This weekend several Honiton Spinners braved the strong winds for their first sportive of 2019. A sportive is an organised ride, but not a race, with two or three distances. The ‘No Excuses’ sportive is a UK Cycling event, which raised funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Scott Rumens earned himself a much-deserved silver certificate for his 77 mile Epic version, tackling the stiff climbs of Dartmoor, including the lung-bursting Widecombe Hill. Meanwhile, Mike Bowring, John Burgess, Dave Hawton, Vanessa Glynn Jones and Jennie Sleeman just about avoided being blown off their bikes during the 45 mile Standard route. Highlights included riding through the Teign Valley and by the seaside at Dawlish and Starcross. To finish, all riders faced a gruelling 20% climb on Haldon Hill before returning to Exeter Racecourse.
Meanwhile, Kevin Goss, Rachael Dunn, Rachael and Marcus Mattocks were combating the gale over 70 miles on the Mad March Audax which took them from the start at Cranbrook down to East Budleigh then up over the Blackdown Hills.
Many Honiton Spinners swapped their cycling shoes for trainers on Sunday and scrambled up the East Devon cliffs, charged over pebble beaches, and waded through muddy bogs at the Grizzly.
Well done to everyone who took part in these events and helped to raise money for charity.
Jennie