UPDATED October 9, 2026 BY Henry Gold IN The Road to Shangri-La no comments On My Way To Shangri-La (By Bicycle)Tea is the taste of the wind, the fragrance of the mountains. Chinese proverbTea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness. Lu YuWhats your next tour? This is a question that participants asked each other me included as the Road to Valhalla Cycling Tour wound down.I am fascinated by China. If you want to know why, read the book The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester. I highly recommend it. I first went there in 2006 to scout what was then going to be our companys 3rd transcontinental tour, the Silk Route Cycling Expedition. At that time, China was in the midst of a great transformation and my eyes were often open wide in wonder. The following year I cycled the inaugural Silk Route tour, including two months crossing China from west to east, an adventure in every sense of the word.Henry in Beijing in 2007 on the Silk RouteIn 2013, I had an opportunity to cycle a different part of China on our Bamboo Road Cycling Adventure from Shanghai to Hong Kong and then on to Vietnam. As on my previous visit, there was no end to the surprises and discoveries. In March of this coming year, I hope to be on our companys new tour, The Road to Shangri-La, which will be passing through one of the most fascinating places in China. The riders will enter the country from Northern Vietnam into Yunnan, one of Chinas most culturally diverse regions. Twenty five ethnic minorities live there a personal interest of mine 15 of which reside only in that area.During a recent dinner in Montreal, I asked Max Dionne, who scouted this route before Covid hit, what the highlights were. Maxs face broke into a big grin and he started listing them.The first was the spectacular Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (pictured above) which the riders will see soon after entering China.He went on, pointing out that while all cities in China have gone through modernization, on this route many of them kept their traditional ancient Chinatowns. In particular, he pointed out that the city of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had thousands of heritage houses and apparently is one of the most authentic ancient towns in Asia.Lijiang Old TownAnother area of interest to me is the worlds second most consumed beverage, of which I drink a lot tea. Tea originated in Southwest China and I recall my first tea tasting in the country, an elaborate and very pleasant event. Afterwards, I felt as if I havent ever drunk real tea before.On the Road to Shangri-La, riders will visit Shaxizhen, home to some historic landmarks where horse caravans carrying tea would often stop. On one of my previous visits in China, I bought a book in English published in China called the Tea-Horse Road which describe how tea was being transported from China onwards, often through difficult and challenging landscapes.This brings me to another highlight Max mentioned, Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic and dramatic canyon on the Jinsha river. Max also mentioned the spectacular temples in Shangri-La, similar to the ones in Lhasa and the large praying wheels which apparently take at least four people to move. By the way, Shangri-La in Tibetan, means the sun and moon in ones heart.Tiger Leaping GorgeAnd, of course, there is the food. Max mentioned loving the Crossing Bridge Noodles and in a recent blog, our Operation Manager and former chef, Miles, pointed out a few more things to try in Yunnan. Having grown up on potatoes in Eastern Europe myself, I cant wait to taste Old Grandmas Potatoes! Besides the cuisine, what Max found particularly delightful were the evening activities on the town squares with people dancing and just enjoying themselves and outsiders encouraged to join in.For myself, going back to China is to get a glimpse of what feels like the most fascinating transformation of a society in human history. Returning home from my previous trips in China, I often found it was hard to describe what I had witnessed and experienced. I fully expect this tour will be no different.Going back also means enjoying some great Chinese food and sampling a lot of wonderful tea in the company of a number of TDA riders. Some of them I know from previous tours and some I hope to meet on the Road to Shangri-La for the first time. If you have never been to China, or for that matter Laos or Vietnam, join us for this unique tour. I promise, you will not regret it.RELATEDTOURThe Road to Shangri-La Shangri-La, an earthly paradise cut off from the world in a hidden Himalayan valley, a place where there is no war or suffering and where people live... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "On My Way To Shangri-La (By Bicycle)" Cancel reply

