This annual event has raised around £1.5 million since its inception in 2000, supporting individuals affected by cancer in Devon. This year’s event aimed to raise an additional £127,500 to care for an expected increase of 150 cancer patients in 2026.
Honiton Spinners joined the colourful crowd of cyclists gathered at Topsham Rugby Club for what Kev called, ‘ No race, just a good bike ride.’ At this point, John realised that he’d forgotten to charge his bike’s battery and spent the entire ride successfully stretching out only 42% power. Unfortunately, cramp for the last 20 miles was his punishment. Plans for John, Kev, Lin, Chris, Jennie, Rob, Gayle, plus Rob’s brother and sister-in-law to ride the 60 miles together were scuppered by being separated at the start line. After stopping at nearly every traffic light in Exeter, the group were reunited at the banana stop in Tiverton. Here, they decided to ride in two groups and tackled the 3,786 feet of climb through beautiful West Country roads, passing through Nomansland, Morchard Road and Crediton on an increasingly warm day. Despite the sandwiches, savouries and cakes at the third food stop, the riders found room for an ice-cream back at Topsham, where, not content with her distance, Jennie cycled round the car park to reach 60 miles. Chris, meanwhile, was not content to ride 60 miles, so cycled to and from the start, clocking up over 100 miles!
Spinners were sorry that Mike Bowman was not well enough to join them, as this is one of his particular favourites, but were delighted to see him cheering them as they cycled through Exeter. Well done to everyone as there were some long, punchy climbs on the route.
