Lycra-Clad Yorkshireman Slaying the Dragons

Yorkshire cycling entrepreneur, John Readman, is featured on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den at 8pm on August 30, 2015 seeking expertise and investment to help the rapid growth of his Ride25 cycling tour business.

Ride25 is a unique cycling holidays company, providing consumer and corporate cycling challenges all over Europe and worldwide.   Ride25 is not just about the cycling though…  it focuses on the camaraderie, delicious food, stunning landscapes and joint experience of the challenge of a lifetime.  Check out the video:

Inspired by the Yorkshire Grand Départ, Leeds-born Readman founded Ride25 in 2014 and has already taken over a thousand people on cycling tours with high-profile clients including Google, Facebook, Adobe, DTZ and Liberty Global. This September will see the company arranging nine independent European cycling tours.

Readman comments, “In early 2014 there was such a buzz in the air about cycling due to the forthcoming Yorkshire Grand Départ, I felt that if I was going to set up my own cycling tour business it was now or never. And so I quit my job and Ride25 was born.”

One year later, Readman, 39, found himself (fully-clad in lycra) cycling into Dragons’ Den, pitching his cycling holiday business to the Dragons on the hit BBC2 show.

“Meeting the Dragons was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. During my three-minute pitch I was nervous, but as I eased into it I found my stride.  With hindsight it was a bit of a surreal experience, but that might have had something to do with the Lycra!”

Brian Robinson, the first Englishman to complete the Tour de France, commented: “When I met John his passion for cycling and adventure was obvious.  It’s great that Ride25 is giving people the chance to explore Europe on a bike - just like I did when I was a professional cyclist - winning stages in the tour. It’s the best way to see the world and it’s great that they are encouraging cyclist to get out there and see the world by bike. I wish him the best of luck for next Sunday on the BBC Dragons’ Den show – rather him than me!” 

It feels like only yesterday that Cycle Alert were in Leeds celebrating Le Grand Départ; it’s astounding that John has built such a strong brand in such a short amount of time.  Ride 25 is such a great concept and Cycle Alert hopes to take part in a ride soon!  We do hope you’ll all be joining us in rooting for him this weekend - in the mean time do check out the Ride 25 blog - it’s a really great read.

To see John Readman take on the Dragons, watch BBC2’s Dragons’ Den at 8pm on August 30, 2015. To find out more about Ride25, please visit www.ride25.com