AROUND 600 cyclists pedalled around a 55-mile route passing through the Okehampton area as part of the FORCE Autumn Storm bike ride on October 4.

Riders set off from Fingle Glen Golf Course at Tedburn St Mary bright and early, passing through Winkleigh, Jacobstowe, Broadwoodkelly, Monkokehampton, Okehampton and Whiddon Down.

The route was chosen to limit the impact on other road users and utilised the cycle network routes where possible. The event is not timed and is not in any way a race but is merely seen as an endurance event for people to raise money for FORCE.

FORCE Cancer Charity is based in Exeter and has an outreach service at Okehampton’s Castle Ham Lodge. Cancer patients, their carers, family and friends are offered counselling, complementary therapies, information and advice every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.

All FORCE services are offered free of charge. The charity needs to raise £900,000 each year to maintain its services. The 2014 event raised over £10,000 for the charity.