the state of Baja California Sur we arrive to a rest day in Guerrero Negro on the Pacific Ocean. We then traverse the cactus forest landscape of the Deserto de Vizcaino and pass by the Volcano of the 3 Virgins followed by picturesque Santa Rosalia.

After camping on the beach at the Bahia Concepcion and a rest day in the colonial seaside town of Loreto we spin inland once more, towards the middle of the peninsula stopping for cervezas and open spit chicken in the junction of Ciudad Insurgentes.

After reluctantly departing Moab, we’ll continue cycling past red and brown rock formations of every shape imaginable on Utah’s Highways 191 & 163, stopping to shop for silver and turquoise Navajo jewelry. At iconic Monument Valley riders can explore the buttes and mesas featured in many a western movie, before hopping back on their saddles bound for the Grand Canyon, one of the world’s natural wonders.

After a rest day in the Route 66 university and winter sports town of Flagstaff we’ll descend down the Oak Creek Canyon to the red rock vistas of trendy Sedona. Then it’s a stiff climb up Mingus Mountain through the historic mining town of Jerome with its fascinating bars and tasty ice cream and BBQ. After camping on the top we’ll cruise downhill and ride a beautiful bike trail into the small city of Prescott.

Yarnell marks the start of the downhill into the heat of the Arizonan desert where temperatures will approach 45 degrees Celsius and refreshments in the few small communities will be de rigeur. The last day from Quartzsite to Yuma will be a particularly tough 130 km gauntlet through the middle of nowhere and a US military desert training base, but anyone and everyone who completes this stage will be aptly rewarded by a dip in the pool at our hotel and a frosty margarita across the street at Texas Longhorn’s.

The Canyonlands section of the North American Epic will first amaze you with its stunning vistas, and then daze you with desert heat. Its harsh environment and welcome watering holes will give us a glimpse of how tough life was in the Old West as we spin on our 21st century 2 wheeled steeds across lands that covered wagons once struggled mightily to cross.

There they will board a ferry to cross the English Channel to the European continent and Bruges, a picturesque town whose medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage sight. Here riders will enjoy a rest day, giving the participants a chance to sample some of the world's finest beers, perfected over the years by Trappist monks, initially to aid in their fasting. A few days later the tour spins into the home of Heineken, Amsterdam, and its renown cafes, canals, bicycles and red light district.

The route now takes the cyclists across Northern Germany stopping for a rest day in Hamburg, the country's largest port. Here riders can revel in the city's maritime spirit and, over a litre mug of the local brew, remember how this city started the Beatles on their storied career. In another couple of days the cyclists will find themselves on a ferry heading for the shores of Denmark, the last country on this tour. Home to Tuborg and Carlsberg, 2 of the world's most well-known breweries, the friendly and welcoming capital city of Copenhagen marks the end to this fascinating section.

Leaving Budapest we will head southeast, traversing the plains of southern Hungary. As we cross into Romania and Transylvania, the flat days soon end. Not only is Transylvania rich in history and intrigue, its landscapes rival the Alps and Pyrenees for sheer challenge and awe-inspiring views. Throughout our time here we will observe horse-drawn carts, and farmers pitching hay into large mounds that dot the fields like giant furry thimbles.

Cycling eastward on country roads, we arrive at our rest day in Alba Iulia-the capital during Michael the Brave's short reign as Prince of Transylvania.

On from Alba Iulia, the Carpathians creep ever closer on our right, until we turn inward and start our challenging (yet surprisingly manageable) ascent up the Transfagaras range and into the territory ruled by Vlad Dracul, better known as Dracula.

Over a distance of approximately 60 km we will climb to an altitude of 2034 m negotiating more than 50 switchbacks on the north side of the pass on a road engineered with gentled grades. After reaching the top we stay near one of the dictator Ceaucescus's old hunting lodges set by Lake Balea.

After a cooler mountain night in idyllic surroundings, we zoom downhill through tunnels and past manmade lakes high in the mountains, stopping to explore the little known ruins of Poienari Castle-one of Vlad's fortresses, until we reach Curtea de Arges-one of the oldest cities in Romania on the banks of the Arges River.

The next stop is Targoviste, the city from which Vlad ran his empire, and the site of the trial and execution of Nicolae Ceausescu. After another day of riding into the metropolis of Bucharest, the current capital of Romania, our time cycling is complete.