On returning, the idea came to him of organizing an expedition from Belize to El 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. Hilderbrand W. Haylock who at once pledged his whole-hearted support.

The next morning the proposal was mentioned to Lt. Col. the Hon. James Cran, M.D., O.B.E., V.D. (then Principal Medical Officer), and Miss L. M. Roberts (then 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.

His Excellency the Governor promptly extended his distinguished patronage to the expedition, thought it was a most excellent idea, and promised to do all in his power to assist. Three cups were offered. One by His Excellency to the man who covered the journey from Belize to El Cayo and back in the shortest time; one by Mr. Chas. R. Beattie, the general manager off the local Branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, to the first man to arrive at El Cayo, and another by Mr. Frans R. Dragten, KC., to the first man to arrive back in Belize. Col. Cran offered a special prize to the first man to arrive at Orange Walk on the onward journey. Mr. Robert Wyatt gave $5 to be awarded as prize as the organizers may decide. Several more prizes were secured and the expedition had the full support of the government.

On Monday the 2nd April, 1928, at 5:00 p.m., there was a parade in front of the Public Buildings of all those taking part in the expedition. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police and Capt J. A. Nisbet, inspected the men who were all dressed in shorts with kit. After photographs were taken, they paraded through the principal streets of the City and were cheered by thousands who lined the route. In front of the public buildings, the concourse numbered thousands. At this parade, Cyril Simmons and Leopard Neal, who had cycled from El Cayo to Belize to join the expedition, were presented to His Excellency. They were the first two to have covered the journey on bicycles. Previous to this achievement there was a number of ?Thomases? who thought the idea of getting to El Cayo on bicycles ridiculous, absurd. Some said that only a crazy man could ever conceive such an idea. The two men were heartily congratulated by the organizers. One of them rode a lady?s bicycle (Kirmer) and the other a Britain?s Challenge.

Thursday morning, the 5th of April, 1928, will be remembered as a historic day for cycling in Belize. At 3:00 a.m., the Reveille was sounded by Sgt. U. Bevin of the Territorial Force, the delightful – nay beautiful – strains of which woke up the entire community. Many thought it was the most delightful thing they had heard for a long time. At 4:45 a.m. the members of the Belize – El Cayo expedition ?fell? in front of the Public Buildings in order of their official number. The Superintendent of Police was present and verified the numbers present. At the command of the chairman of the expedition, the parade circled the Court House twice and at the stroke of the clock at 5:00 a.m. the start was made.

Over 5,000 persons were present and cheered unanimously as the clock struck. It was a wonderful sight. It was said that ?the boys had as great a send off as Colonel Lindbergh.? This early morning enthusiasm of the citizens of Belize made every member of the expedition realize that he was expected to endure every hardship and suffering, overcome every obstacle and get to El Cayo.

Leaving the tremendous concourse of people in front of the Public Buildings, the route along Orange Street as far as the Pound Yard was lined by hundreds of people who cheered vociferously as the men passed along. At Wagner?s Potrero, Four Mile Bridge, the last house on Farber?s Road, the Swing Bridge, (over the Sibun Canal), Caesar?s Ridge and Hector Creek, respectively, crowds gathered to see the ?boys? off. Near Butcher Burns, there were a number of men on horseback from Boom, firing off revolvers and shouting, ?Boom boys ahead.? At the northern gate at Butcher Burns, the Police Constable and a number of others were present to record the time of arrival of each participant. Midway between Butcher Burns and Teakettle, several persons from Gracie Rock and vicinity occupied points of vantage and wished each passer ?God?s speed and good luck.?

One man said that there was no road to El Cayo – it was only a trail. Well, he is not exactly incorrect. However, for the purpose of this article we shall call it road! The distance of the road from Belize to El Cayo was approximately 90 miles, 30 miles of which is through Pine Ridge and therefore comparatively good ground in the dry season. But from Gale Creek (approximately 4 miles from Beaver Dam) the road was bad. In parts the land was low and mucky which caused the wheels of the bicycles to get clogged and most of the men had to carry them on their backs. There were also some ?cruel jutting rocks? which were obstacles to rapid progress. Three miles west of Beaver Dam, the Castile Dump was struck. From this point, although rough and in parts honeycombed with mud holes and intersected by creeks without bridges, most of the men were able to cycle the greater part of the way to Orange Walk. The road between Orange Walk and Mount Hope was worse than the Beaver Dam muck. There were fifteen miles of very bad road, rough and in parts it contained heavy, sticky mud. From Mount Hope to El Cayo, which was 18 miles, the going was comparatively easy. It was necessary, however, here and there, to lead or carry your bicycle.