UPDATED October 7, 2026 BY Guest Author IN South American Epic no comments A Football Pitch And A Church What We Really Need To LiveBenjamin Levin is the Content Creator on the 2026 South American Epic.I have not showered for three days. Admittedly I have gone longer, but usually when I am at one of the few places I call home I shower a little more consistently. Nonetheless, here I am in Salinas de Garcia Mendoza, the self proclaimed Quinoa capital of Bolivia, smelling my feet as I write this blog. The last two days we have spent in Ardamarca and Santuario de Quillacas. Heard of them? I had not either until we camped there. Picture a town, 50 km away from any other town. It might have paved roads, it might not. It might have a hotel, it probably does not. It might have a shop, it probably does actually have a shop. But you know what it definitely does have? It has a football pitch and a church. 50 km away from the middle of nowhere in Bolivia, the small town you are picturing has a football pitch and a church.So, what do you really need to live? I do not really need to shower every day. You come to learn, or remember, that sort of thing when you travel like this. On a cross-continental cycling expedition, your idea of what is essential and what is not, starts to change.And over the course of these trips, your opinion on what you need changes. That 4 kg of skincare products you have hidden in your permanent bag becomes a four-in-one shampoo-conditioner-bodywash-facial cleanser Those 4 pairs of rest-day jeans become an overseas express package back to Europe that will arrive after you get home in 2 months. On these trips you are stripped down to the bones of who you are and what you need. And in facing the reality of this, you find that you really do not need so much.Today riding into Salinas we saw some dogs on the road that looked keen to chase some riders and snap at some ankles. We stopped and Cristiano and our Bolivian local support Ana-Marie walked over to chat with their owner to see if she would mind locking them up for a while in order to let our cyclists pass unaccosted. She lived in a stone house. There was no running water, no electricity. When we first saw her, she was walking with a few litres of water from a well 200 metres from her house. She lives by herself with no form of transportation, 10 km from the closest town. None of us can imagine living like that. She does. She lives this way every day. It makes me reflect on what I need.Now I sit in that town, 10 km away from this woman tending her llamas and dogs. And you know what they have in this town? They have a football pitch and a church. And you know what I am hoping to have later? A shower, maybe.RELATEDTOURSouth American Epic This challenging expedition offers you the best opportunity to explore the vastness and diversity of South America by bike. In keeping with the TDA... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "A Football Pitch And A Church What We Really Need To Live" Cancel reply

UPDATED September 25, 2026 BY Guest Author IN Viva Italia no comments What Biking Reveals About A PlaceSara Frenning is the Content Creator on the 2026 Viva Italia Cycling Tour.Was that tobacco back there?The riders all roll into lunch with the same question. Some were able to identify the plant, and others aaah in recognition when they hear the answer. Soon the conversation continues.Did you see that plant?, Did you see that bird? What were those flowers with that wonderful smell?Small things noticed along the way, all discussed and compared over Balazss scrumptious lunch and slices of bread topped with a heavy layer of Nutella.TuscanyWe are in the Tuscan countryside, completely taking over a gravel parking lot as TDA does, when the clock strikes lunch. Today we have shared the road with motorcyclists whose speed tilts their knees dangerously close to the road. They certainly enjoyed the views and the wind in their hair just like we do, but as they swoosh by, I cant help but wonder if they spotted the tobacco, or if they smelled the flowers?Thats the thing with traveling by bicycle speed. You notice things. Places you travel to by bicycle stick to your senses in a different way. More than a postcard, it becomes a sensory memory that captures smell, feeling and taste.Diane heading to Romethe long way.You notice and encounter people more slowly. Cathy and Dianne, the smiling Australian sisters on this years Viva Italia, shared an encounter from the day over our pasta dinner. They stopped at a cafe for a coke stop, where the person behind the counter was far beyond retirement age. Nonna looked like she had trouble walking between the cash and the counter, Kate says, and we all laugh. But coffee by coffee, Coca-Cola by Coca-Cola, all the riders get served by the 80+-year-old Nonna who must have wondered what biking tornado had hit her otherwise sleepy little village that day. When we left, we gathered the dishes and handed them to her at the counter, and her whole face lit up in a wonderful smile, Dianne says, her own smile as big as the one she described.Traveling by bike reveals the heart and stories of places in a way that speeding by in a car or motorcycle doesnt allow.In simple