Outside interest: endurance bike riding

London-based CBRE associate director Rachel Ferguson is a keen cyclist and often takes part in the CBRE and property industry bike rides and triathlons. This year she is helping to organise the charitable annual CBRE bike ride across Europe. 

How did you get into cycling?

I've always enjoyed cycling and ride to work every day, so when someone suggested I take part in a longer, more serious bike ride I thought 'why not?' When I did a ride across the Alps I lasted four days then fell and broke my arm on the fifth, but it was one of the best trips I have ever done. The next year I rode from Madrid to Lisbon.

What does it involve?

I soon realised I had to up my game and put in a lot of training if I was to take this level of cycling seriously. In the early months of the year I'm putting in 30 or 40 miles a day, then building up to 50 or 60 miles and finally I'll spend a whole day cycling every weekend. 

Why do you do it?

I love being outdoors. Cycling is a great way of seeing the countryside and all those in-between places you often miss or don't notice using other forms of transport. There's a great group of people I train with and we meet up at weekends.

What’s the toughest thing about it?

Cycling uphill is never easy; the toughest ride was a 1,200m climb in the Pyrenees that involved a 14km solid uphill ride - only to each the top and find the weather so wet and bad we couldn't see the views.

What’s the most rewarding thing about it?

It's all about completing, not competing, and finishing a big ride is always a great achievement – there are lots of people and different levels and everyone finishes in their own way. I also enjoy raising money for charity. Last time I did a property ride we got match funding from government and amassed 100,000 euros.

Are there any similarities between your day job and your outside interest?

Endurance: you have a route and time of destination and there are hurdles, highs and lows on the way to achieving planning permission as well as when completing a bike ride.

Do you have any unusual interests or hobbies that you would like to tell us about? If so, please email planning@haymarket.com