The men were loud in their appreciation and gratitude to the inhabitants of El Cayo for the kindness and hospitality shown to them The first arrival (Elstan Kerr) was the recipient of a beautiful bouquet from the hands of Mrs. Maud Hulse, the wife of the Road Overseer, and was enthusiastically cheered by a large crowd that was gathered to welcome him. From the time the men reached El Cayo, their every want was anticipated and provided for. Suitable housing accommodation was secured in several parts of the town. Satisfactory arrangements were made for their food. Under the capable and energetic guidance of the District Commissioner, everything worked smoothly and efficiently. Every man was perfectly satisfied.

On Saturday evening, the 7thApril, a cricket match was played, Belize vs Cayo, which resulted in a victory for Belize by two runs. On Sunday Morning, the 8th, all the motor cars and motor lorries were placed at the disposal of the Cayo Reception Committee for the purpose of conveying the men to Succotz and Benque Viejo.

It presented quite an interesting and unusual sight to see a queue of cars along the Benque Viejo road. On arrival at the ridge near the village of Succotz, the men came out the cars and lorries and lined up in columns of fours and marched under arches made of palm leaves.

They were headed by children with flowers and the marimba. On arriving at the Alcalde?s Court, an Address of Welcome was read and presented, to which Mr. Monrad Metzgen, in few well-chosen words, suitably replied. At the conclusion, refreshments were served. From the time of the entry of the men into the village until their departure, bombs were fired at intervals of five minutes. After an hour?s stay at Benque Viejo, the party returned to El Cayo.

At 5 o?clock punctually on the morning of the 9 April (Monday), the return journey to Belize was started by the District Commissioner amid the cheers of a large crowd.

The efficiency of our Telephone Service (which, fortunately, was not owned by present day Ashcroft or Prosser) was put to severe test. On Thursday 5thand Monday 9th, the operators were kept constantly busy telephoning the progress of the men. The news was awaited at all stations with great eagerness and when announced on the black boards, electrified the populace. Never before in the history of this Colony has the entire community of Belize and El Cayo been worked up to such a height of excitement. The TELEPHONE SERVICE did it!

The chairman of the expedition is reported to have said, ?The most pleasing feature of the entire expedition to me is the most excellent behavior of the men. The esprit de corps was simply beyond praise.? The following telegram from El Cayo speaks for itself:

?Accept appreciation for the splendid behavior of your men. It was simply grand. YOUNG.?

As a part of the expedition, Mr. George Hanlan was the first man to take a Ford car from Belize to El Cayo. He left Belize at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday the 5thApril and by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday the 8thhis car was at Santa Elena. Creeks were forded, hills climbed and mud successfully negotiated. Many folks tried to discourage him by saying he was doomed to failure; and it was impossible to take his car overland to Cayo. Even the people on the upper reaches of the river said that he could never do it. Hanlan said, ?If I have to take my car to bits, I shall get her to El Cayo overland.?

The winner of this first expedition, Elstan Kerr, completed the entire journey in 21 hours 29 minutes. Norris Wade was second in 22 hours 50 minutes and Bertie Cleland was third in 24 hours 37 minutes. At the tender age of 13 years, Walter Scott was the youngest cyclist to finish the expedition in 50 hours 16 minutes, and a special prize was awarded to him. Monrad Metzgen also rode the expedition and finished in 30 hours 32 minutes. Kerr and Wade were from Boom.

As a direct result of the success of this expedition, the British Honduras Cyclists Association was formed on June 8, 1928 under the presidency of Robert S. Turton, and the expedition, which is now known as the Cross Country Cycle Race, continues to be a premier annual event.