On Sunday, October 20, Douglas Elliman’s Waverly Place office manager Max Dobens will set off on a 102.5 mile charity bike ride from New York City to Atlantic City ahead of the company’s annual ReInvent Convention.
Dobens is riding to raise money for God’s Love We Deliver, a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Dobens says he expects the journey will take him anywhere from 9 to 10 hours, and hopes his trek will inspire the agents he manages at Waverly Place in Greenwich Village to step outside their comfort zones.
ReInvent takes place from October 21 through the 23 at the Borgata Hotel and Casino, and is open to agents and managers from NYC, Westchester, Long Island, the Hamptons, and South Florida.
“The bike ride itself is a test of human strength – and to accomplish this in the name of charity is simply incredible. We are so proud of Max for doing this,” said Elliman president and CEO Dottie Herman.
“I feel that it is important to lead by example, and as the leader of the Waverly Place office, I need to show my sales agents that in order to be the best you can be in real estate, one needs to take chances both personally and professionally,” said Dobens, adding that he has come a long way since his first triathlon just one year ago when he didn’t think he would be able to swim the half-mile portion.
He is now a 4-time triathlete and says the only thing that stood in his way was his mental block. “The furthest I have ever ridden in one day is 47 miles so this trip is sort of my own tribute to the idea of reinvention, changing your thinking, and believing you can take on challenges and exceed your own expectations.”
Douglas Elliman has launched a company-wide call to action through social media urging others to support Max’s cause through a donation website. The money earned from the campaign will go directly to God’s Love We Deliver.
Dobens will begin his journey on October 20 at 8 a.m on the Upper East Side where he will head down 2nd Avenue to the 35th Street Ferry Terminal. From there, he will go by ferry to Highlands, NJ and pedal down the coastline to Seaside Heights, Bass River, Absecon, and finally Atlantic City.
Dobens says his only planned pit stop is for a quick peanut butter and jelly and Gatorade break in Point Pleasant with one of his agents who lives in the area.
Dobens has carefully planned his route to be on less trafficked, scenic roads and is as prepared as possible by carrying spare tire tubes, bike tools and a pump. He will wear a t-shirt with the Elliman ReInvent logo and hopes to photo-document his trip.
http://www.crowdrise.com/DontLetItHappenMAKEItHappen/fundraiser/maxdobens
