Rain all morning and a terrific wind put the ‘wind’ up me today, for the great event this afternoon – the 100 in 8 hours was to be run off.  At 2pm I met my friend from Manchester – Tom Idle and we proceeded together to the Beehive Hotel, the starting point.  Right on three we started, 35 of us and – wonder – we did not feel much wind.  Keeping a steady pace we passed through Horwich to Chorley and Bamber Bridge where we were held up at the level crossing for five minutes.

Walton le Dale was now passed, and climbing the hill we reached Preston.  There were now 38 of us, including one lady.  Gently our leaders speeded up and soon Brock was left behind and we were hurrying through Garstang.  At Galgate, 33.25 miles, tea was waiting and we were ten minutes behind schedule.  25 minutes later we were off again, negotiating the long climb to Scotforth, and, dropping into the crowded streets of Lancaster, we crossed the Lune and gained the open road beyond.  Past Slyne we did evens to Bolton le Sands and Carnforth, quickly making lost time up.

The views of the hills were splendid but we had poor eyes for beauty just then.  When we reached the turning point at Burton in Kendal we were 4 minutes in front, but that lead was soon lost in checking.  On the way back to Carnforth I caught a glimpse of the jetty at Morecambe [Heysham ?] with a two funnel ship in the dock.  At Bolton le Sands hot tea was served and we were again ten minutes late.  We got away in two parties, of about 6 and 32, I being behind the last at first but beyond Slyne I made an effort and gained the front, leading the crowd through Lancaster.  Still forging ahead, I climbed the hill to Scotforth in a hailstorm which soon dispersed however.

Dropping into Galgate I put every ounce into it not caring what came or went.  In a frenzy I rushed through Garstang and caught the front party up, thus covering 17.5 miles in one hour to Brock for supper.  I had gained ten minutes on the rear party, and reached Brock four minutes inside schedule.  At 9.30 we started back, lighting up at Preston.  Near Bamber Bridge the lady member dropped out and a little further on I was ‘done’.  I kept on though, my legs going like clockwork and I having a very strong desire to lie down and die.  But I bucked up and beyond having a little cramp which soon went I felt A1.

At Chorley we had 1 hour and 20 minutes to cover 11 miles, and at Horwich we stopped at 11pm for a drink.  We arrived back at 11.40pm, well within time and the Lady rider had also arrived.  She deserved it for it needs grit for a woman to pull that off.  [Ed.  I think the finish was outside the Bolton Town Hall].  Our ‘Marshall’ who kept returning to buck the others up just got in on the stroke of 12 to the accompaniment of cheering.  I think there were three who missed qualifying.  Charlie’s time was a creditable 7 hours, 8 minutes and 40 seconds.     Total 106 miles