My Passion With Rob Hepworth

Rob Hepworth, associate at the Sheffield office of estate agent and property consultancy Knight Frank, on his passion for cycling and running.
Rob HepworthRob Hepworth
Rob Hepworth

I got my first bike aged two and cycling has been a love of mine ever since.

Today I enjoy road biking, mountain biking and competitive cycling and it’s a hobby that has taken me all over the world, including Canada as well as the French and Swiss Alps.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It’s also seen me travel from one end of Britain to the other when I cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats. But my hobby isn’t just limited to two wheels – I am a keen runner, too, and have competed in numerous races and events over the years.

In fact, 2013 is going to be a very active year for me. I am taking part in the Grizedale Duathlon in the Lake District and the Clumber Park Duathlon in Worksop, both this month.

June will be even busier, thanks to the Rother Valley Triathlon, the Hathersage Hilly Triathlon and I am also planning to go cycling in the Dolomites in Italy with 12 friends who are also fellow biking fans.

In between, I have signed up for the SIG Installations Sheffield Half Marathon again this year which takes place in May and also recently joined the Sheffield Triathlon Club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I enjoy running and getting out on my bike, it gives me freedom and the opportunity to think about things, or alternatively just clear my mind and get out of the city and into the countryside. Here in Sheffield we really are on the doorstep of the Peak District and there are some fantastic views to take in.

At the moment I get out on my bike every weekend and in the summer I’ll ride during the week as well.

But as well as being a good way to de-stress in my spare time, biking is becoming increasingly common in my work schedule, too – you could say it’s networking with a difference. Instead of taking clients out for coffee or on a golf trip, we are often now all getting out on our bikes instead.

This is a great way to do business – instead of just swapping the boardroom for a meal or a few drinks we can instead get out into the open air.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Looking ahead I don’t think my schedule of activities is likely to show any let up.

I am toying with the idea of the Helvellyn Triathlon which involves a one-mile swim in Ullswater, a 38-mile cycle including tackling the Kirkstone Pass and a nine-mile run up Helvellyn – at 3118ft, it’s England’s third highest peak.

And that might be very necessary preparation – another ambition is to take part in one of the Iron Man events in 2014.

The Iron Man triathlons take place all over the world and consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride and a marathon run – to be raced in order and without a break.

So all things considered, resting on my laurels may be a way off yet!

Related topics: