About us
One route. 25 legs. 25 years.
Ride25 is a mission to cycle from London to Sydney, broken into 25 legs ridden one leg a year, each of three to eight days, raising money for good causes along the way.
Who started it
Ride25 was founded by Rob Hamilton and John Readman in 2012 to see the world by bike, explore less-travelled areas, raise money for good causes and have a lot of fun with an amazing group of people. It is really a hobby that has got out of control. In 2026 we have 225 people completing the legs!
The business is not run for profit but to create charity fundraising events that maximise the fundraising. The founders are paid no income and in the event of any profit it will be given to charity.
How it works
Each leg is a supported charity cycling holiday of three to eight days, riding a section of the route from London towards Sydney. You can ride one leg, a few, or chase the whole thing over 25 years.
The Pioneers are the original group who started in London and are now approaching Kathmandu. The Founders are a second group of entrepreneurs following the same road in their tracks — 10 years later.
We are a broad church — our cyclists are aged from 14 to 83, with individuals, couples and often parents riding with an older child.
We don't take ourselves too seriously — who gets awarded the daily muppet shirt is more important than who got up the hill fastest! We also have the annual John Miles Cup, awarded to the person who has really made a difference.
Ride25 in a nutshell
- See less-travelled parts of the world — you'll probably never have visited 95% of the places we ride through.
- Have fun and build incredible friendships over the years.
- Get and keep fit, not just for a one-off event — the next leg is never far away.
- Raise money for good causes — money that is spent very efficiently.
Every rider raises money for our charities and earns the badge for that leg.
The legs so far, compared
8,005 km ridden over 53 days, with 94,981 m of climbing.
| Leg | Days | Avg km/day | Avg climb/day (m) | Max climb in 1 day (m) | Max elevation (m) | Total climbing (m) | Total km | Cumulative km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 – Parmoor to Paris | 3 | 123 | 1,370 | 1,729 | 225 | 4,110 | 370 | 370 |
| Leg 2 – Paris to Geneva | 4 | 147 | 1,874 | 2,609 | 1,323 | 7,496 | 587 | 957 |
| Leg 3 – Geneva to Milan | 4 | 143 | 1,262 | 2,276 | 2,478 | 5,046 | 571 | 1,528 |
| Leg 4 – Milan to Rome | 5 | 146 | 1,668 | 2,880 | 950 | 8,342 | 732 | 2,260 |
| Leg 5 – Rome to Bari | 4 | 163 | 2,598 | 3,680 | 1,132 | 10,392 | 650 | 2,910 |
| Leg 6 – Bari to Thessaloniki | 4 | 153 | 2,194 | 3,685 | 1,527 | 8,776 | 612 | 3,522 |
| Leg 7 – Thessaloniki to Istanbul | 5 | 169 | 1,901 | 2,719 | 730 | 9,505 | 845 | 4,367 |
| Leg 8 – Istanbul to Çandır | 4 | 157 | 2,662 | 3,470 | 1,646 | 10,648 | 628 | 4,995 |
| Leg 9 – Çandır to Giresun | 5 | 143 | 1,729 | 2,685 | 1,393 | 8,644 | 716 | 5,711 |
| Leg 10 – Giresun to Tbilisi | 6 | 153 | 1,862 | 2,286 | 2,461 | 11,169 | 917 | 6,628 |
| Leg 11 – Tbilisi to Baku | 4 | 141 | 2,098 | 2,487 | 2,057 | 8,393 | 563 | 7,191 |
| Leg 14 – Jaisalmer to Tijara | 5 | 163 | 492 | 802 | 589 | 2,460 | 814 | 8,005 |
| Total so far | 53 | 151 | 94,981 | 8,005 | ||||
The brand, by Steve Edge
Steve Edge came up with the original Ride25 name, the badges and the look of the whole thing. Here he is explaining where it all came from.
The crew
Every leg is supported by the same crew — covering logistics, hospitality, bike mechanics, medical and sports physio.
You will meet Mel, Margot, Eleni, Claire, Dan, Adam, Jonny, Sarah & Kate at the start.
Want to start a third wave?
Are you a well-connected person, team or organisation that wants to start a third 25 year journey? We are looking for the right leaders to start again from London. Ride25 will do all the heavy lifting — you just need to recruit and lead the rides, following in the tracks of the Pioneers and the Founders.