acts, such as when dirty dishes are passed from sweaty biking hands to old, trembling barkeeper hands, something is exchanged. A story is told and simultaneously created. The sisters now know that in Italy, Nonnas hold onto their bartending jobs to stay part of, and continue serving, their community, and that keeping your older population involved matters more than getting your coffee served quickly. And Nonna now knows that a cyclist from Australia cares enough to gather dishes to make her day a little bit easier. They will probably have different stories to tell of each other from that day, but their stories are nonetheless intertwined.Perhaps in a way, that would not have been possible without the bicycle.RELATEDTOURViva Italia It has been said that All roads lead to Rome and the Viva Italia cycling tour is simply more proof that this may indeed be the case... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "What Biking Reveals About A Place" Cancel reply

UPDATED September 26, 2026 BY Guest Author IN South American Epic no comments Bolivia Stay On Your ToesBenjamin Levin is the Content Creator on the 2026 South American Epic.When I was a kid playing soccer (football to the many), my coach always used to tell me, Benjamin, stay on your toes! Little good that did me because here I am in La Paz, Bolivia, writing travel blogs for an expedition cycling company rather than scoring goals for F.C. Barcelona Alas, it was not all for nothing. Because here in Bolivia, with TDA Global Cycling, we have to stay on our toes.Valle de Los AnimalesBolivia is a country of extremes. It was extremely cold yesterday morning. Today, on my morning ride up to Valle de Los Animales in La Paz, it was a tad under boiling. Out on the Altiplano, the population is sparse; llamas outnumber humans and abandoned buildings seem to stand one-to-one with inhabited ones. In El Alto and La Paz, it is the opposite. You are among the people, all the people, all the time. The streets are alive with vendors, business people, students, tourists, and stray dogs.Llamas in the AltiplanoEven the traffic seemed extreme. On the road cycling into La Paz, it was heavy, but Ana Marie, our local support, told us there was about 50% less traffic than usual. Why? Right now, Bolivia is in the middle of a serious fuel shortage. For much of its history, Bolivia has been able to produce a good portion of its own fuel. That is no longer the case. The country still has the refining capacity, but there simply isnt enough domestic crude oil to keep the system supplied. As a result, Bolivia has become increasingly dependent on imported fuel. And importing fuel requires U.S. dollars, something Bolivia is currently desperately short of. The result is four-day-long lines at gas stations, if those stations are even open at all.Now theoretically you do not need fuel to ride your bike across Bolivia. Unfortunately, we are doing rather more than that. We are driving four vehicles supporting a group of 28 cyclists and 10 staff across hundreds and hundreds of kilometers, from Lake Titicaca to the Argentine border. So, as my soccer coach 15 years ago would be proud to hear, we have stayed on our toes.Gas pumped wrapped up and closed in El Alto, Bolivia because there is no fuel at the stationOver the last few weeks, we have been collecting hundreds of liters of diesel in Peru in order to be as independent as possible from Bolivias struggling fuel system. We entered the country with four full diesel tanks and another 730 liters strapped to the roofs of two of our buses. In La Paz, our local contact was even able to source another 200 liters that she had stashed at home. Lucky us. Hopefully, that should be enough to get us into Argentina without too much trouble. Of course, this is Bolivia, and there are always a few variables to account for. A road closure, a political protest, a particularly ambitious pothole or some other unforeseen adventure that could change the equation pretty quicklyStaying on your toes is one of the great skills that TDA staff excel at. As Will Druce, our Tour Leader from La Paz to Ushuaia, put it: The tour is already taking us through some pretty remote areas where it can be hard to find basic resources so this is just another extra challenge that were going to have to take on. And that is expedition cycling for you. You can plan the route, bring a doctor and a mechanic, pack the food and bring nearly a thousand litres of diesel across an international border. But once you set off, you never quite know what is going to happen next. You just have to stay on your toes.RELATEDTOURSouth American Epic This challenging expedition offers you the best opportunity to explore the vastness and diversity of South America by bike. In keeping with the TDA... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Bolivia Stay On Your Toes" Cancel reply

