Some connections are built on the road. Cycling, with its open landscapes, shared challenges and camaraderie, has a unique way of bringing people together. For Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze, the founders of nevistravel., cycling is more than just a hobby — it’s the foundation of a lifestyle and business that has turned their love for the sport into something special. With a vision of creating luxury cycling and triathlon experiences that are as much about connecting with like-minded people as they are about exploring new places, Emma and Guilhem have brought something new to the table. But how did it all begin?

A shared passion for cycling and triathlon

Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze’s journey into the world of cycling began long before they created nevistravel. Emma, a former professional triathlete with over a decade of experience, had lived and breathed the competitive sports scene.

“Triathlon wasn’t just part of my career; it was my life,” she recalls. “It shaped who I am — pushing my limits, racing at the highest level. But beyond the competition, it’s the community, the friends I’ve made and the places I’ve seen that have had the most lasting impact.”

Guilhem, on the other hand, has always been rooted in the cycling industry. A lifelong cyclist himself, he worked with luxury brands and major cycling companies, founding nevisroad., a business development and marketing consulting agency that helped global brands succeed in the endurance sports world.

“Cycling has always been my world — working with some of the biggest names in the industry gave me an inside view of what works and what’s missing,” says Guilhem.

But it was more than just their professional lives that connected them. Over time, through shared rides and discussions, they started dreaming about a venture that would merge their passion for cycling and triathlon with their entrepreneurial spirits. The idea for nevistravel. began to take shape: a way to offer high-end, boutique cycling experiences that would allow others to see the world through a cyclist’s eyes.

Challenges in the beginning

Starting a business is never easy and nevistravel. was no exception. The early days were filled with challenges. As Emma Bilham explains, “We were new to the luxury travel space and we had to find our footing. It’s one thing to have a vision but turning that into a reality took a lot of trial and error.” Financing was one of the first hurdles to overcome, a subtle balance between self-financing and substantial investment by nevisroad. And then there were logistical challenges — crafting tours that met the high standards Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze envisioned meant finding the right locations, accommodations and partners.

“There were times when we wondered if we’d taken on too much,” says Guilhem Lacaze. “Long hours, countless meetings and failed partnerships — it’s all part of the process. But in the end, each of those failures taught us something valuable, pushing us to refine our approach.”

One thing they were certain about from the start was that nevistravel. wasn’t just going to be another cycling tour or triathlon camp operator. They wanted it to be a boutique experience — something exclusive, where every detail was handpicked and curated. And despite the early setbacks, their determination to stay true to this vision is what propelled them forward.

Woman sitting comfortably on a cozy armchair in a warmly lit living room.

From passion to business

Turning a passion into a profession is easier said than done, but Emma and Guilhem knew they had something special to offer. “We’ve spent our lives in this industry, both as athletes and professionals. We knew what worked, what didn’t and where the gaps were,” says Emma. nevisroad., their first venture, gave them a solid foundation in the business side of cycling, triathlon, running and endurance sports. But with nevistravel., they were entering a whole new world.

The idea was simple: create boutique, all-inclusive cycling holidays and triathlon camps that take people off the beaten track and immerse them in the most beautiful landscapes Europe has to offer. But unlike many other tour operators, nevistravel. wasn’t just about the cycling or the triathlon — it was about the full experience. From carefully selected routes to the finest accommodations and exclusive activities, every trip was designed to be memorable.

“We wanted to offer more than just a cycling holiday or a triathlon camp,” says Guilhem. “It was about crafting a journey — where everything from the coffee stop to the evening dinner was thought out and tailored to each guest.”

And this approach resonated with their clients. nevistravel.’s tours quickly became known for their exclusivity and attention to detail. Whether it was a ride through the lavender fields of Provence or a climb up the legendary Mont Ventoux, Emma and Guilhem were delivering something that no one else in the market was offering.

What sets nevistravel. apart

What sets nevistravel. apart from other cycling tour and triathlon camp operators is its unwavering focus on exclusivity and personalisation. For Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze, no two tours or camps are ever the same. “We handpick every element of the experience — every route, every stop, every meal,” says Guilhem. “It’s all about creating something that feels personal.”

