Thank you for all those who have entered to take part in the Road to Birmingham.

If you have been successful and won a place to represent a HSBC UK region, you will be contacted during the wk. 26th June 2017.
 
There will also be plenty of other ways for employees to get pedaling, get fit and raise money for the Alzheimer’s society.  Further info to follow here.
 
Happy cycling. 

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is there a minimum age for participation?

A. Applicants need to be 18+ years on entry.

Q. Is this available for HSBC UK permanent staff only?

A. Open to all HSBC UK staff who reside in the UK, including M&S bank and First Direct, who are employed up until 31 December 2017.

Q. What level of cycling do I need to have?

A. We are inviting all levels of cycling ability to take part. HSBC UK will provide you with training plans to complete, to enable you to ride consecutive days of 100k/day. The speed of the group, will be dictated by the participants of the group.

Q. Does it matter if I don’t own a bicycle?

A. It is recommended that you already own a bicycle however, all HSBC UK employees can purchase a discounted road bike through the Cycle to Work scheme.

Q. Do I need to be riding a road bicycle to take part?

A. It is recommended that you ride a road bike, to keep pace with the group. This is a team event, so the groups will be riding to support one another.

Q. What level of training will I be provided pre-event?

A. Through the new partnership HSBC UK will provide you with advice and training plans from British Cycling.

Q. How many people will be in each regional team?

A. There will be a maximum of 12 riders in each team of cyclists, led by 2 experienced ride leaders.

Q. How will the teams be selected?

A. A panel of judges, will select from a shortlist of applicants. Our aspiration is to create a mixed group of cyclists to represent and inspire their region, to get active, on their bike and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Q. How many consecutive days riding will the Road to Birmingham be?

The ride will be 2-3 days of cycling, depending on your start location.

Q. Will I be given the time off, by HSBC?

A. HSBC UK employees will need to take 3 days leave or volunteers day, to take part in the ride (at their manager’s discretion). Dates TBC during the week of 25th September.

Q. What length of ride will it be each day?

A. The length of the start location will vary, depending on which regional peloton you’re in. This will vary between 80k – 140k/day.

Q. What are the start locations for the departure of the ride?

A. A team will set out from 4 HSBC UK office locations and end in Birmingham, the new home of HSBC UK. Start locations include: London, Scotland, Cardiff and Sheffield.

Q. What level of support will I receive during the supported ride?

A. Each team, will be supported by experienced ride leaders and support vehicles, to help with any mechanicals, keep you fuelled for the days ride, carry your luggage and give you a lift if you need a little time out. The overnight stays will be at hotels close to the route and you’ll be provided with all meals.

Q. Do I need to pay any of the food, accommodation, travel and bicycle support costs associated with the ride?

A. Costs associated with the ride, will be covered by HSBC UK including your accommodation, travel, cycle support, F&B. Bicycles or spare parts will not be provided however, discounts will be available for HSBC UK employees through the British Cycling partnership.

Q. How much money do I have to pledge to raise for the Alzheimer’s society

A. Each member of the group ride, will be asked to raise a minimum of £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society, with HSBC UK matching pound to pound to a maximum of £1,000.

Q. Will there be any other commitments, to representing my region in the ride?

A. HSBC UK will be championing the participants in the group rides, to inspire HSBC employees across the UK to get active, get on their bike and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. HSBC would use your name and image, to champion you in internal communications. HSBC UK would also ask you to document your journey through video content, to be used in internal communications. HSBC UK will provide you with the tools and the knowledge to enable this.

Q. If I don’t want to take part in the cycle ride, are there other ways in which I can support my regional team?

A. Yes, each team will be competing to raise the most for the Alzheimer’s Society. Fundraising within the regions, will be valuable support for your team. There will also be a range of cycling activities for HSBC UK staff in the month of September. Keep an eye out here for further information.

Q. When will I know if I’ve been successful?

A. Any successful applicants, will be notified wk. 26th June and asked to confirm their place in their regional cycle team that week.