Last month saw the latest instalment of one of our favourite interagency traditions. Some say it’s one of the world’s most gruelling endurance events. Some say it’s a chance to see cycling’s strongest all-round riders battle it out over varied terrain. Others may say it is the fourth of cycling’s three Grand Tours, behind the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, and the Tour De France. It is of course: Tour UNLIMITED.
Tour is one of the best things about UNLIMITED. It’s such a great way to meet new colleagues across the group – sharing the pain of riding up hills… and the pleasure of getting together for a good laugh. The organising and support team do an epic job making the experience fun and keep you motivated along the way.
Joe, TMW
Taking place annually in the (sometimes) sunny month of May, Tour UNLIMITED sees members from across all our agencies don their best lycra to cycle over 150 miles between our Winchester and London offices. And we do it all in the name of charity. Though the inevitable bonds formed over pints and steep inclines are certainly an added bonus.
This was my first year as part of the support crew on Tour and what a weekend it was with a great bunch of people from across UNLIMITED! As support, you follow the riders’ route, finding pit stop locations along the way to be on hand with essentials and motivational support when they ask ‘how much further until the pub’ – the riders are very happy to see you at every pit stop!
Tilly, UNLIMITED
This year, our cycling heroes received a heart-warming send off in Winchester. Swiftly followed by the first fall of the weekend as everyone watched on sympathetically (trying not to laugh). After a sunny stop in Petersfield to refuel and have a drink with one of the locals, our CMO Nikki McCulloch, day one ended beneath the Gothic spires of Chichester cathedral.
Day two was marked by hills, hills, and then a few more hills. Who knew the South Downs had so many ups? The lunchtime stop at Hascombe provided some much-needed rest and relief (and surprisingly delicious coronation chickpea sandwiches). A few hours later, our peloton pros reached Dorking for the last overnight stop and a memorable evening after stumbling across Dorking’s only nightclub.
One of my favourite moments from Tour was arriving to the tune of Barbie Girl blasting over a speaker. We’d cycled 65 miles. We were giddy. The sun was shining and there were guys in their 30s and 40s singing Barbie Girl at the top of their lungs as we sped down a hill. It was totally euphoric.
Victoria, Nelson Bostock
Battling dehydration (courtesy of both the hot weather and the antics of night before), the Tour team climbed the notorious Box Hill, before cruising through Richmond Park, and expertly navigating the busy London traffic – finally putting their feet up in our Soho office. Greeted with stacks of pizza and refreshing beverages (hair of the dog anyone?), our cyclists ended the afternoon exhausted but happy.
The weekend wouldn’t have been the same without our small but mighty support crew. Always on hand to keep the spirits and energy levels up with Brookies (that’s biscuit cookies in case you’re unfamiliar) and rousing tunes from the support vehicles kindly provided by our clients at Ford.
This marks my fifth year with TMW and my fourth tour, and let me tell you, it’s like a fine wine—only getting better with age. The routes are so well-planned. The vibe is through the roof! Picture this: we’re approaching a killer hill climb and Spandau Ballet starts blasting. Tony Hadley’s vocals hit me harder than the incline. Nothing sums up Tour better than a musical pep talk from the 80s!
Lucas, TMW
With donations still trickling in, this year’s Tour managed to raise almost £2,500 for our charity partner The Prince’s Trust. If you’d like to show your support, you can click here to access our fundraiser page.
While we say farewell to Tour for now, we’ve all returned with an immense sense of achievement and pride – and all for a great cause. Till next year!
