Aydin Aygun

AYDIN AYGUN

aka:

ROLE  Tour Leader

RIDE Among the war memorials of Gallipoli Peninsula with goosebumps

RELAX Oxymoron but real - a long stretching session after a long run in the forest

REFRESHMENT A chilled rose with the sunset over Aegean

READ The Source by James A. Michener or Origins by Lewis Dartnell

Born by the River Euphrates in Eastern Turkey, Aydin graduated as a first lieutenant officer from Military Academy but left the army after serving one year. Instead, Aydin earned a graduate degree in Christian and Roman History at Gonzaga University in the US and began leading academic study groups for archaeological and Biblical programs. He’s also an endurance athlete who has competed for the Turkish national team and still holds the Military Academy’s record for the 3000m steeplechase since 1991. After his long-time passion of running had to be put on hold due to injuries, Aydin discovered cycling as an alternative.

Since 1994, he has been guiding adventure groups on biking and hiking expeditions in Greece and Turkey. He continues to run marathons and travels around the world to run orienteering races in different terrains and forests. He is blessed with two teenage daughters and his dog, Wiska. He lives in Belgium where his wife Sofie comes from. After living in Turkey, the US, and Belgium, within three different lifestyles, cultures, and languages, his motto is “the more we learn the more we love.”