Our story
The road is a beginning.
We are building an international initiative around a simple possibility: riding can bring people together, and those connections can create useful work for rural places.
Founding stage · November 2026
From Gondramaz, towards the world.
World Riders Rally connects the pleasure of a journey with a longer commitment to the places along the road. Our founding focus is Gondramaz and the Serra da Lousã in central Portugal.
We invite young riders, independent creators, village hosts and collaborators to explore a programme that combines cultural exchange, AI-assisted enterprise and field research.
Local people help define the needs. Creators bring their curiosity and skills. A shared gathering opens the conversation; ongoing work gives it a reason to continue.
Meet the founder.
James TJ Lee (Li Tiejun) is a rider, writer and entrepreneur pursuing doctoral studies in sociology at the University of Coimbra. His work across riding experiences, creative projects and entrepreneurship shapes this initiative.
His China-based riding brand, NOTHING BIKE, is developing a related riding-and-AI enterprise concept in Nanjing. Both initiatives share a founder; future collaborations will be described transparently.
World Riders Rally is independently initiated and founder-led. References to the University of Coimbra describe the founder’s studies. An institutional research station, university endorsement and formal partnerships have not been established.
More about JamesOur working commitments.
- Begin with local priorities. Hosts help shape activities, representation and the use of their stories.
- Keep value close to the place. Seek local accommodation, services, purchasing and paid collaboration.
- Create with care. Check AI-assisted content, respect authorship and agree how work will be used.
- Publish what we learn. Separate plans, observations and verified outcomes.
- Ride responsibly. Design each gathering around suitable roads, group size and local conditions.
A network being built in the open.
We are inviting founding collaborators. Event dates, host agreements and international editions will be published as they are confirmed. Our goal is a living network with local voices in its decisions.