In Memory of
Page 1
Page 1
It is with Great Sadness that we announce the death of John Taylor. Husband of Liz and father to Lynne & Mike. John had been involved in Cycling from his early teens. A long distance time-triallist at heart he lived for 24 hour racing and RRA (Place to Place) records.
John started Bridgtown Cycles in the Early 80’s and has been the guy that sold so many people their 1st ever bike (as well as many more bikes afterwards). He was always charming and free with his advice, he loved to help people and was an advocate for Time Trialling, Cycling in general and specifically for Women in the sport of cycling.
John started Bridgtown Cycles in the Early 80’s and has been the guy that sold so many people their 1st ever bike (as well as many more bikes afterwards). He was always charming and free with his advice, he loved to help people and was an advocate for Time Trialling, Cycling in general and specifically for Women in the sport of cycling.
His inspiration led both of his children to race and Lynne through hard work, determination and the support of her father become the greatest long distance rider of her generation only losing her Lands End to John O’Groats record last year after holding it for the previous 20 years. Lynne still retains the 1000 Mile record. John was always excited by new developments in cycling technology and training methodology and nutrition. He had a thirst for knowledge right up to his last days. We recall with smiles when the very first mountain bike available in the UK was put in the shop window. The debate it created, the questions that where asked and the shaking of the heads that pronounced Dad had gone mad and would have to give it away as no one would ever buy one. How wrong they were and how right he was.
When John retired from the Shop and his son Mike took over he didn’t rest on his Laurels. An avid cycling Historian John undertook the task of documenting the history of Lands End to John O’Groats record breaking and the history of 24 hour Time trialling. He wanted very much to get the stories and anecdotes down about these iconic events and the heroic riders before they were lost to time. John was the font of knowledge with regards to the End to End and has been integral in many successful attempts helping design the route, advise on approach and all aspects of such an epic undertaking. He has worked tirelessly as a member of the RRA Committee as well as the CTT and 24 hour fellowship, often acting as a catalyst for positive change and equality. John also undertook to write the 24 Hour fellowship Journal. A mixture of historical cycling essays, interviews and reviews of modern day superstars, a celebration of those that commit their time and energies to put on such amazing events and occasionally a controversial topic or two just to stimulate the grey cells and open up debate.
John passed the final timekeeper and handed in his number on Saturday 25th June 2022 at 9.50pm. Liz, Lynne and Mike were by his side.
When John retired from the Shop and his son Mike took over he didn’t rest on his Laurels. An avid cycling Historian John undertook the task of documenting the history of Lands End to John O’Groats record breaking and the history of 24 hour Time trialling. He wanted very much to get the stories and anecdotes down about these iconic events and the heroic riders before they were lost to time. John was the font of knowledge with regards to the End to End and has been integral in many successful attempts helping design the route, advise on approach and all aspects of such an epic undertaking. He has worked tirelessly as a member of the RRA Committee as well as the CTT and 24 hour fellowship, often acting as a catalyst for positive change and equality. John also undertook to write the 24 Hour fellowship Journal. A mixture of historical cycling essays, interviews and reviews of modern day superstars, a celebration of those that commit their time and energies to put on such amazing events and occasionally a controversial topic or two just to stimulate the grey cells and open up debate.
John passed the final timekeeper and handed in his number on Saturday 25th June 2022 at 9.50pm. Liz, Lynne and Mike were by his side.
This information was added on 03/07/2022
John Taylor
1943-2022
1943-2022
The Measure of a Man
How do you seek the measure of a mar\
Is it through his riches or gold?
Is it through the objects around him,
and the vanity they hold?
How do you know the measure of a man?
Is it through the life he leads?
Is it through his path of integrity,
that he never would concede?
Do you know the measure of a man,
when he stares into your eyes?
When his love and kindness fills you,
arid his spirit you can't disguise.
Can you see the measure of a man?
Who smiles throughout his pain;
who always embraced the sunshine,
and laughed through all the rain.
I have seen the measure of a man,
whose family hold him dear;
who's strength was inspirational,
and intent always sincere.
I have known the measure of a man,
One who touched your heart;
who the angels softly spoke to,
and who from us now must part.
Remember chat the measure of this man,
shall never fade or be lost;
and the love he brought into our lives,
will never be forgot.
Softly we will speak of him,
to chase our pain away;
and the love we share between us,
will unite us again someday.
How do you seek the measure of a mar\
Is it through his riches or gold?
Is it through the objects around him,
and the vanity they hold?
How do you know the measure of a man?
Is it through the life he leads?
Is it through his path of integrity,
that he never would concede?
Do you know the measure of a man,
when he stares into your eyes?
When his love and kindness fills you,
arid his spirit you can't disguise.
Can you see the measure of a man?
Who smiles throughout his pain;
who always embraced the sunshine,
and laughed through all the rain.
