The
2nd Nello Memorial Century Cycle Challenge
Topsham,
Devon July 1, 2001 The scenes on Topsham Quay as the 150-plus cyclists
made their way to the finish, having completed the challenging 100 mile
course over the roof of Exmoor and back, were truly extraordinary and
even moving. Some cyclists were clearly elated and overjoyed at what
they had achieved; others were close to collapse, totally exhausted
from the hundred mile pedal; a few broke into tears, a mixture of relief,
pain, exhaustion and exhilaration. Bicycles of every type, size and
colour were everywhere and cyclists milled around the Quay, enjoying
a drink, proudly wearing this year's bright orange tee-shirt and medal
(decorated by hand with Italian ribbons and pasta, of course). Whenever
a new rider arrived, individually or in a group, there were huge cheers
from the assembled throng.
It was hectic,
joyous, and, for us, hugely satisfying to see how much this event clearly
meant to those who took the Nello Challenge. Cycling 100 miles in a
day is no easy feat, so well done everybody!
In the evening,
over 300 people — cyclists, family, friends, and helpers —
gathered at the Topsham Rugby Club to celebrate with a feast in true
Nello style and spirit. An incredible and abundant spread of foods was
prepared by a team of very special people, including David and Ondine
Kearley; Paul and Katherine Russell; Michael Caines; food writer friends
Rosie Barron, Christine McFadden and Liz Franklin who all came down
specially for the event; Mariangela and Paola; and many others. Much
of the food was donated by local businesses, including Arthurs, Darts
Farm, Highfield, and Richards.
For the second
year running, Mario Fontana, our Italian winemaker friend who used to
supply Nello with his outstanding house Barbera, drove all the way over
from his home in the Barolo wine hills to bring over wines for the evening,
an extraordinary gesture of friendship in memory of Nello.
The sun shone,
and it was a truly special day which many will never forget.
This was the
second year that we've organised the Nello Century Cycle Challenge,
with all monies raised in aid of local cancer charities in association
with FORCE. Last year's efforts resulted in more than £10,000
to this very worthwhile organisation, and it is our hope that we will
at least be able to match this sum, depending of course on the generosity
of those who are sponsoring the cyclists.
Nello and I
were very proud to be associated with FORCE when we first launched Ride
for Life in 1997 for our cycle from Topsham to Venice. FORCE is a truly
great local organisation, indeed a true force of positive lifegiving
energy within our community.
For me, and
for many others, this event is not just about fundraising, important
though that element is. Through this day, we honour and remember a wonderful
friend whose spirit remains very much alive within our community. And
through participating in this event — both for those who knew and
loved Nello, as well as for those who never even knew him personally
but in some way do now — we can all draw positive lifegiving energy
and strength from Nello’s indominable and tireless spirit. That
to me is what makes the day so very special.
Indeed for
those who took part in this year's Nello Challenge — the children
who went as far as Bolham, a huge achievement in itself; and all the
cyclists who struggled up that long hill from Dulverton to the top of
the moor, who endured the interminable (but lovely!) stretch from South
Molton to Copplestone, and who suffered those savage, sharp rises at
Newton St. Cyres and en route back through Exeter to Topsham Quay —
the long hours spent in the saddle, in pleasure or in pain, to complete
(or perhaps even not to complete) the hundred mile circuit, were a powerful
celebration of our human capacity to meet challenges, to grit in and
endure, to achieve personal and collective goals: in short, simply to
be alive.
We'd love this
event to be able to continue in future years. At the moment, we’ve
hardly had time to draw breath, and it is difficult to look that far
ahead. This event has clearly caught the imagination of our whole community
and even beyond. It seems likely, should it happen again, that next
year even more people may wish to participate. In that case, it is difficult
to see how it can remain in its present form, and we are currently canvasing
opinions on how and in what form it might evolve.
Over the coming
months, we'd be very happy to hear your constructive ideas as well as
offers to get seriously involved, both from cyclists and non-cyclists
as well. Please call Marc or Kim on 873778 or email
marc@rideforlife.org.uk.
But in the
meantime, just to say once more a huge thank you to everyone who helped
in so many ways and made this such a community event: the excellent
and inspirational support teams; the baking teams who made such an incredible
array of goodies to sustain us en route; the support drivers and medical
team; all who helped with the evening Pasta Feast; and the many local
businesses who generously supported the event through donating some
really brilliant prizes for our raffle.
And to all
the cyclists who took part, once more, Well done and thanks for joining
in. Nello would be very proud.
The
2nd Nello Century Cycle Challenge Pasta Feast Menu
*******
Antipasti
Selection of salads by Rosie Barron and Christine McFadden, including
Rosie's chick-pea and chard salad
Lebanese tabouleh
Cucumber, yogurt and mint salad seasoned with za'atar
Two-rice salad with orange and ginger dressing
Vietnamese cabbage, pomelo and carrot salad
Mixed green leaves
(Vegetables supplied by Highfield Organic Farm and Darts Farm Shopping
Village)
Mediterranean roasted vegetables with balsamic dressing by Michael Caines
Topsham tabouleh by Jane Goss-Custard
Bread
Baguettes supplied by cyclist and baker Neil Tubbs of the Crusty Cob
Pasta,
risotto and polenta
Penne with tomato and pesto by Barry and Cathy Parsons
Pasta ai frutti di mare by Michael Caines
Risotto alla ortolana by Paola Nono
Polenta alla griglia by Mariangela Williams
Meats
Chicken, lamb and sausages cooked by David and Ondine Kearley and by
Katherine and Paul Russell (meats supplied by Arthurs Butchers)
Tuscan sausages braised in red wine and porcini mushrooms (sausages
made by Turtons Butchers and prepared by Marc Millon)
To
Finish
Strawberries (picked on the day by the Boyce family at Shillingford
St. George and prepared by Liz Franklin)
Clotted cream (freshly made for us by Quickes Dairy, Newton St. Cyres)
The
Wine
Cascina Fontana Barbera d'Alba 1998 (made by and driven over for the
event by winemaker Mario Fontana, Castiglione Falletto, Alba)
Copyright
© Marc Millon 2001
