On Baron Bliss Day, 9th March, 1928, the writer journeyed on his bicycle from Belize to the Pine Ridge near Freetown on the Old River, about ten miles, to witness a cricket match.
On arrival he found quite a large number of people from Belize, including thirty or forty bicycles and four motor cars. On returning, the idea came to him of organizing an expedition from Belize to Cayo on bicycles. At first the subject was dismissed as impossible. But, like a recurring decimal sum, the thought came back again and again.
On arrival at Belize it was mentioned to Mr. Hildebrand W. Haylock, who at once pledged his whole-hearted support. The next morning the proposal was mentioned to Lt. Col. the Hon. Jas. Cran, M.D., O.B.E., V.D. (then Principal Medical Officer), and Miss L. M. Roberts, the indefatigable and efficient Matron of the Public Hospital. The Matron at once said it was an excellent idea and that she would gladly give a contribution of $5.00. The Colonel said, “I cover that amount.” Due, therefore, to the encouragement and sympathy of the above named persons the Expedition immediately took definite shape.
Organization
A public meeting was convened at the Debating Club on 11th March, 1928, at which it was decided (a) that an expedition on bicycles from Belize to the Cayo and back be organized; (b) that if possible the patronage of His Excellency Major Sir John A. Burdon K.B.E., C.M.G., be secured; (c) that the following gentlemen be appointed a Board of Management with absolute authority to act, the decision of the Board on all matters shall be final and conclusive: – M.S. Metzgen, Chairman, H.C. Fairweather, Hon. Secretary, W.M. McField, Hon. Treasurer, P.S. Woods Official, Reporter, H.W. Haylock, Basil Burns, Greg. Castillo, and Harold Graham; (d) that each person joining the expedition should pay to the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. Wm. M. McField) the sum of $1.00 not later than the 2nd April, 1928; (e) that the expedition should start from in front of the Public Buildings, Belize, at 5 o’clock a.m. on Thursday 5th April, 1928, returning on Monday the 9th. (f) that prizes be awarded as the Committee may think fit to the first two arrivals at Cayo and (on return) Belize, respectively; (g) that the Board employs a suitable number of persons to effect all necessary repairs on the journey; (h) that expenses in connection with repairs to tires be borne by the Board but that the cost of all new parts by the participant; and (j) that all bicycles participating should be thoroughly examined at least two clear days before the Expedition leaves Belize.
Conditions
The following rules were made by the Board of Management:
(1) No entries shall be accepted after 9 o’clock p.m. on Saturday, 31st March, 1928.
(2) All those taking part in the expeditions to Cayo and Corozal, respectively, are requested to parade in front of the Public Buildings at 5 o’clock p.m., punctually, on Monday, 2nd April, 1928, dressed as they propose to leave Belize on the morning of the 5th April, for the following purpose: inspection of bicycles; photograph; parade around the town; lecture by Lt. Col. the Hon. Jas. Cran, M.D., on “How to keep fit on the proposed journey.”
(3) Each member of the Cayo-expedition is requested to take in his kit a knife, fork, spoon and cup; and to send such personal luggage as he may require at the Cayo, to the office of “Rene M.” not later than midday Monday, 2nd April, 1928. Only absolute necessities should be sent. Packages and valises should be as small as possible and properly addressed with the name of the owner c/o the Police, Cayo. Blankets should be sent.
(4) The official stopping place on Thursday night shall be Orange Walk.
(5) The route shall be along the telephone line through Never Delay and as indicated by sign boards.
(6) Each person must report at Butcher Burns, Beaver Dam, Castile, Never Delay, Orange Walk, Mount Hope and Cayo.
(7) Any one who travels other than on the official route, or is in anyway assisted on the journey, or commits a foul, or does anything which, in the opinion of the Board of Management, is prejudicial to good sportsmanship or the success of the expedition shall be disqualified.
(8) the progress of the expedition shall be telegraphed from every station and registered on a blackboard at the Police Stations at both Belize and El Cayo.
– pgs. 11, 12, BLAZING TRAILS, by M. S. Metzgen, 1928. (The book was discovered by Emory King and reproduced by BRC Printing in 2002.)