-- while returning to their hotel from a happy night out.

The nighttime bandits rained blows on the pair after forcing them off their cycle on a lonely road.

It is the latest in an upward spiral of attacks on visitors -- blamed on drugs and the recession.

And yesterday Government was urged to use the "cat o' nine tails'' to bring the thugs to heel.

The call came from an ex-Bermuda Regiment commanding officer who discovered the couple bruised and battered in the street.

Lt. Col. Cragin C. Curtis, 62, hit out: "These goons were armed with sticks, and it was their mission to carry out a cowardly robbery.'' He continued: "The perpetrators of this crime fear corporal punishment -- and if they don't know what it is, it is six-ten lashes.'' Lt. Col. Curtis, who had run from his home alerted by the sound of the beating, also suggested solitary confinement as another option.

The attack occurred shortly after midnight yesterday on unlit South Road, Hamilton Parish, near the Mid Ocean Golf Course.

Mr. Gary and Celia Bradshaw, from Houston, Texas, lost control when their attackers rode up alongside them.

They fell into the road, their bike cart wheeling to the verge.

The youths then set about them, repeatedly striking 40-year-old Mr. Bradshaw around his face, back, and upper body.

They then reached into his pocket and removed a wallet containing $80.

The robbers also attacked 39-year-old Mrs. Bradshaw, raining blows on her head, fortunately protected by a crash helmet.

Lt. Col. Curtis, who lives off the South Shore Road, ran outside as the youths were escaping.

"I had been sleeping, but was awakened by the piercing screams of the woman,'' he said.

"I could also hear the sound of the thumping of the sticks. It was quite sickening.

"The couple were standing in the middle of the road, and their cycle was by the verge.

"They were obviously absolutely terrified. The woman was quivering like an aspen leaf, and was pretty much in hysterics.

"Both were badly shaken and bruised, and I ran off to dial 911.'' Lt. Col. Curtis said the couple, who were staying at the Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort, were smartly dressed and had obviously been on a night out in town.

"I didn't speak to them much because the Police quickly arrived on the scene and there was not much more I could do.

"I did, however, apologise to them, and said this was not the Bermuda I grew up in.

"It is pretty clear they won't be coming back to Bermuda for a visit.'' Lt. Col. Curtis, president of First Properties of Bermuda Ltd., said he was completely fed up with "do gooders'' -- from church leaders to politicians and magistrates -- who shied away from stamping hard on criminals.

"These types of attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, particularly on tourists because they are so vulnerable.

"We are certainly living through a very sad patch in our history. It is high time we stopped these crimes. There's no use in calling for social inquiry reports.

"The only thing these kind of people understand is physical pain. We should introduce corporal punishment.'' Lt. Col. Cragin Curtis.