People’s Champion Finalist: Ride25

Start-up name: Ride25
Founders: John Readman and Rob Hamilton
Started in: 2014
Based in: London
Business description: Cycling tour operator

Shortlisted category:

Rising Star of the Year

The Ride25 story:

Cycling is having a moment. One in three Britons now cycle regularly, bike sales have risen to over £745m and are set to hit sales of £909m by 2018. With demand on the up, Ride25 has capitalised on this trend with its unique bike holiday “adventures”.

Started in February 2014 by John Readman and Instant Offices Group founder Rob Hamilton, Ride25 gives cyclists of all abilities the once-in-a-lifetime ability to cycle from the UK to Sydney over 25 separate legs. Open to consumers and corporates, the start-up says its bike tours offer much more than just cycling with hospitality, support and planning all included alongside “camaraderie, stunning landscapes and the ability to make life long memories”.

Its new approach to biking has attracted over 1,000 participants to date including Facebook, Google, Adobe, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Help for Heroes, and has racked up 5 star rankings with many of its riders already signed up for future trips.

After an encounter with the Dragons earlier this year, the cycling tourism business has ambitious plans for the coming year with repeat business already secured for 2016. It is also in discussions with other top name corporates to book a Ride25 tour.

Why Ride25 made our 60:

An exciting proposition for the cycling world, Ride25 is making bike trips accessible to the masses. Giving you the chance to cycle past some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, eat authentic cuisine and stay in pre-booked hotels, it’s easy to see why Ride25 has appealed to big corporates and charities. The Dragons might not have seen Ride25’s potential but we certainly do!

Where to find out more about Ride25:

Website: www.ride25.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ride25world