Interview with Baptiste Frérot, Co-Founder of Planet Ride

Baptiste Frérot is one of Planet Ride’s co-founders. Alongside Alex Zurcher and Clément Desmousseaux, he serves as the company’s Managing Director—focused on what matters most in an agency like ours: building a model that’s solid over time, and ensuring every decision protects the quality and reliability of the motorized adventures we select and support. An adventure lover with a natural leadership style, Baptiste is no stranger to entrepreneurship. He already brings three years of hands-on experience across multiple projects. Here’s our conversation with him—straight, personal, and true to the Planet Ride mindset: high standards, human commitment, and a rider’s view of the road.

“What do you do for a living when you’re at work?”

I always start the day with one to three coffees, while I review the key topics I need to stay focused on. My to-do list and my calendar are easily the tools I rely on the most—without them, it’s too easy to lose sight of the big priorities. After lunch, I usually take a short “digestion break” to scan industry news—travel, tourism, and new technologies. That overview is often refreshing, especially when Excel (my faithful sidekick) has been open for a little too long. The most energizing part of my work is meeting with the team and with the wider network that surrounds Planet Ride. There are so many genuinely passionate people—across so many fields—and I’m lucky to interact with them regularly.

“What do you do in your free time?”

I take apart L’Équipe on my terrace, I garden, and I look after my plants—while trying to figure out the right balance of water, sunlight, and soil mix for each one. In spare moments, I paint messy patches of color on canvases (you should try it—it clears your head). More than anything, my partner and I love dreaming up our next trip to the other side of the world. And we love putting the world to rights with friends over a proper meal.

“What do you ride every day?”

Royal Enfield—when it gets you, it gets you.

“Why did Planet Ride tempt you?”

The fact that my close friend Alex Zurcher—founder of Vintage Rides, and someone I already share a great entrepreneurial adventure with—was initiating the project was already a major trigger. It made me feel, immediately, that Planet Ride had the potential to become something meaningful. Then I met the other people involved in the start-up. Once you feel their drive and their passion, there’s no doubt left about the team’s ability to make it happen. And finally, how could you not fall in love with the idea itself: road trips all over the world, built by true specialists who know their terrain—adventures Planet Ride is determined to bring to riders in a way that’s rigorous, human, and well supported?

“Why do you think Planet Ride will resonate with riders?”

Road trips are clearly a growing travel trend. People need to step away from daily life—often exciting, but frequently stressful—and the appetite for freedom keeps growing. There’s something powerful about exploring remarkable destinations while staying the main actor in your own adventure. Planet Ride—while rooted in tech like any modern company—aims to carry that emotion: the feeling of being a free traveler, without unnecessary constraints. At the same time, we believe freedom works best when it’s prepared properly. You don’t want an adventure that’s “DIY at all costs.” You want autonomy, yes—but with structure: clear planning, realistic pacing, and the reassurance that a serious team is there when needed.

“Where do you see Planet Ride in two years?”

I see Planet Ride becoming the go-to name online for motorized adventure—with a growing community of Planet Riders. A start-up full of promise, constantly searching for the best specialists and the most compelling road trips.

“Your favorite travel experience?”

A new destination. Landscapes I’ve never seen. Adventure. A good dose of doing nothing. Unusual encounters…

“Where was your last road trip?”

A loop through Italy—Tuscany and Piedmont—with my sweetheart. We traveled by car, with a tent in the trunk and a travel guide in my pocket. That kind of trip teaches you something simple: good travel isn’t about overcomplication. It’s about choosing the right roads, the right rhythm, and leaving space for the unexpected.

“What do you wish for Planet Ride?”

To find a viable model—for us and for all the local specialists we work with—while continuing to make riders dream, and bringing real joy to the team. Above all, I wish Planet Ride the ability to keep moving forward, bouncing back from the challenges ahead, with one constant priority: the quality of what we deliver and the experiences we help make possible. I’m hoping for a great journey for Planet Ride—driven by a web platform that’s both friendly and innovative, but always backed by what truly counts: field expertise, careful selection, and serious support.