Contact
Get in touch using our contact form
Ride25 LimitedThe Hyde, Hambleden
Henley-on-Thames RG9 6SY
Fourteen years on the road
A few frames from the legs already ridden. Click any photograph to watch the film and see the full album.
Ride25Where it began, Leg 1 — Parmoor to Paris
Pioneers · Leg 1
Ride25Rolling out of Paris, Leg 2 — Paris to Geneva
Pioneers · Leg 2
Ride25The Nufenen Pass, Leg 3 — Geneva to Milan
Pioneers · Leg 3
Ride25Tuscan hills, Leg 4 — Milan to Rome
Pioneers · Leg 4
Ride25Southern Italy, Leg 5 — Rome to Bari
Pioneers · Leg 5
Ride25Into Istanbul, Leg 7 — Thessaloniki to Istanbul
Pioneers · Leg 7
Ride25Leg 9 — Çandır to Giresun
Pioneers · Leg 9
Ride25At the Eiffel Tower, Founders Leg 1 — London to Paris
Founders · Leg 1
Ride25The Black Sea coast, Leg 10 — Giresun to Tbilisi
Pioneers · Leg 10
Ride25Founders Leg 2 — Paris to Geneva
Founders · Leg 2
Ride25Rolling out of Tbilisi, Leg 11 — Tbilisi to Baku
Pioneers · Leg 11
Ride25Founders Leg 3 — Geneva to Milan
Founders · Leg 3
Ride25Rajasthan, Leg 14 — Jaisalmer to Tijara
Pioneers · Leg 14
Ride25Rolling into St Peter's Square, Founders Leg 4 — Milan to Rome
Founders · Leg 4
Ride25Founders Leg 4 — Milan to Rome
Founders · Leg 4
What our riders say
“After three legs Ride25 has become one of the highlights of my year. I was inspired by the vision John and Rob painted of a group of like-minded business founders riding across the world to raise money for a fantastic cause. The reality has far exceeded my expectations: faultless organisation, and superb riding through stunning scenery in the company of inspiring and supportive entrepreneurs. I've made some great friends and learned a lot about myself. And I've laughed, a lot! It's a genuinely enriching, life-enhancing experience.”
“I can honestly say that the experience of pedalling with fellow Ride25 Pioneers for over 4,000 miles over 10 years has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I've discovered new friendships, interests, fitness levels, countries, cultures, foods, wines and beers whilst also helping transform the life opportunities of those children supported by 1moreChild. Each year's leg is a protected date in my diary and a highlight of my year. The final destination may be Sydney but it's on the journey, and in the community, where I've found that life-affirming magic.”
“I've been part of the Pioneers for quite a few years. Every ride is a wonderful experience — a beautifully organised voyage into the unknown made even better by doing it with a wonderful group of people. We've still got a massive distance to do, but the thought of cycling into Sydney together is highly motivating. On top of this, it is great to see the good which 1moreChild is doing with the funds raised through this amazing adventure.”
“Making friends, finding new business partners, keeping fit, and exploring the quiet roads of Europe and beyond by bike, all whilst raising funds that I know are making such a difference in Uganda. So many great memories, and so many more to come. I can't recommend Ride25 enough.”
“Pioneers has been an amazing and truly memorable life adventure so far — exploring the world by bike, getting fit, and making great friends and business contacts along the way too. Beats the beach or a golf trip in my book — and in aid of a great charity. The ultimate distraction from the stresses of running a startup — I can't recommend it enough.”
“My first ride with Ride25 was two years ago. I was very nervous and apprehensive as a solo female, but I could not have been made to feel more welcome, looked after and safe. The cycling was amazing, the organisation was super slick and the accommodation was first class. An amazing group of people and an experience of a lifetime. I am now in my third year and hope to continue every year from now on.”
“Ride25 is something I look forward to and train for every year. It is an amazing way to see the world, enjoy quality time with friends and raise a lot of money for a great cause — sign up, you won't regret it — good for your body and soul.”
“The pride I feel from participating and therefore contributing to 1moreChild is priceless. The payback is every year I continue to pedal, work on my fitness and then have a gathering of friends with whom we shed sweat, tears and bags of laughter making this a top life experience I would never trade.”