UPDATED September 28, 2026 BY Michael Coo IN Africa: Ocean to Ocean 2 comments Cycling South Africa, Eswatini & MozambiqueOur newest cycling expedition, Africa: Ocean to Ocean, takes riders through seven fascinating Southern African countries. In this post, we take a look at what cyclists can expect on their journey through countries number 5, 6 , & 7 South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.Soutpansberg Mountains, South AfricaOnce the riders cross the border from Zimbabwe into South Africa, they will spin past surreal baobab trees which eventually give give way to the subtropical Soutpansberg (Salt Pan Mountains), part of UNESCOs Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. They contain over 500 species of trees and birds and 116 species of reptiles as well as leopards, hyenas and antelopes. The area is also the ancestral heartland of the Venda people who are known for their distinct culture, including the pre-marital Domba (python dance).Blyde River Canyon, South AfricaAt 26 km long and 800 m deep, the Blyde River Canyon is the third largest on earth, after the Grand Canyon in the US and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia. What makes it unique and special is that, unlike the other two, it is a green canyon, covered in sub-tropical vegetation. Riders will enjoy a rest day there allowing them time to explore natural wonders such as the Bourkes Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and Gods Window.Kruger National Park, South AfricaOne of the most famous National Parks in Africa, Kruger National Park was established in 1926 and covers almost 20,000 sq. kms. Riders will have an excellent opportunity to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, African buffalo) here as well as the endangered African Wild Dog. The park features 6 distinct ecosystems, 150 species of mammals and hundreds of bird species. It is not just wild life there are also 300 archaeological and cultural heritage sites to be found in the park.Sibebe Rock, EswatiniAfter exploring Kruger National Park, the riders will cross into the tiny landlocked country of Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland. One of the worlds last absolute monarchies, one of the highlights is Sibebe Rock, just a few kilometres outside the countrys capital, Mbabane. Also known as Bald Rock, it is the second largest monolith in the world and the worlds largest granite dome. Riders can hike to the summit and afterwards enjoy an appropriately named, cold Sibebe Premium LagerHlane Royal National Park, EswatiniFormerly the private hunting grounds of King Sobhuza II, Hlane Royal National Park was established in 1967 and is known, not only for its mammals like elephants, cheetahs and rhinos, but also for its incredible bird population, many attracted by the parks ancient hardwood trees like knobthorn, leadwood, and tambuti. They include white-backed, lappetfaced and Cape vultures, martial eagles, bateleurs, and long-crested eagles as well as Marabou storks and the southern yellow-billed hornbill.Maputo, MozambiqueA couple days of cycling after leaving Eswatini will bring the riders to Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, where their incredible trans-African adventure will come to a close. This port city features some stunning Portuguese colonial architecture as well as a number of vibrant local markets. After exploring the citys striking railway station, designed by an associate of Gustave Eiffel, the riders can celebrate by gorging on the countrys delicious, fresh seafood.Recommended ReadingJacob Dlamini Safari Nation: A Social History of the Kruger National ParkEben Venter DecimaHilda Kuper The Swazi: A South African KingdomMia Couto Women of the AshesRecommended ViewingThe Train of Salt and Sugar (2016): Aperilous 1989 train journey through war-torn Mozambique during the civil war.Wah-Wah (2005): Director Richard E Grants comedy-drama set during the twilight of British colonial rule in Swaziland and based on his own childhood growing up there.Keeping Up with the Kruger (2017): 13 episode documentary on the day-today operations of the national park.Recommended ListeningKruger National Park (SANParks)Eswatini Talks (Spotify)Left To Die: Escape From The Amarula (Apple)RELATEDTOURAfrica: Ocean to Ocean The original way to cross Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean was the maritime Cape Route past the continents southern tip, a perilous... Related Posts: 2 Comments for "Cycling South Africa, Eswatini & Mozambique" I would be interested in doing something like this.Reply We would love to have you join us and have emailed some tour information to you.Reply Leave a Comment for "Cycling South Africa, Eswatini & Mozambique" Cancel reply

