M&DTTA Christmas 10 – 2015

Not a WVCC event, but an event organised by our own Mr Fearon, and always a bit of festive fun. The highlight of the event is the fancy dress, and those who enter into this spirit really go to town on their outfits.

It was a cold, wet day as I stood shivering at Allostock, waiting for the first riders to come past. Soon enough, hardly recognisable from current MotoGP world champion, Jorge Lorenzo (which is who he was proporting to be) Neil Skellern came past with a determined grimace.

Neil trying to be the MotoGP world champion.

Closely followed by the Joker (Jason Codling, East Lancs RC), A Fox(! – Cat Jessop, East Lancs RC), and a line of other super heroes including Poison Ivy (Georgina Cape, East Lancs RC) and Robin (Andy Reagan, also of East Lancs RC). Catwoman (Niamh Coulter, East Lancs RC) was carefully hidden by Poison Ivy….

I’m not happy, the smile is painted on..

Carefully hidden Catwoman led out by Poison Ivy…

The next photograph, I can only apologise for, as I’m not quite sure what David Tiner of Clayton Velo was thinking, but it was very disturbing to see.. Avert your eyes if you are of a sensitive disposition.

The start sheet says ‘Pink Madonna with Pink Boobies. Really. Yes.

Various costumes followed..

..of one sort or another..

..with plenty of colour..

..and tradition…

..and a shout of Nanu, Nanu.. for those who can remember what TV show that was around from 1978 onwards. No prizes. Answer below.*

The main question that had to be asked was, what was last year’s fancy dress winner, Johnny Descamps going to do to better last years fantastic effort – see below.

Johnny’s prize winning bath from 2014!

He was off at number 10, but I didn’t see him as numbers all the way to the end of the fancy dressers passed.

Then I saw the power houses of Dennis Hornby and Alan Shuttleworth fly towards me on their fine Longstaff tandem trike.

Alan grimaces, Dennis smiles for the camera.

But who was that they were passing. ‘Get off the road’ I heard Dennis shout as they passed what looked like a very thin bloke on a bike with a sidecar. Eh? What is that tootling towards me? Aah, it’s Johnny Descamps and his underfed friend. He’s done it again.

You would not Adam and Eve it…

..not only was this sat up, but it was pedaling!

Also correctly wearing the number so as not to break the rules, but strictly speaking, should have worn the number on the left arm also, so that the timekeeper could recognise… nevermind..

To see it in it’s glory, just watch the first 42 seconds of this YouTube clip (didn’t hit the stop button till I realised I was still recording).

A fantastic creation, months in the making. A hybrid of recumbent and mountain bike!! Superb. How on earth he’ll top that next year I do not know, but I can’t wait to find out. 🙂

Despite the cold and the rain, another excellent event.

Here are the results!

Fancy Dress

Tandem

Solo

*For those too young to remember, the phrase Nanu Nanu came from a 1978 US comedy TV series called Mork and Mindy, featuring an up and coming comedian – the late Robin Williams, playing an alien visiting earth.