The 2026 Manchester to Blackpool Bike event. By John Thorpe

Well as I always say, it's hard to believe that another year has slipped by (doesn't time just fly when you're having fun?) and here I am again writing my pre ride appeal for support (not that kind of support although after spending all day in the saddle who knows what might happen!)

         I recently got my paperwork for the event, and am number 1152 this year. I hope this doesn't mean that numbers are down on previous years, as it's always good to have a lot of entries, both from the fund raising perspective and the feeling of camaraderie on the road during it.

         The distance is, as always, approx. 60 miles, although because I ride in to Manchester for the start and home again afterwards it's 80 plus miles for me.  Lest readers are under the mistaken impression that I ride back from Blackpool to Manchester, I have to disillusion them. As the saying goes 'I'm good but not that good!'

           The entry fee includes coach transport from Blackpool to Manchester, but after that you're on your own mate! Many riders get friends or family to pick them and their bikes up from Manchester, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel a touch of envy on occasion!

         I'm always keen to get out of Manchester and back onto the quieter roads to Prestwich, Whitefield and Bury, mainly due to the drivers, who are not great at making allowances for the fact that you are on a vehicle where you are the engine!

           The recent hot weather, described by the BBC and the press as a heatwave has been right up my street, and reminds me of a  childhood where we actually got hot Summers and cold Winters - you know the way it should but hasn't been for the best part of half a century. The mind numbing stupidity of constantly scaring the public with the myth of climate change, and having deep red symbols on TV weather maps would be funny if it wasn't so deliberate and ridiculous. Worse still, people swallow it  hook line and sinker, instead of thinking 'hang on this is actually supposed to be Summer so what's all the fuss about?'

            For all of you who watched Bonanza during the 60's,the image of the map which bursts into flames under the opening credits, made me wonder if the Met Office and the BBC haven't missed a trick, and could emulate it in the studio while exclaiming, as Caroline Ahern's weather girl did, 'Scorchio!'

       Personally if the weather on Sunday July 12th is hot, I'll be overjoyed. People think you must be mad, but I love hot weather, it energises me and keeps my spirits upon the ride. I've ridden in rain and of the two I know which I prefer!

          I've treated my trusty bike to a new chain, jockey wheels (part of the derailleur mechanism), and new brake blocks - all it needs is a decent rider and it will be fine!

             Whatever the weather, the ride will go ahead and we will all just have to deal with it. You can prepare the bike all you like, but at the end of the day you can't predict the unpredictable and when push comes to shove you have to rely on yourself. That's part of the attraction for me, to be honest, and I certainly don't want difficulties, but you learn something about yourself by the way you deal with them.

                 As always, I can do my bit, but without the support of you good people it will not achieve anything for Three Owls. This will be my 37th consecutive ride, which either proves I'm  hardy, brave and stout-hearted or that I’m off my head! I leave you to decide, and  hope that you will support the ride and the benefits of it for Three Owls.

John Thorpe