UPDATED September 29, 2026 BY The TDA Team IN Hippie Trail no comments A Passage Through India: Cycling The Hippie TrailFollow in the footsteps of the flower children and cycle into the physical and spiritual kaleidoscope that is India.We have been running long distance cycling adventures in India for over 15 years and our riders are always amazed at their experiences. Cycling is the best way to see any country and this is especially true for the sub-continent, allowing riders to meet the locals and experience their warmth and hospitality.India is such an intense experience that sometimes it is difficult, if not impossible to describe it simply with words. To that end, we have gathered together a few videos in order to give a visual taste of what cycling through this amazing country from Agra to Goais like.Spaces are still available for the 2027 Hippie Trail Cycling Adventure.Hippie Trail Accommodations: From Basic Hotels To Royal PalacesThe Hippie Trail is full of surprises and one, perhaps unexpected example, are the accommodations. Hotels in the more isolated areas of Madhya Pradesh, where few Western tourists venture, may be basic and simple but they allow riders to get an authentic feel for live in these regions, a way to feel part of the rural community around them. At famous historic sites like Ajanta and Ellora, we stay in comfortable government hotels along with domestic tourists while on the Konkan Coast, the riders will bunk down in sunny beachfront hotels. In Rajasthan, many nights are spent in historic forts and palaces. As one rider put it, You are staying in a place that until recently had soldiers guarding the parapets and theres a real Maharaja somewhere in the vicinity.A Gastronomic Journey Through IndiaIndian food is certainly one of the worlds great cuisines and the Hippie Trail will give the riders the opportunity to sample dishes that are not only familiar to them from their local restaurants but spices they have never tasted and flavours and pairings that they have never experienced at home. On tour, the day usually begins with a buffet breakfast, followed by a nutritious roadside lunch, a mix of protein and carbs, combining comfort food with local flavours. Dinner is enjoyed each night as a group at the hotel and often includes some of Indias famous curries. Adventurous riders can take part in street food tours and discover the wide variety of options available each night at local markets.Cycling India On The Hippie Trail Cycling Adventure From Nervousness to NirvanaFor many cyclists perhaps, pedalling through India on a bike might not be the first thing that comes to mind. The prospect of navigating such a bustling landscape can initially spark anxiety and the prospect of constant human interaction, endless attention, and persistent curiosity might seem overwhelming but the reality is beautifully different. What begins as nervousness quickly transforms into genuine connection and joy. The Hippie Trail reveals a profound truth about India: beneath the dense population lies an incredibly warm and welcoming culture. Every day brings unexpected encounters from spontaneous wedding invitations to impromptu cricket matches, from being asked to speak at local schools to experiencing moments of genuine hospitality. What cyclists discover is that Indias crowds are not intimidating, but instead represent opportunities for remarkable human experiences, making the journey not just a cycling expedition, but a deeply transformative cultural immersion.A New Perspective: Experiencing India From The Saddle Of A BicycleOver 6 weeks, the route of the Hippie Trail leads cyclists 2750 km across India, all the while exposing them to the countrys remarkable culture. What dynamic elements makes it so unique? Past riders have gained first hand insight into why the Hippie Trail is different from all other cycling tours and discovered the specific qualities that make India a once-in-a-lifetime experience.RELATEDTOURHippie Trail "Turn on, tune in, Drop out" It was 1967 - the Summer of Love - and Timothy Leary had this advice for his young followers at the Human Be-In taking... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "A Passage Through India: Cycling The Hippie Trail" Cancel reply

UPDATED October 2, 2026 BY The TDA Team IN Path of the Jaguar no comments The Path Of The Jaguar Returns In 2028When we announced the Path of the Jaguar earlier this year, we certainly expected it to be popular. After all, it was an amazing cycling route through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala & Mexico. Along the way riders would be able to explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest, marvel at the sublime beauty of Lake Atitlan, sample Mexico Citys incredible street food, lounge in the sun on the sandy beaches of El Salvador and wander through the colonial architecture of Granada.Costa Rica RainforestThe response was incredible, the tour quickly sold out and the waitlist began to fill out. Originally, we thought we might run the tour every second year but obviously we needed to reconsider that idea, given the interest shown by our riders.We are pleased to announce that we are now offering cyclists another chance to experience Central America on the Path of the Jaguar. The 2028 adventure will depart from San Jose, Costa Rica on January 16, 2028 and arrive in Mexico City six weeks later on February 27, 2028. Same amazing route. Same incredible sights.If the size of the waiting list for the 2027 tour is an indication, we expect the tour to fill up as well. This time dont miss your chance.Plaza de la Constitucin, Mexico CityRELATEDTOURPath of the Jaguar The Jaguar. This majestic creature was considered sacred by both the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. Worshiped as a symbol of strength and power, the... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "The Path Of The Jaguar Returns In 2028" Cancel reply

