Day 1 - Sunday

Post date: May 18, 2012 5:36:33 PM

Departure

Started the day at home with last minute packing. My rally was to start a little early as I rode to the official starting line at Chris', so I loaded up Queenie with tent and petrol can on the luggage rack, shouldered the rest of my load and set off. This trip turned out to be a handy little 5 mile shake down making sure that everything was where it should be and nothing was gonna fall off! She ran like a dream, the only issue being the mirror which readjusts itself with the breifest gust of wind or bump... this was to be a recurring issue!

I was the first to turn up and gave Chris a hand to get the trailer sorted and had a brew (thanks Mrs C. ;o). Next our official camera man showed up closely followed by young Ricks parent's (yes, before Rick himself!). Old Rick turned up next and then in a haze of blue Mr. May made his entrance.

After only a brief further pause for Mrs. May to deliver an altered Elvis costume (and for Rick to adorn the afore mentioned) we set off in a shower of party poppers (cheers kids ;o)

Phase 1

So, we set off. Destination Blackpool initially, with only the briefest stop in Lytham to perform a ride past for our adoring press. We crossed the tram tracks on Blackpool prom and Chris and Rick prepared to take the plunge and go for a swim. Due to my less than adequate swimming ability I chose to pass up the points for this challenge ;o) Having performed cameraman duties for the boys dip and with damp underpants suitably suspended from relevant 'peds we went for a dart through the backstreets of Blackpool (the prom was closed further up). On the way out of Blackpool we pulled in to a petrol station to assess the situation and (rather unwisely as it turned out) decided to carry on without filling up.

To be continued (probably after I've had my dinner ;o) ...