Business leaders from the tech, retail, and travel sectors are undertaking a 350-mile cycling event to support 1moreChild, a charity operating in Uganda.
First launched in 2012 and known as ‘The Pioneers’, the collective of business leaders has set out on a mission to cycle from the UK to Australia in stages. The journey, planned over 25 legs across 25 years, aims to combines a passion for cycling and adventure whilst raising money for charity.
Organised by Ride25, a cycling event management company, this year’s leg, the eleventh out of 25, is a 350-mile mountainous cycle from Tbilisi, Georgia, to Baku, Azerbaijan, over four days.
To date, an impressive £1.6 million has been raised, with the ultimate goal of raising over £5 million within reach as the ride continues each year towards Australia.
Covering 4,469 miles through the first 10 legs, the journey has seen cyclists traverse challenging routes from London to Tbilisi, passing through Paris, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Bari, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Ankara, Candir, and Giresun.
The cyclists are prepared to face tough weather conditions and unforgiving terrains. Each mile ridden contributes directly to 1moreChild, a charity organisation that supports vulnerable children in Jinja, Uganda, by providing them with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care, enabling their education and overall well-being.
Unlike other events, every participating cyclist covers their own expenses, ensuring that all funds raised go directly to the charity.
Organised by John Readman and Rob Hamilton of Ride25, ‘The Pioneers’ ride has gained traction and support from across the business world. Current sponsors include Marritott Harrison, SEKO Logistics, Orega, Modo25, Sigma Sport, Gressingham Duck, CrowdCube, Home Grown Club, The ICE Network and Cap Maison St Lucia.
John Readman, founder of Ride25, said “Over 100 riders will be joining us this year for ‘Leg 11’ of ‘The Pioneers’. We are ready for the challenge ahead, no matter how tough the conditions or how big the climbs. This year, several of the climbs are bigger than anything we have done before – even when crossing the Alps.
“The event has grown every year, with everyone united by a common goal: to cycle to Australia while raising critical funds for 1moreChild. Our ambitious target of over £5 million is within sight, and we are proud to be ahead of schedule with £1.6 million raised to date.
“This year, participants will endure a staggering 350 miles through the challenging landscapes of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The support from friends, family, and the team at 1moreChild is our driving force.
“The money raised is instrumental in empowering vulnerable children in Uganda, helping them to achieve their full potential. We are deeply grateful for all continued support, and planning for 2025 and beyond is already in progress.”
Ride25’s idea has been so popular there is a second group also heading to Australia one leg at a time. This ride is for business founders only. They are embarking on the same adventure following in the footsteps of the Ride25 Pioneers. This year the ‘Ride25 Founders’ are on leg three, from Geneva to Milan – there are limited spaces left for this cycling adventure which gets under way in September.
