Bikes are built and ready

Torr on tour: reporter Martyn Torr joins charity fundraisers on a ride though Bangladesh

THE bikes arrived today in their boxes, courtesy of Surosa Cycles in Huddersfield Road.

They had survived a 5,000-mile flight across two continents and a hazardous road journey in a small van from Dhaka in central Bangladesh to the north-eastern corner of this endlessly-fascinating country.

Shaw man Phil Buckley, the trainer and mentor to the seven-strong cycling group that flew out last Thursday, as well as others from a football team, immediately began building the bikes into roadworthiness. The footballers, all from Oldham, arrived late Sunday and are fit lads.

Phil’s four-hour task was completed in the cellar of the Hotel Metro in downtown Sylhet, directly opposite the city’s biggest prison. He was helped by some willing locals who had wandered by, curious to know what was going on.

Phil, a former Oldham bobby who spent 25 years on the beat, took it all in his stride. This is his eighth trip to this country of 150 million people (crammed into half the land mass of the UK).

There are people everywhere. This is one of the first aspects of life in Bangladesh that strikes the first-time visitor.

We are six hours ahead of the UK and by the time you read this we will have completed the first leg of our five days of cycling.

Hopefully the country roads won’t be as busy as the towns, otherwise we are in for some serious strife! The driving is a real challenge to the uninitiated and after a day of trips and visits in a taxi I am seriously stressed!

The roundabout at the top of Park Road will be a doddle after this....