UPDATED August 18, 2026 BY Michael Coo IN Africa: Ocean to Ocean no comments Cycling ZimbabweOur newest cycling expedition, Africa: Ocean to Ocean, takes riders through seven fascinating Southern African countries. In this post, we take a look at what cyclists can expect on their journey through country number 4, Zimbabwe.BulawayoBulawayo Coat of ArmsThe second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is known as the City of Kings. It features very wide streets lined with colourful jacaracanda and red flamboyant trees and some fine examples of colonial architecture. The riders will get a break from the African heat here as it is situated 1350 m above sea level, giving the evenings a nice cool touch. They should be sure not to miss both the fine Natural History Museum and the fascinating Railway Museum.Khami RuinsOn their rest day in Bulawayo, the riders will have the opportunity to visit the 15th century Khami Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 22 kms from the city centre. Built soon after the better known Great Zimbabwe structures, the restored walls reveal intricate and varied patterns of decoration and were the base for terraces upon which huts and other structures were built. It was considered a very spiritual site and was hidden from while settlers until the late 19th centuryMatobo National ParkThe riders will spin south out of Bulawayo and into Matobo National Park, home to one of Africas most distinctive landscapes. The sight of these balancing granite rock formations is truly something unique and a photographers wildest dream. In addition it is home to some incredible Stone Age cave art, being an area continuously inhabited by humans for over 40,000 years. Not enough? There are also significant populations of both black and white rhinos.Cecil Rhodes Grave SiteCecil Rhodes is, to say the least, a very controversial figure in the history of Africa being a vivid symbol of European colonialism. He had a vision of a Cape to Cairo Railway that, although never completed, inspired a trans-continental route that many travellers have largely followed, including our own Tour dAfrique Cycling Expedition. The cyclists will make a lunch stop at his grave site View of the World giving them a unique chance to reflect on his impact on Africa.Limpopo RiverOn the last night in Zimbabwe, the riders will camp on the shores of the Mighty Limpopo River. This legendary waterway was made famous in Rudyard Kiplings tale, The Elephants Child, from his 1902 book, Just So Stories. The river contains many large Nile crocodiles (an important part of Kiplings tale), hippos and the occasional Zambezi shark, a species that can tolerate fresh water and can travel far up the Limpopo.Recommended ReadingHeidi Holland Dinner With MugabeDoris Lessing African Laughter: Four Visits To ZimbabweWilson Katiyo Son Of The SoilSiphiwe Gloria Ndlovu City Of Kings TrilogyTerrance Ranger Voices From The Rocks: Nature, Culture & History In The Matopos Hills Of ZimbabweRecommended ViewingMugabe and the White African (2009) Award winning documentary about Robert Mugabes land policies being challenged in international courts.Dont Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight (2025) The final days of the Rhodesian War through the eyes of an eight year old girl.Neria (1991) Drama about a widows life after she loses her husband.Recommended Listening2 Broke Twimbos (2BT)In Conversation With Trevor (YouTube)The Whitewashing of Zimbabwes Ancient History (BBC)RELATEDTOURAfrica: Ocean to Ocean The original way to cross Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean was the maritime Cape Route past the continents southern tip, a perilous... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Cycling Zimbabwe" Cancel reply

UPDATED August 11, 2026 BY Guest Author IN Road to Valhalla no comments The Progressive Gradient to ValhallaArjuna Boucher-Pertuisot is the Content Creator on the 2026 Road to Valhalla Cycling Tour.Theres something the riders have been saying more and more as we make our way north: this trip just keeps getting better. Someone described the Road to Valhalla as a progressive gradient, and after nearly five weeks of riding through Scandinavia, it feels like the perfect way to put it. The Road to Valhalla takes us from Helsinki to Trondheim, crossing Finland, Sweden and Norway. But the progression between those two cities has felt like much more than kilometres on a map.We started in Helsinki under grey skies, with rain and chilly temperatures welcoming