Michaels cycles has been the Beccles bike shop since the early 1980’s, over the last 10 years of ownership we have met and continue to meet customers who push themselves and their bikes to extremes.
One such customer is Alan Tuthill.
On one of his many visits to 2 Smallgate last year Alan informed us of his plans for the following day.
His plan was not just to enter and complete the Cambridge 100 charity ride, but he was also going to bike to the start line, at this point, Callum and myself looked at Alan and knowing he didn’t have a car, let alone a driving licence, I casually asked him how he planned to get home after his epic 180 mile ride?
i’m biking back he calmly said…….
At this point I gave him a business card and said, Alan, your bonkers, but, if you need any help tomorrow or a lift , call me and I’ll pick you up.
The following day passed, no call.
The following week Alan turned up in the shop and told us he completed the ride to Cambridge starting at 1am, slept a bit under a hedge as he was first one at the start and successfully completed the 100. He made new friends (the astonished riders who found him under the hedge). They then told him, “your not riding home, we are giving you a lift”!
So next time you think, my god 20 miles is a long way, bear a thought for the grim determination of one Alan Tuthill of Beccles, a true Michaels hero.
