A Civic Engineer rides to MIPIM – preparing for the Club Peloton ride!
With less than 6 weeks to go, our London Director, Gareth Atkinson is growing accustomed to the gruelling training regime of early, cold starts and weekend training rides that are required to prepare for the Club Peloton Ride to MIPIM. Over 6 days from 7th – 12th March, he will be cycling alongside 200 other UK construction and property professionals on the established 1,000 mile ride which will see them in the saddle for up to 12 hours a day, and experiencing temperatures ranging from -7 to 20 degrees! Gareth will be riding the route to Cannes via Folkestone and will be tackling at least two 60 km stages each day.
The ride raises funds for Coram, which founded in 1739, is the UK’s oldest children’s charity. They help create stable, loving families for the UK’s most vulnerable children. Coram is the main beneficiary from Club Peloton fundraising but funds also go to Cyclist’s fighting cancer, Tom’s trust and Multiple system atrophy trust.
Not only does Gareth have to concentrate on the training, he has also committed to raise over £3,000 for charity but thankfully the rest of the Civic Engineers team can assist with that!
Here’s what Gareth had to say on his progress so far, “This will be the biggest cycle challenge that I have ever done and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m trying to train as hard as I can, generally 3 – 4 days a week, getting up at 0515 to cycle the 25 miles to work and then cycling back in the British winter weather and doing as many of the training rides at weekends as possible. It is challenging and exhausting at times but this is nothing compared to what I’ll experience during the six days. There’s no doubt that I’m physically fitter and stronger than I have been in a long time, I’m also got a great appetite so enjoying double portions”
“The Club Peloton ride is a brilliant way to meet a variety of other professionals in our industry and there is already a real sense of team and comradery amongst those I have met. Alongside the training, we’re working hard to raise the £3,000 for Coram and the other Club Peloton charities. Having 3 young children I know how important it is for kids to have a safe, permanent home and Coram does incredible work helping to create stable homes for vulnerable children.”