A new course and some stunning summer sunshine helped attract a bumper field for this year’s World’s Biggest Property Bike Ride organised by CBRE.
The added competition ensured not only the largest-ever total raised for charity Shelter, but also the best-ever performance in the main race by a Property Week rider.
The cyclists raised £46,717 for Shelter - by far the largest amount generated by the event to date and £10,000 more than the pre-event target for the ride, which was supported by Property Week.
CBRE UK managing director Ciaran Bird - who came 46th on the PW Power 100 last week - said: “This year proved to be another rousing success for CBRE’s World’s Biggest Property Bike Ride, helping us massively exceed our fundraising goal for Shelter.
“Our partnership with Shelter is especially important to the company and CBRE employees, showing what a massive difference, as an industry, we can make towards an important cause. Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated - the day wouldn’t have been such a success without your support.”
Riders arrived at the new start point of Sandown Park racecourse already buoyed by bright skies, in contrast to last year’s flood-affected course.
More than 700 Lycra-clad riders made it to the start line in Esher for the new and improved 50km and 100km courses taking in Box Hill, Abinger Hammer and Leith Hill.
Great winning time
The twists and turns of the event were so dramatic that the chip system couldn’t keep up with the names of riders, but the winning times saw a stunning two hours flat set for the 50km and an even more remarkable twohours and five minutes for the 100km.
Property Week web editor Richard Hook (pictured with medal) registered a strong time of two hours and 14 minutes - and a place in the top 10.
Speaking after the race, Graeme Brown, interim chief executive at Shelter, said: “Once again, CBRE and its staff have shown us incredible support by jumping on their bikes and enduring a tough cycle, all in the name of fighting bad housing and homelessness. We are delighted that CBRE has managed to raise almost £50,000 - a fantastic amount that will ensure Shelter continues to give housing support and advice to thousands of families who need it most.”
Buoyed by the success of this year’s event, the organisers intend to further expand the race in 2018.
Malcolm Dalgleish, chairman of EMEA retail at CBRE, concluded: “CBRE’s World’s Biggest Property Bike Ride has grown to be widely recognised across the industry, and generates huge levels of interest beyond just our employees. This year’s ride was another memorable event, thanks to some good weather and new challenging routes, which were whole heartedly embraced by riders.
“More importantly, with the help of our charity partner Shelter, the event brought awareness towards the issue of homelessness in the UK, while raising sizeable levels of donations for the cause.
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