Ride for Life

cycling and food in aid of cancer research in association with FORCE

The FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

For further information about this annual century cycle challenge in aid of the FORCE cancer support charity, please visit the FORCE web site.

This web site is an archive that traces the origins of the ride to Marc and Nello's original cycle from Topsham to Venice in 1997, the subsequent Nello Century Cycle Challenge rides that began in 2000 and which continue as the annual Force Century Cycle Challenge, as well as other related fundraising events.

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The 12th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

will take place on Sunday June 26th, 2011

Nearly 1000 cyclists this year!

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The 9th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

took place on Sunday June 29th, 2008

Nearly 600 people started from the Force Cancer Support Centre on this year's challenge rides: the original 100 mile 'Nello', the 55 mile and a new 21 mile 'anniversary ride' that commemorated Force's 21 years of cancer work for our local community. When the Nello Century Cycle Challenge began in 2000, our original goal was to assist in raising funds for a newly proposed Force Cancer Support Centre. So it was particularly satisfying to see the Centre yesterday, such an imaginatively and sensitively designed building, and with its lovely now mature plantings providing an oasis of care in our community. Cyclists were even treated to breakfast in the centre courtyard - superb kedgeree! - before setting off. It was once again a great day, and the epic and now classic route over the roof of Exmoor is one that always inspires, no matter how many times you ride it. The support throughout was absolutely fantastic, and the tradition of supplying terrific foods to sustain the riders continues - this must be the best supported ride anywhere in the country! Afterwards, the music and party atmosphere at Topsham Rugby Club gave a real big sporting event feel to the day, and gave recognition to all the cyclists' achievements. A huge thanks to all at Force for such a terrific day out, to all the sponsors who supported the ride once again, and to all the cyclists who continue to turn out in huge numbers. It is particularly satisfying for us that an event born out of grief at the loss of a friend has grown and evolved and has now become a regular and much enjoyed feature of the Exeter and Topsham sporting scene. Let's hope that all the efforts of everyone results once again in a fantastic amount of money raised for Force.

For further information and details about the 2009 ride contact

Roger Duggan roger@forcecancercharity.co.uk
FORCE Cancer Charity
www.forcecancercharity.co.uk

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The Ride for Life Festa di San Martino

Friday November 17, 2006

Michael Caines at ABode Exeter

An evening of great wines, great food and friendship

with all proceeds to the Ride for Life Fund in association with FORCE.

For further information, contact Marc Millon tel 01392 873778 or email marc@vino.co.uk

The Festa menu and wines

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The 8th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

will take place on Sunday June 24th, 2007

For further information contact

Roger Duggan roger@forcecancercharity.co.uk
FORCE Cancer Charity
www.forcecancercharity.co.uk

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The 6th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

Sunday June 25th, 2006

More than 300 cyclists took part in this year's Force Century Cycle Challenge.

Good weather on the day and on Topsham Quay for the party afterwards made it a particularly enjoyable event.

So far the fundraising total has reached a massive £31,188.20 and counting!!!

For photographs click here

Well done to everyone!

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The 6th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

Sunday June 26th, 2005

STOP PRESS 2005 ride raises over £20,000 for FORCE. Well done everyone!

Congratulations to everyone who completed the century, half century and family rides. It was an absolutely brilliant day, with near perfect conditions for cycling: sunny but mainly cool, with a light easterly that even helped in some stretches and rarely seemed to hinder. Most everyone, I think, got around, and the scenes at the finish on Topsham Quay were mainly joyous! FORCE once again organised the day brilliantly: the stops were well manned and offered really delicious and sustaining homemade foods to the cyclists, and the welcome back on Topsham Quay, with the jazz band and children's entertainer, really made this into a very special event.

Please make sure you get your sponsorship to FORCE as soon as possible, for the money raised from this important event continues to make a real difference to patients' and their families' lives.

Special thanks to Roger Bishop, Carolyne Randall, Roger Duggan, Mervyn Hughes and Meriel Fishwick for arranging such a great day - and for keeping this important event going in the true spirit of Nello!

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The 5th FORCE Century Cycle Challenge
(formerly 'The Nello')

Sunday June 27th, 2004

13/10/04 This year's Force Century Cycle Challenge was a huge success and the funds raised for FORCE are still coming in. The fund total this year has now reached £12,000 which is a magnificent achievement. Well done to all who made this such a great event.

May 2004 We are delighted that FORCE have taken over the organisation and running of this great event, begun in honour of Nello Ghezzo and known formerly as 'The Nello'. The century cycle challenge comprises a testing hundred mile cycle from Topsham Quay over the roof of Exmoor and back; a 55-mile route through mid-Devon (sharing two of the support stops with the century cyclists); and a Family Fun Ride.

The rides will take place on Sunday June 27th and immediately afterwards there will be a huge communal party at the finish on Topsham Recreation Ground, with food, music and entertainment.

All proceeds go to the FORCE Cancer Support Centre Appeal.It is hoped that this imaginative and important centre will open in early July. We visited the site recently and were impressed by how quickly the dream is becoming reality!

So now is the time to get training and to build up some miles in your legs in order to complete the challenge. We'll be there of course (on the tandem again) and look forward to seeing you and riding with you once more!

To request an entry form for the FORCE Century Cycle Challenge 2004 email Caro or Meriel at info@forcecancercharity.co.uk

The 4th Nello Century Cycle Challenge Proceeds Report

The 4th Nello Century Cycle Challenge Ride Report

The 4th Nello Pasta Feast Menu

 


Our Mission

3rd Nello Century Cycle Challenge raises £16,000

3rd Nello Century Cycle Challenge Ride Report

The 2nd Nello Memorial Century Cycle Challenge

The Ride for Life Topsham-Venice 1997 Trip Diary

Feeling hungry?

The 1st Nello Memorial Century Cycle Challenge July 2nd, 2000:
'Official' Ride Report and Nello Pasta Feast Menu

 



Please send any comments about this web site or Ride for Life to:
marc@quaypress.com