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PAUL DAME'S CANCER RESEARCH TRIP BSA BANTAM D3 1951 MILES JULY 2026 MY STORY: I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2024. The tumour was contained and initially considered operable without the need for chemotherapy. However, complications followed surgery, including a leak, second operation, and sepsis, resulting in an ICU stay and seven weeks in hospital on strong antibiotics. During the second surgery, a bleed to my spleen required a drain, which remained in place for 14 weeks. While recovering, I was informed the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, meaning chemotherapy was needed. Unfortunately, treatment could not begin within the required timeframe because the oncologist would not proceed while the drain was in place. A year later, I learned the cancer had spread to my liver and lymph nodes in my back. This is now incurable, and I will receive chemotherapy every two weeks for long as it remains effective. THE BIKE: 1967 BSA Bantam D13, owned since 1974, restored in 2020. It has been bored out to 185cc and has a Rex Caunt piston fitted. The barrel has been ported by Ron Phillips (Faron Engineering). The cylinder head is a centre plug type as fitted to the Bantam B175; Ron has also done machining work on this. Sparks are provided by an Electrex world electronic ignition kit. THE ROUTE: Starting in Lincolnshire, I'll ride through Yorkshire (Goole, York), then head to Barnard Castle and over the moors to St Mary's Loch, past Meggitt Reservoir, and up to Elvanfoot. After skirtirting around the M74, I'll pass Moniaive and New Galloway to Newton Stewart, then take the B7027 to Girvan. From here its follow the coast and take the Dunoon Ferry. Then another ferry at Portavadie to Tarbert. Next another ferry at Corran and down to the Isle of Skye ferry at Mallaig. After touring Skye, I'll head to Applecross, Durness, and John O'Groats, then follow the East Coast down to Edinburgh and back to Lincolnshire via the Humber Bridge.

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