Helen Alumäe seotus rattaretkedega ulatub 1990. aastatesse, mil ta noore loodushuvilisena esimest korda retkel osales ja sellest kogemusest sügavalt inspireerus. Peagi sai temast ka retkede korraldaja – 1996. ja 1997. aastal oli ta koos tiimiga Rattarretkede peakorraldajate seas, viies osalejad muu hulgas ka Võru- ja Setomaale.

Täna on Helen Setomaa elu ja kultuuri sügav tundja – ta töötab Seto Instituudis, tegutseb giidina ning on aktiivne kohaliku kogukonna liige. Aastate jooksul on ta läbi sõitnud pea kõik Setomaa teed, kogunud lugusid ning õppinud tundma piirkonna inimesi ja kombeid.

Rattafestil on Helen rajameister ja kohalike kontaktide looja, tuues osalejateni Setomaa eheda olemuse, looduse ja kultuuri.

Küllo Arjakas works as the director of the Tallinn City Archives. His main research areas have been the political history of Estonia in the 20th century, the history of the Estonian flag and anthem, and several government agencies.

Margus Timmo is a long-time entrepreneur with roots in Setomaa. One of the biggest challenges for him and the Setomaa Association is increasing the region's self-sufficiency and ensuring sustainability. He is also the leader of organic production and handling in Võru County.

In 2020, a goodwill agreement was signed in Võru County, the aim of which was to switch the catering of all educational institutions to at least 20% organic ingredients - this goal has been successfully achieved to date.

In addition, Margus Timmo is involved in agriculture, growing organic blackcurrants on 9 hectares, from which he mainly produces juice.

During the bike tours, he introduces participants to organic farming in Setomaa, talking about what has already been done and future plans. Among other things, he highlights that Setomaa is the Estonian municipality with the relatively largest proportion of organic farmland.

Ahto has prepared various information stands about Setomaa and the Northern Camp. He has also researched the history of the Southern and Northern Camps from various sources – local memories, historical archives. In addition, Ahto collects wonderful photographs and probably has one of the most complete in Estonia about the entire region.

Meel Valk works as a cooperation manager and project manager at the Võrumaa Development Centre. She leads an Estonian-Latvian cooperation project, which aims to bring the local language and culture to more educational institutions.
Ta on nelja lapse ema ning on südamega panustanud Setomaa hariduse edendamisse, et luua lastele parim võimalik õpikeskkond ja siduda nad tihedalt kohaliku kogukonna rikkustega. Kuus aastat tagasi aitas ta käivitada setokeelse õuesõppe lasteaiarühma ning kaks aastat tagasi Obinitsa kogukonnaklassi.

In addition, Meel Valk is an active bearer of Seto culture – he has been chosen as the best orator, best songwriter, best baker and best musician in the Seto Kingdom.

The Lummo Kati leelo choir is named after the famous Seto singer Lummo Kati, also known as Jekaterina Lummo, who lived in the village of Nedsäjä.
Koori liikmed tulevad kokku nii Setomaalt kui ka laiemalt Lõuna-Eestist. Neid ühendab sügav huvi seto vanema laulutraditsiooni vastu ning soov seda hoida ja edasi kanda.

The main activity of the Lummo Kati leelo choir is to study and preserve Seto leelo. To this end, they search for old recordings from the Estonian Folklore Archive of the Estonian Literary Museum and song lyrics from leelo anthologies. The choir members practice creating their own words, old tunes, and polyphony.

In collaboration with researchers from the Estonian Folklore Archive, we will consciously learn to recognize and pass on the polyphony, unique sound style, and word-creation tradition inherent in Seto leelo.

They enjoy singing most at village fairs with other leelo choirs and older female singers, because that is where they can best get the true feel of leelo and experience the joy and excitement of singing together.

Talking about Seto leelo, introducing the songs, and above all, singing themselves is their great passion and hobby – they do it with dedication and can fill hours with their songs.

Kauksi Ülle is engaged in delving into history to create new plays that speak to people today. She keeps an eye on and participates in the recognition of South Estonian languages ​​as regional languages ​​in Estonia.

Olen töötanud Värska Originaalis umbes 27 aastat ja kõikvõimalikel ametitel, mis on seotud müügi ja turundusega. Räägin rattamatka esimesel päeval nautuke Värska Originaali ajaloost ning kus ja kuidas jõuab pudelisse Värska Originaal.

Ahti works as a mud chef at Värska Sanatorium – he knows the properties of therapeutic mud and its uses well. He tells us about the extraction of mud from the lake and the journey of the mud to the baths. In addition, he tells us about the fun things he did while extracting the mud and the wonderful finds there.