OCBC Cycle: Let's talk cycling

OCBC Cycle: Let's talk cycling

The 2015 OCBC Cycle will be all about the people and how much they can get out of one of Singapore's iconic sports events.

Those who sign up in any of the six categories will be able to join activities ranging from photography tours to cafe bike crawls from next month, as the excitement builds to the main event on Aug 29 and 30.

"We... want to make OCBC Cycle really different from other sporting events," said Koh Ching Ching, OCBC's head of group corporate communications, at the launch of the event's corporate ride registration at the Shimano Cycling World yesterday.

"We decided that it should not be a one-weekend activity.

"Why don't we give them activities that can keep them engaged throughout that waiting period?"

The activities will cost participants a "nominal" fee, except for the injury management talk, with the money collected there donated to charity.

OCBC has lined up 17 corporate partners - or "Friends of OCBC" - for this year's mass-participation event.

The two-day, 9,000-capacity cycling event will start and end at the new National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub, although the route has not been finalised yet.

Companies may sign up for The Business Times Cycle of Hope Corporate Bike Ride, or the Corporate Bike Ride, with minimum teams of five and 15, respectively.

CHARITIES

More than half of the registration fees in the charity corporate ride will be donated to the event's four chosen charities - Singapore Children's Society, SportCares, TRUEfund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

Said Koh: "We felt that companies these days have an increasing desire to do good and give back to society.

"It is a compelling proposition for them, it gives the company a chance to do good, and it helps them in team bonding."

Participants who register for either corporate ride can choose to cycle in what has been christened the The Straits Times Ride (around 23km) and the Sportive Ride (42km), and there are only 1,000 slots available in total.

Registration for the corporate rides kicked off yesterday, while the general public can sign up in person at the OCBC Centre on March 9, and online from March 10.

Discounts and priority registration are available for OCBC card holders and Straits Times All-in-One package subscribers.

Other than the two distances, there are also four children's categories, but no professional criterium, a departure from the event last year, when the bank teamed up with Spectrum Worldwide.

sayheng@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Feb 10, 2015.
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