A TEAM of nine cyclists from Colliers International’s Birmingham office followed the paths of professional Tour de France champions on the 237-mile Way of the Roses challenge, from Morecombe to Bridlington, raising £3,235 for charity.

The Way of the Roses is Colliers’ eighth annual charity cycle challenge, raising money for Cancer Research UK and The North West Children’s Support Group.

Since Colliers, a commercial real estate company, started supporting the charities in 2005, the national team has raised more than £132,000.

Participants cycled for three days, travelling from coast to coast across England, through the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales.

David Smeeton, head of Birmingham office, Colliers International, said: “The team trained hard in preparation for the event and their efforts were well rewarded as they raised £3,235, to be split between Cancer Research UK and The North West Children’s Support Group.

"Bradley Wiggins and the rest of the Tour de France competitors will be completing this exact route in their first few stages. It was, therefore, a massive accomplishment for all those involved.”

The team averaged 12.5 miles an hour during the cycle ride and burned, on average, 4,000 calories.

Conditions were tough as the cyclists battled hail and heat.