So, here we are one year older and one year fatter to attempt the yearly cycle run. This year we lost one, and gained one, so the participants were: ‘Big Bad’ Brend, Marrsy, Dave ‘the bags’ Allen and me. We had decided to attempt a real cycle this year – the way of the Roses – which was a 170 mile journt across England from one side of the country to the other, from Morecombe to Bridlington.
The day started with a pickup in Bristol Parkway where I met up with Mr Marr, he had already been on the train for a couple of hours. So we tucked his bike in the car, topped up the oil and off we went. Bristol to Bridlington took a good few hours, but at around two o’clock we rolled into the sprawling seaside town of Morecambe. (Its a hole).
Checked into the guest house and met up with Brend, who had been there for a short while – he was splendidly kitted out in very tight lycra with a large man bag (which to be fair contained his sophisticated camera) and a very dusty bike. Brend doesnt bother himself with matter such as ensuring his bike is ready for a 170 mile trip – if its got air in its tyres and a seat, he’s happy.
So we walked down the front to a little caff, and sat in the very strong wind drinking tea and pop and Brendon eating a lot of food. After a visit with Mr Eric Bartholomews (later to be Morecambe) statue and a paddle for me, and a bracing swim for action man Marr we found ourselves having a little beer outside the Midland hotel – probably Morecambes only redeeming feature.
Span rolls into town at around 7, after making the 3 mile journey from Lancaster station to Morecambe, and in true Span tradition nearly kills himself on the first Morecambe round about as we watch. He has a couple of bags, saddle bags, nap sacks, little bike bags and i think they are full of stuff – he’s a one is our Span.
Evening comes and we have some food at Franky and Bennys and a final pint in the Midland where we use some very nice toilets! Then its home to the luxurious guest house for a slightly too warm night of broken sleep (pausing briefly to check the weather – it is going to rain)