Cycle to Mipim 2026: What a ride!

But, as an avid cyclist, I thought why fly when I can take part in what promised to be one of the biggest adventures of my life. How right I was.

Cycle to Mipim is an annual event where professionals from across the property sector ride to the conference. It started 20 years ago when architect Peter Murray and a group of fellow keen cyclists from the property sector decided to ride to Mipim, and it has since grown into a major fundraising event, raising more than £5m for charity.

The event is now overseen by charity Club Peloton, which arranges industry-connected fundraising cycle rides throughout the year. Sponsored this year by headline partner Knight Frank, the ride covered around 1,350km and riders could take part in a six-day version, starting in London, or a four-day version, which started in Blois in northern France.

I signed up for the four-day version, fearing I might not have the legs to propel me all the way to Cannes. The ride takes the form of a relay, where riders are required to ride a minimum of 120km a day, but some chose to pedal all stages and cover up to 300km in a day.

With the encouragement of the riders around me, I made it to the top of every climb despite moments of doubt

It’s not just the distance that is the challenge. The French weather can be very changeable at this time of year, with riders experiencing everything from heavy rain and freezing cold to hot summer temperatures, sometimes all in the same day. Also in the way are some major mountains rising up to 1,000m.

As Club Peloton warns participants, this is far from a leisurely ride to the south of France, but a real physical and mental endurance test.

This year, the ride started at Battersea Power Station and headed to Portsmouth for an overnight ferry crossing to France.

Day three of the ride, the point at which I joined in Blois, proved to be the best day of this year’s ride weather wise. After a cold start, the sun came out as the peloton travelled along relatively flat terrain to the lunch stop at Château Fer in the Loire Valley.

An impressive operation

What is highly impressive about the ride is the level of organisation. On the French roads, a lead car travels ahead of the peloton with motorbike outriders who clear the route ahead. Cycle mechanics and a medic follow in vans behind the riders, while two sports injury therapists are available at stops to assist with aches and pains. It’s an impressive, almost military-style, operation.

Sixty riders signed up this year, ranging from super-fit semi-professional cyclists to time-pressured parents who had only taken up cycling fairly recently, but wanted to take part in a major challenge.

However, the spirit of the peloton is that regardless of ability, participants must support each other and keep together. So, fast riders are discouraged from racing off and everyone is expected to show understanding for riders struggling to keep pace.

I had some low moments on days five and six as the ride headed into the mountains amid wet and cold conditions. Steep hills have always been my nemesis as a cyclist and there were points when it felt like my legs and lungs would give up.

However, with the riders around me offering encouragement, I made it to the top of every climb despite having moments of doubt. By the end of the ride, I had also beaten a series of personal bests in terms of length of hills climbed and distance ridden.

What was particularly striking about the ride was the camaraderie. As more than one participant pointed out, you don’t just make industry contacts on the Cycle to Mipim but industry friends. After spending several days collectively battling the terrain and the elements together, you can’t help but form strong bonds with fellow riders.

Half way through the final day of the ride, as I was shivering from the wet and cold, I vowed never to put myself through such a formidable challenge again. But as the aches in my legs subsided and the sun shone on my face as the peloton entered Cannes, I had a rethink. After all, I now have new-found confidence in my ability – and a whole series of personal bests to improve on.