This is a ride Steve Norman and Shane Johnston are doing in June from Venice to Topsham for the Force Cancer charity in Exeter.
The Ride is the route in reverse that two cyclist’s (Nello Ghezzo and Marc Millon) did in 1997 to raise money for Cancer Research, (read their daily diary at http://www.rideforlife.org.uk/diary.html ). Sadly the following year Nello passed away with cancer, so in his memory Marc and a few friends started the Force Century Cycle Challenge (which was their training route around Exmoor) and has now grown every year, with this year 1,500 cyclists taking part, making it Force’s main fundraising event of the year.
They plan to fly out to Venice on Sunday 8th June, and then start the epic 1,150 mile challenge on Monday 9th which will include two of the toughest climbs over the Alps, Col du Galibier and Alpe d’ Huez, and then return to complete this year’s Century Challenge now known as the “Nello” on Sunday 29th June.
We’ve been out training a few times now. For details of what we’ve been up to, along with links to GPS files of our rides, please see our training page
Photos of our rides and what we’re up to are on this site and also our flick page (click on any of the photos in the flickr section on the right hand side for the link)
Well we’re at Gatwick. Managed to find the hotel and parking ok, which are only 200m apart, but well over a mile’s walk on main roads and through undergrowth! Having a quiet night with the aid of muscle relaxant (beer) before at 4am start tomorrow. We hope to start riding mid afternoon Sunday
your a fighter Shane, remember,winners never quit and quiters never win, but take care mum.xxx
Obviously your navigation skills are improving but not your time keeping skills!
Keep up the good work!
wow!!! hope you have a better day today,it sure sounds like tough going.. Don’t let yesterday take too much time from today. 90 miles is a long haul, is your time difference one hour behind here?
live mum.xxx
meant to say love mum.xxx
Hard day yesterday, Shane keep going!
Well done Shane for sticking with it, I feel bad now that I joked that your bike might break! Glad you are meeting nice people and I really enjoy reading your comments. Keep it up and don’t forget to eat lots of ice creams (otherwise why go to Italy?)
Mum: thanks, we’re getting there! Donna: we’ve taken a few wrong turns (and I’m in charge of navigating…) Polly: don’t ruminate about it, it’s happened a few times recently 😦 and I’m having more than my fair share of deserts 🙂
Keep going Shane don’t cry man up! Seriously what you are doing is totes amazin just think of that feeling of achievement at the end. Hope today has been a better day for you. Matt and Anna x
Glad it went better yesterday,that heat must be so draining,but the rest at the end of your ride is worth all the pain with the glorious views. remember.: Some people ,want it to happen,some wish it would happen.others make it happen.
love mum.xxx
Shane, Steve sounds like a true adventure. Trip of a lifetime. I just hope that the Italians don’t block roundabouts otherwise they will suffer the wrath of Shane. Thinking of you and hoping that you get back on schedule for the Nello. I may need help to push my bike up Dulverton Hill. I love the Family, Girls, Guys comments. keep pedalling xxx
Glad to hear to had a more restful day and it was fairly uneventful. Nice to hear your still in good spirit – keep it up.
Sorry Shane nearly spat my tea all over the screen, did we have a “I was wrong” and you have even typed it for all to see. Sending positive energy to you and your fellow rider.
Hi Shane,You two are really doing the Nelly proud, seen your pics. :remember: A word to the wise is unnecessary: keep smiling love mum.xxx
Friday morning,:the day of the alps! remember:::Life is not measured by each breath you take, but by breathtaking moments:
love mum.xxx.
Keep going Steve and Shane. very entertaining reading!!Karen
Important update: All of the links have been updated and are now fully working. The key features of the site are:
● Click on the large map on the main page to get a live map of our current location and speed (when riding)
● Completed days now have the daily reports on them along with links to the planned and actual routes
● Upcoming days have the original planned routes on the maps shown. To get the revised planned maps (from hotel door to hotel door) click on the map on that page or the ‘Garmin route’ link
● For a link to our uploaded pictures click on any of the images on the bottom right of the screen. This will take you to our Flickr page where all pictures have dates and times along with captions of what/where there are. As with this site you are able to leave comments there also
Glad you’re making good progress. Hope it gets a bit cooler as you climb higher. Enjoy the beautiful scenery if you can. Still amazed at what your doing! Steve – All well at knapp meadow. Will & Heather
Shane, Shane, are you okay? The map says you’ve expired! Hope you are having a fab time.
Thanks everyone, your kind words are helping us keep going. Shaz: I did think about you when writing it and the consequences it would bring! Adrian: Not yet, but we have some big climbs ahead of us, once we’re out of the alps it should get easier….
Enjoy your rest day – you deserve it! Take a leaf out of Ali’s book and put some brandy in your water bottle – France produces the best brandy after all!!
Keep going Shane, you’re on the home straight now (though hard to tell where you actually are). Back to Blighty and real life soon…