us to Scandinavia. Then came summer. Long sunny days through Sweden and southern Norway, quiet bike paths, forests reflected in lakes, farmland, coastal roads and evenings that seemed to stretch forever. And then, gradually, the North started turning up the volume. The roads began to climb. The coastline became more dramatic. Mountains appeared on the horizon, then suddenly surrounded us. Fjords cut deeper into the landscape, waterfalls seemed to pour from everywhere, and the weather became colder, wetter and less predictable. A little wilder. A little more Viking. A little closer to Valhalla. But perhaps the most interesting gradient has been happening within the group itself.The Quiet Side of ScandinaviaA bicycle is a good way to notice a place. You move slowly enough to see the details, but fast enough to watch the landscape and culture change around you. Steve Johnson, a rider from Wisconsin, has been particularly struck by something harder to photograph: the cleanliness, organization and quiet respect that seem woven into everyday life here. Theres no confetti, as Steve puts it. Its a simple way of describing something weve increasingly noticed. Nothing seems desperate for attention. The bike paths simply work. Public spaces are cared for. Nature feels accessible rather than separate from everyday life. Old Scandinavian buildings sit comfortably beside modern architecture.Then there are the rituals: fika, saunas, cold plunges, time outdoors regardless of the weather. Theres a coziness to life here, but also a closeness to nature. Perhaps its no coincidence that happiness comes up so often when talking about Scandinavia. At first, these are just details you notice. After weeks of riding through them, they start to feel connected. Maybe cycling is simply a good speed for understanding that.So, What Is Valhalla?In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the great hall of Odin, where warriors gather after death. Thankfully, our version involves significantly more bicycles, coffee and cake. And after almost five weeks together, Valhalla seems to mean something different to everyone. For some, its the freedom of waking up each morning knowing the day ahead is wonderfully simple: get on your bike and see what comes next. For others, its a moment. The top of a long climb. A cold plunge after a sauna. An extended fika stop. Laughing around the dinner table after spending the day riding through rain. For some, its the challenge. As the gradient rises, so does the reward.And inevitably, it becomes about the people. Ride, eat, struggle, laugh and discover enough together, and somewhere along the road a group of strangers becomes a small travelling family. Now, with only five days separating us from Trondheim, were resting in Geiranger, surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire journey. And the funny thing is, nobody seems ready for the gradient to stop. The mountains have grown higher. The weather wilder. But the excitement, appreciation and simple happiness of being here seem to have climbed right alongside them. Were still riding toward Trondheim. But perhaps Valhalla was never something waiting for us at the end. Maybe weve been riding into it all along.RELATEDTOURRoad to Valhalla 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... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "The Progressive Gradient to Valhalla" Cancel reply

UPDATED August 5, 2026 BY Guest Author IN South American Epic no comments Learning To Breathe Again: Tackling Changing Altitudes On The South American EpicCamille Kirby is the Content Creator on the 2026 South American Epic Cycling Expedition.When you sign up to cycle a continent, you know youll face vast and diverse landscapes. Some will feel like a breeze; others will test your endurance and mental resolve. Some challenges will be outright difficult, while others will creep up on you over weeks, just as the kilometres of climbing do to ones thigh muscles in the Colombian Andes.The South American Epic takes cyclists to nearly every crack and crevice of the continents terrain, but it is in the mountains, high above sea level, where a specific hidden challenge tests riders in a unique way: altitude.Reduced oxygen levels and lower atmospheric pressure combine to test a human beings relationship with their breathingwith the lungs that keep them alive. Put that human being on a bike and have them cycle toward the sky, and that relationship becomes even more of a battle. And yet, our 2026 cyclists have pushed their bodies to the limit without having to have a difficult conversation with their lungs. From volcano to volcano, heres how the 2026 South American Epic has tackled the high elevations of Colombia and Ecuador.Anne Brooks reacts to arriving for lunch at 3,900 metres at the Nevado del Ruiz VolcanoOur first taste of thin air came after a slow but lengthy climb from the agricultural centre of Manizales up the slopes of Nevado del Ruiz. We ascended from 2,153 metres to 3,900 metres. The