From the boutique accommodations to the exclusive activities, nevistravel. is designed to cater to the individual. And this personal touch is what makes their tours so special. “We’ve had clients tell us that our tours feel like they’ve been made just for them,” says Emma. “That’s the greatest compliment we could receive.”

Their partnerships with local experts and premium brands also play a crucial role in setting them apart. Working with top-tier hotels, restaurants and local guides ensures that every experience is authentic and high-end. “We don’t just want our guests to ride through a place — we want them to experience it fully,” explains Emma.

Beyond just the accommodations and activities, nevistravel. goes further by immersing clients in exclusive cycling experiences. Guests don’t just ride through beautiful places — they ride the best bikes from our premium brand partners, wear the finest cycling apparel and refuel with top-tier espresso from our exclusive coffee partnerships. It’s a complete experience, ensuring that every moment, from the bike to the café stop, is of the highest quality.

Cyclist smiling during a ride on a clear day with scenic views in the background.

The journey of entrepreneurship

Despite the success they’ve seen, the road hasn’t always been smooth. Building a boutique business in a competitive market comes with its own set of challenges. “The cycling industry, despite being active, can be surprisingly slow to innovate,” says Guilhem. “We had to rethink our approach and focus on creating the best experiences first, letting the brands come to us.”

Attracting the right clientele was another hurdle. Exclusive individuals, nevistravel.’s primary target audience, often have limited time to research and plan their holidays. Emma and Guilhem knew they had to create more than just a trip; they had to offer a seamless, hassle-free service where every aspect — from booking to the very last detail of the experience — was taken care of for them. “Our clients want the best, but they also want ease,” explains Emma. “We took care to design a service that not only meets their high standards but also respects their time. We handle all the logistics, so they can focus on enjoying the ride, connecting with others and recharging. And because we know their time is valuable, we’ve made ourselves available when it suits them — from initial inquiries to customising their every wish.

Expanding horizons

Looking ahead, Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze have big plans for nevistravel. “We’re expanding into new destinations like Tuscany and introducing multi-stage trips and itinerant triathlon camps,” says Guilhem. “We want to continue offering something unique and that means constantly innovating.”

Their vision doesn’t stop with bespoke cycling tours and triathlon camps. Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze are working on taking the cycling experience to the next level with bike concierge services, giving clients access to exclusive brands and the chance to test and purchase bikes and gear unavailable through traditional retail channels. “We want to disrupt the traditional cycling experience, making it easier and more enjoyable for our clients,” says Emma. But they’re not stopping there.

In addition to the bike concierge service, nevistravel. has plans to open physical cycling coffee places, designed to offer a space where clients can gather, chat and enjoy a premium coffee experience that ties into their passion for cycling. “It’s about creating a place where the cycling community can meet — whether they’re gearing up for a ride or winding down after one. We want our clients to feel part of a larger cycling family, where every visit is about more than just a great cup of coffee; it’s about the connections they make,” adds Guilhem. The future vision for nevistravel. is clear — to continue placing the client at the centre of every experience, ensuring that they’re not just taking a trip but becoming part of a greater, carefully crafted cycling lifestyle.

For both founders, cycling and triathlon are much more than just a sport — it’s a way of life. “Triathlon connects me with the world and with myself,” says Emma Bilham. “It’s been my life for over 10 years and it continues to be my passion.”

For Guilhem Lacaze, it’s the people they meet and the connections they make along the way that drive him. “The best part of what we do is meeting incredible people — our clients, our partners, everyone we work with. It’s those relationships that make this journey worthwhile.”

The journey continues

For Emma Bilham and Guilhem Lacaze, nevistravel. is more than just a business — it’s a passion project. As they look to the future, their commitment to providing exclusive, personalized cycling experiences remains stronger than ever. They’ve built something unique and their journey is far from over.

As Guilhem Lacaze puts it, “We’re always pushing ourselves to do more, to create something even better for our clients. This is just the beginning.”