Birmingham architect prepares for Cannes cycle challenge

A BIRMINGHAM architect has signed up to take part in the annual 1,500km charity bike ride ‘Cycle to Cannes’ that coincides with this year’s MIPIM property conference.

Marcus Wilkins, studio director at Aedas started training for the annual trek at Christmas.  The six-day ride is set to attract around 100 cyclists from the UK property industry who will complete the challenge and raise £250,000.

All funds raised will support charities including children’s charity Coram which receives two-thirds of the money raised, Article 25, Tom’s Trust, the Multiple System Atrophy Trust and the Emthonjeni Trust.  

This year, for the first time, the organisers are running not just the six-day original ride but also a four-day non-stop chase ride.  The route starts on Sunday March 4 at City Hall in London and winds its way through Burgundy, the Rhone Valley and finishes in the Cote d’Azur at Cannes on March 7.

Mr Wilkins said: “This is an amazing charity venture and I am delighted to be part of it for the first time.  I’ve lost a stone since Christmas through all the training which is great for the diet but my fitness levels are also at an all-time high which is great for the heart too!

“The benefits continue; the cycle ride provides MIPIM delegates with an attractive alternative to flying and helps to promote cycling and sustainable transport.”

Since 2006, the initiative, which is sponsored by Aedas, has raised more than £1million for charities in the UK and abroad.

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