night before, Jessie Morgan, our medic, led a talk on what to look out for when climbing into the thinning atmosphere: dizziness, sudden and rapid fatigue, and a throbbing headache. She urged the cyclists to drink more water, snack often, and make sure theyre getting a full nights sleep.Lunch was almost freezing. With mist rolling in and out, you could barely make out Nevado del Ruiz, the towering volcano hidden among the clouds. Nancy Stueve, from the U.S., was the first cyclist to arrive. She said she felt fine until about 15 minutes earlier, when all of a sudden breathing became a conscious effort rather than a subconscious one. Riders arrived at lunch telling similar stories, but the descent into camp calmed the nerves and returned their lungs to a normal status quo. And just like that, we survived our first test!Riders adjust their layers and drink water as they head up to 3,200 metres outside of Pasto, ColombiaAfter a two-day bus trip due to civil unrest and safety concerns along our route, we arrived in the small city of Pasto, surrounded by Volcn Galeras and dozens of rolling green hills. Cycling out of the city, we felt the rise of elevation almost immediately. We cycled through the city which lies at 2,500 meters, but by way of steep gravel climb we reached 3,200 meters rapidly. The last two riders walked their bikes up a steep hill, only for us to round the next corner and find six more doing the samenot a single pedal stroke in sight.I didnt think wed get to 3,200 metres today, says Karin Lind Hansen from Denmark, checking her Garmin. The hill is hard, but the thin air makes it almost impossible. Riders found it difficult to keep drinking water, with the frigid early morning temperatures making hydration feel far more like an afterthought.At lunch, everyone agreed it must have been the three days off the bike that made the climb feel so punishing but it became clear that the rapid gain in altitude has caught up with us. We began to realize that our gradual ascent to Nevado del Ruiz may have been the key to maintaining steady breathing. Going from 2,500 to 3,200 metres on a 9% gravel climb is even harsher than it sounds. Even I, simply walking back and forth to photograph cyclists climbing the hill, felt my lungs demanding extra breaths.Rob Fisher sets up his tent under the watchful eye of CotopaxiThe day has come. Today well reach the highest elevation of the expedition. Two days earlier, Jess encouraged riders interested in taking altitude medication to begin their doses that evening. About half the group choose to take it.When cyclingor doing any activity at altitudeyou give yourself about 20 to 30 minutes to negotiate with your body about why you feel the way you do. Maybe you didnt sleep enough. Maybe you havent had enough water. Maybe your muscles are simply sore. But after those 30 minutes, you realize the thinning air really is the culprit.At lunch, at 3,300 metres, Jessie taped a sign to the drinking water jug: Drink more. Eat more. Sleep more. Feel better at 3,900 metres.The sign proved more effective than you might expect. Riders returned to refill a second water bottle, then a third. Michaela Pye, our Tour Leader, made sure the staff are acutely aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and encouraged the lunch crew to check in frequently with riders about how theyre feeling. We also encouraged riders to eat more than usual and stay on top of their water and protein intake. When assessing altitude sickness, you want to rule out every other factor first before concluding that the thin air is causing the problem.The ride into camp that evening was defined by rough gravel and relentless winds, all beneath the towering presence of Cotopaxi. Its was a tough day. Riders were pushed toward the opposite side of the road by powerful gusts, forcing them to constantly adjust while navigating the rocky terrain.Room with a viewAnd yet, every cyclist rolled into campstill under the watchful eye of the volcanowith a smile on their face and little mention of struggling lungs or pounding headaches. Maddy Holmes, from Australia, sumed it up perfectly: To arrive at a camp with this view, you had to have had a tough day.Altitude can often feel like anxiety. Your breathing becomes shallow, your heart rate climbs, and your body feels as though its vibrating. Theres something to be said for this groups commitment to drinking more water, eating more frequently, and getting enough sleep. Those habits have helped us listen to our bodies instead of getting caught up in the anxiety-inducing nature of cycling at altitude. Riders stop often, check in with themselves and each other, and know when its time to call it a day.RELATEDTOURSouth American Epic This challenging expedition offers you the best opportunity to explore the vastness and diversity of South America by bike. In keeping with the TDA... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Learning To Breathe Again: Tackling Changing Altitudes On The South American Epic" Cancel reply