How Did iRideNairobi Start?
When Lenny first moved to Nairobi in 2017, Nairobi traffic made him realize how impatient he really was. But to be fair, Nairobi does have some of the worldโs worst traffic. Lenny quickly started envying the boda bodas who seemingly effortlessly cruised through traffic. It did not take long for him to decide that he also needed a motorcycle. One hungover Sunday he decided to go and buy a boda boda. From that point on he never looked back. The experience of riding a motorcycle through Nairobi and the surrounding country side, being independent, free to go wherever, whenever was immensely liberating. He enjoyed it so much, he decided to share this experience with others โ and thus began the iRideNairobi journey. After nearly two years of being an online business, iRide has since March of 2020 also opened its first office at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi.
What Is Our Vision?
At the heart of iRideNairobi is the desire to build a financially independent African business which creates employment in East Africa and shares the passion for travelling, the outdoors, and most importantly the freedom and thrill of motorcycle riding. We see ourselves as a start-up which seeks to disrupt the motorcycle tourism and logistics industries in Nairobi and East Africa. We believe in innovation but we are cognisant of the fact that too many start-ups in Nairobi are innovative to the point that they are premised on unrealistic expectations of the market โ ahead of their time and ultimately unable to ever become profitable and create sustainable employment. We wish to create a business which is integrated with the local community, which employs Kenyans and mixes modern management principles with a local flavour. Ultimately, we wish to create a company which offers an excellent and reliable service which enables people from around the world to safely enjoy the wonders of Nairobi, Kenya and Africa.
Our awesome team
Meet Lenny, a global citizen with a passion for biking and a heart for entrepreneurship. Born in Germany and having lived in 10 countries, Lenny planted roots in Kenya in March 2017, where he went on to found iRideNairobi. For Lenny, it’s not about the money; it’s about sharing the love for biking and the unique experience of building a business in Africa.Despite his full-time commitment to the United Nations in Nairobi, Lenny plays a distinctive role at iRideNairobi. While not involved in day-to-day operations, he sees himself as a spiritual father, imparting guidance and vision to the venture he holds close to his heart. Lenny’s journey reflects not just a business endeavor but a shared love for the open road and the spirit of community. ๐๐๏ธ
Meet Remco, our accomplished General Manager and strategic investor, whose expertise in motorcycle tours spans an impressive 20 years. A seasoned professional, Remco is the driving force behind our success, infusing the company with a wealth of knowledge and strategic vision. His meticulous attention to detail sets him apart, ensuring that every aspect of our motorcycle tours is finely tuned for an unparalleled experience. Remco’s instrumental role and commitment to excellence are unmistakable, shaping our operations and setting the standard for remarkable journeys on two wheels. ๐๏ธ๐
Raxis, certainly not your typical General Manager: Drone Pilot who owned a driving school, Driving Instructor who studied Engineering, Engineer who writes books, Writer who loves Enduro motorcycles… The R&D force of our team, he designed our very own Kibo K250 Race bikes. Being deep into the Automotive Industry for 25 years, there aren’t many problems he hasn’t tackled! You always find him on the move: Whenever he is not ensuring our quality of services, he will be found tinkering with bikes, enjoying a safari, modifying his 4X4 or riding off-road. ๐๏ธ
Our tours would not be complete without the most likeable Madanji. He has done some of the tours countless times, but still probably has more fun than anyone else while doing them. Madanji loves riding and will ride to Mombasa and back in one day with a smile on his face. Madanji is key for our operations team, super reliable and always willing to sacrifice his own time for the team. He’s in charge of route planning, motorcycle handover demos and our guided tours. He’s a jovial but calm fellow which comes in handy when you’re faced by the unexpected while riding off-road. Having him around has a way of putting everyone at ease.
Meet Brian, our motorcycle fleet manager extraordinaire! With a keen eye for detail and a passion for all things motorcycles, Brian excels in his role. His expertise ensures our fleet is not only well-maintained but also operates at peak performance. From scheduling maintenance to optimizing routes, Brian’s dedication and proficiency make him an invaluable asset to our team, ensuring smooth rides and efficient operations. ๐๏ธ
Where do we start with our Mechanic ? ๐ He’s as comfortable on the bike as he is under it, taking apart engines and wheels with the speed an agility of a spotted cat. Stop anywhere for longer than 2 minutes and you’ll find him scanning the area for any spare tools lying around or the next best selfie ! His intricate knowledge of the bikes and quality of service ensures that the only trouble you’ll have riding is lack of time to see it all!