considering the state of the Trike and the then level of technology available.
It is only 40 years ago, not the stone age. Cotterless cranks, enough gears to get a decent range. I well recall the report of the time and the incident on the "hard right" bend. I met Barry a few times in the early 70s.
I have a report of the first End to End tandem trike record, set in August 1947. 2 days 22 hours and 41 minutes, and then onwards for the 1000 mile record. Times of food shortages and club folk along the way pooling their rations to feed the riders. They got lost around Wick in the night and ended up riding rutted tracks and knocking up occupants of a cottage for directions.
Something about tandem trikes perhaps, and their riders, that lead to such antics and tales.
As an aside- the RRA LeJog tandem trike record has stood since 1954 (only 7 years after that first one) at 2 days 4 hours and 26 minutes. Nobody has got close even with all the modern accoutrements.