We talk all things cycling with Mike Jones, Managing Director of Mourant Consulting
Mike Jones is no stranger to a challenge. As the Managing Director of our global specialist consulting business, Mourant Consulting, his career has been forged around evaluating and mitigating risk. But outside the office, Mike is an avid cyclist and perhaps at his most thrill-seeking when on two wheels, which made him the natural choice to be our appointed spokesperson in opening Jersey Hospice Care's Tour de Jersey – an annual fundraising event which Mourant has been proud headline sponsor of for the last two years.
The 2025 race recently raised over £16,000 to support Jersey Hospice Care's valuable work in delivering support, care, advice and symptom management to patients on the island with advanced life-limiting conditions.
Here, we catch up with Mike to reflect on his cycling endeavours and hear what the Tour de Jersey means to him.
Can you tell us a bit more about the Tour de Jersey?
The Tour de Jersey is a great community event which I have been entering since my twenties. Over the years it has evolved to become much more inclusive, offering different routes for different levels of cyclists. It now caters to those looking for a competitive endurance challenge, as well as families just hoping for a pleasant day out on bikes taking in the island's beautiful scenery. Most importantly, it raises money for a worthwhile cause and one whose work touches so many of us in Jersey.
Why did Mourant choose to sponsor the Tour de Jersey?
Our headline sponsorship was a natural fit – the Tour de Jersey is an inclusive event with routes to suit every ability, aligning perfectly with our firm’s strong commitment to inclusion. Cycling is also great for mental health and wellbeing, and is a good way to get outside, see the island, and spend time with family and friends; so it ticks a lot of boxes.
As a firm, we look at these events and think what we can offer besides sponsorship? We like to support charities not just financially, but also through volunteering, participation, or in many cases, using our network and position to spread awareness and highlight their cause.
My family has experienced first-hand the important work that Jersey Hospice carries out, and how it supports local families, so personally for me it's also a great way to give back.
Is cycling a popular sport at the firm?
As a firm we are very sports-orientated, with members from across our global offices playing an active part in numerous sports clubs, from netball and rugby to padel corporate leagues, so I like to think there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
We have a large number of cyclists in Mourant's Jersey office – both competitive racers and those who cycle for pleasure or to be more environmentally friendly. This year, our Channel Islands offices hosted a competition to promote sustainable travel during Better Journeys Week, which took place on 19-23 May. To encourage as many colleagues as possible to dust off their bikes, our Jersey Environmental Network arranged for a representative from Jersey Employment Trust to visit the office and carry out standard checks and basic maintenance. The service was offered free of charge, and the firm also covered small parts and repairs.
As well as fantastic representation from team members who took part in the various routes on the Tour de Jersey this year, Team Mourant also regularly participates in the Prosperity Day challenge, an annual fast-paced virtual cycling challenge where corporate rivals go head to head to head in aid of local charities. As a firm, we have won the challenge a total of four times and this year we raised over £2,000 for the very worthy recipient charities, Macmillan Cancer Support and Kezia’s Fund.
How did you take up competitive cycling?
My cycling career started quite late, around my mid-thirties. Like many, I felt inspired after watching Bradley Wiggins win the Tour and the cycling events at the London Olympics and thought I’d give it a go. The introduction of Strava found me racing with friends around Jersey and before I knew it, I was purchasing carbon fibre bikes and signing up for some of the world’s most grueling routes. It’s fair to say it’s an addictive hobby to have.
What are some of the cycling challenges you have taken part in?
Long distance, multi day races and mountains are what draws me and so far, I have participated in Race Across Portugal, a few of the Haute Route race series in the Alps, Pyrenees and Dolomites, and Taiwan King of the Mountain race, to name but a few.
What has been the highlight of these races?
One of the things I enjoy the most about cycling is the places it takes you to and the scenery you get to enjoy. It’s a beautiful way to see a foreign country and explore some of those less trodden paths. Last year doing 'Race across Portugal' was the perfect example as we raced across 800km of the country from north to south, discovering a real variety of what the region offers.
What are your proudest cycling career highlights?
There was a lot at stake for the Mourant team in this year’s Prosperity Day event having won the previous three years. We had a strong team which featured myself, Jon Woolrich and Jonny Amy. Jon has previously cycled in the Island Games and Jonny is a talented triathlete, so there were high expectations for us to do well. I’m pleased to say we were victorious and won the event, raising lots of money for two very worthy causes.
Another pinch-me moment was cycling with one of the Tour de France winners, Vincenzo Nibali, in Taiwan. At one point I ended up ahead of Nibali and he tapped me very politely on the shoulder to ask me to move out of the way so he could pass. He ended up winning that race, somewhat unsurprisingly!
Any nail-biting moments?
Probably every mountain descent I have ever done especially in the rain – travelling downhill at up to 98km per hour can certainly put you on edge! The risk is not that I will hurt myself, but more whether I will take out other people through lack of control.
Another mistake I made was in the Italian Dolomites, where I got the clothing wrong and didn’t wear anything over my base layer as the start was so hot. The race quickly reached up into the snowy mountains and I had to stop as I was getting hypothermic. A friendly motorbike rider offered me his seat, jacket and the chance to hold onto his warm handlebars which really saved my bacon. It just goes to show how important preparation is in these races. It’s not uncommon for me to be seen taking a dip in an alpine cow bath at times of extreme heat too!
And finally, do you have any big rides lined up?
I’m waiting for my next opportunity to land, something that will whet my appetite enough to get me back on a training schedule. Maybe it will align with my upcoming 50th birthday when I move into the 'Super Vet' category and unlock a brand-new wave of competitive options? I feel I have more challenges left in me yet, although leisurely bike packing around France and a nice beer at lunch is also becoming increasingly attractive!
