Virgins and Veterans out in FORCE

Yes we're back, bigger, better, meaner and leaner and with a new line up and more mad volunteers to take on the challenge to help raise money for the FORCE Cancer Charity.

Last year eleven Axminster Tool Centre employees took up the FORCE Cycling Challenge and completed a 55 mile charity ride through the gloriousDevon countryside. The ‘Posse’ of riders raised over £2,200 for this worthy cause. The original eleven has grown to twenty-six for the 2009 event, representing well over 12.5% of the Axminster based workforce and even includes the company’s managing director Ian Styles. This is a great team effort for a very worthy cause and is supported by the company. Most of the original Posse riders, now pedal hardened veterans, have lifted their sights this year and opted for the 100 mile challenge. No less a challenge is the 55 mile ride especially when it’s your first time.

Both rides start from Topsham rugby club on the 28^th June, head out to Tiverton where the two groups diverge. The 55 milers riding up Long Drag hill (there’s a clue in the name) and then across mid-Devon returning via Crediton. The 100 mile route continues from Tiverton to Dulverton then acrossExmoor before turning south to rejoin the 55 mile, returning to Topsham later the same (hopefully) day.

Over the next few weeks the ‘Posse’ will be taking to the lanes ofEast Devon in preparation for another gruelling day out. The training regime is designed to turn new riders into finely tuned athletes. Consisting of the tricky combination of pedalling whilst trying to breathe and laugh at the same time. Occasionally small groups of riders will get lost in the lanes around Axminster. Those extra miles spent trying to find the way home all help with the training programme.

How did we get involved? Well, it was largely down to the 'Silver Fox' (Tone Whitehurst) and his inspiration which made us want to follow him into the challenge - Tone overcame a battle with cancer and set himself a goal to try and re-pay FORCE for the wonderful support they provided to him and his family during his illness. Upon recovery he began cycling to work and was joined by Laurie and Darren, here follows Tone's recount from last years ride: 

'Two and a half years ago I took up cycling. I was in pretty poor shape, so bad that I used to go out after dark to avoid any embarrassment. Whilst riding to work with Laurie and Darren, we got the idea to join the FORCE Cycle Challenge. I'm pretty sure Laurie is to blame. For me the FORCE ride worked on several levels. During and after my illness I had a great deal of help from FORCE and they gave tremendous support to my wife and daughter. As a cancer patient you are the focus of a team doctors and specialists. The family of the patient go through just as tough time FORCE is there for them as well. The cycle challenge is a great opportunity to repay them in a small way. I enjoy the training rides after work with a super bunch of people. Having a great laugh, getting lost and seeing parts ofEast Devon I would never have found any other way, but mainly the laughter. The ride last year went by so quickly, seeing a line of riders in front all wearing the company shirts makes you feel very proud to be associated with such a great bunch of people. Riding into the finish as a group is quite emotional.'  

We have set ourselves a tough target to raise but FORCE is such a worthy charity to support we all hope our efforts will inspire others to join and also donate to spur us on - so if you can contribute and help please do so. 

Our confirmed line up this year (with obligatory cycling nicknames and distance to be ridden) is as follows:

 55 - Andy Cross - Super Mario

 55 - Andy Thomas - Mr T

 55 - Antony Jempson - Enna

 55 - Dave M Jones - Locker

 55 - Ian Daley - Gadget

 55 - Ian Styles - Capt Nemo

 55 - Lawrie Poole - The Grinch

 55 - Matt Dimond - Staffy

 55 - Ed Cruwys - Spud

 55 - Nick Real - Tigger

 55 - Phil Crabb - Crabby

 55 - Richard Beer - Thrash

 55 - Sally Poole - Wurzel

 55 - Vanessa Cross - Missfit

 55 - Vicky Turner - Vixpix

 55 - Karl Moore –  Fireman Sam

 100 - Colwin Way - Hammy

 100 - Damion Norcombe - DamIT

 100 - Darren Peach - Fur Ball

 100 - Gary Phillips - Beer Ball

 100 - Grant Turner - Comus

 100 - Laurie Forino - The Hulk

 100 - Michael Trimble - Lebusque

 100 - Tone Whitehurst - Silver Fox

 100 - Trevor Yates - Woodworm

 

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