I have seen the measure of a man,
whose family hold him dear;
who's strength was inspirational,
and intent always sincere.
I have known the measure of a man,
One who touched your heart;
who the angels softly spoke to,
and who from us now must part.
Remember chat the measure of this man,
shall never fade or be lost;
and the love he brought into our lives,
will never be forgot.
Softly we will speak of him,
to chase our pain away;
and the love we share between us,
will unite us again someday.
Legendary record-breaking cyclist Eileen Sheridan has passed away, aged 99. Possibly the only rider to be named on the front cover of Cycling Weekly as 'Britain's Greatest Cyclist', she passed away at the weekend just eight months shy of her 100th birthday.
Sheridan's ability against the clock in place to place record breaking propelled her to cycling stardom, and her 1954 Land's End to John o' Groats record set in 2 days, 11hrs, 7min, stood for 36 years, only being beaten by Pauline Strong in 1990.
To read the rest of this Obituary please use the link below.
Sheridan's ability against the clock in place to place record breaking propelled her to cycling stardom, and her 1954 Land's End to John o' Groats record set in 2 days, 11hrs, 7min, stood for 36 years, only being beaten by Pauline Strong in 1990.
To read the rest of this Obituary please use the link below.
Dated 13th February.
With thanks to James Shrubsall & Cycling Weekly.
With thanks to James Shrubsall & Cycling Weekly.
Vice President Eileen Sheridan
18th October 1923 to 12th February 2023
18th October 1923 to 12th February 2023
Peter Warhurst 1932 – 2023
There followed a number of North & West Home Counties RRA records on tandem with various partners until, in 1955, Peter and Graham decided to attack some National RRA records. They beat the Pembroke to London record by 50 minutes, their time of 11hrs 44mins only being beaten after the Severn Bridge was built. A few weeks later they set a new time for the London to Portsmouth and back record, their time standing for 21 years!
As time went on, Peter devoted more time to marshalling, timekeeping and organising events and this continued after he and wife Pat moved to Bournemouth, where he became a leading light of the Jubilee Wheelers and was President when he sadly died at home, aged 90, on 6th February this year.
Rest in Peace, dear friend. We all remember with pride and affection our relations with you.
Tom Morley
As time went on, Peter devoted more time to marshalling, timekeeping and organising events and this continued after he and wife Pat moved to Bournemouth, where he became a leading light of the Jubilee Wheelers and was President when he sadly died at home, aged 90, on 6th February this year.
Rest in Peace, dear friend. We all remember with pride and affection our relations with you.
Tom Morley
Peter Warhurst was born in 1932. In 1949, aged 16, he joined
the Southgate C.C.
After only 3 years, in August 1952, he set up a club record, riding the
near 100 miles from Southgate to St Neots and back, in 4hrs 15mins.
His record stood for 11 years until an up-and-coming young rider
managed to beat it by just over a minute.
Peter’s club record breaking continued, on two and three wheels,
until he teamed up with fellow club member Graham Winkworth to break the club North Mimms to Baldock and back record on a tandem
the Southgate C.C.
After only 3 years, in August 1952, he set up a club record, riding the
near 100 miles from Southgate to St Neots and back, in 4hrs 15mins.
His record stood for 11 years until an up-and-coming young rider
managed to beat it by just over a minute.
Peter’s club record breaking continued, on two and three wheels,
until he teamed up with fellow club member Graham Winkworth to break the club North Mimms to Baldock and back record on a tandem
This information was added on 26/2/2023
This information was added on 7/7/2023
Graham ‘Ginger’ Winkworth.
Southgate Cycling Club
Graham sadly passed away on the 7th June.
In 1955, along with Peter Warhurst, who passed away earlier this year, they set RRA records for London to Portsmouth & back, in 6:01:07 and Pembroke to London in 10:44:00.
Southgate Cycling Club
Graham sadly passed away on the 7th June.
In 1955, along with Peter Warhurst, who passed away earlier this year, they set RRA records for London to Portsmouth & back, in 6:01:07 and Pembroke to London in 10:44:00.
2020
Alan Blackman
An Appreciation by Graham Thompson
One of my earliest memories of Alan is his name in my CTC diary of circa 1956 which records his RRA Tricycle Record of 4.34.20 set in 1954, little knowing on my move from Glasgow to London in 1956 that he would become a club mate and friend on joining the NRCC in early 1957
Alan joined the Club in March 1946, one of many to become North Roaders from the Enfield and Edmonton area in the post war era. He had married Gail, had a son (David also a NR member for a short time) and was living at Tilehurst near Reading. He separated from Gail and married Rosemary and they moved to Littleborough near Rochdale to care for her father. He lost touch with the club but a brief reunion was made when they travelled to Stevenage to mark Alan Kennedy's 90th birthday if my memory is correct Alan was still driving his Jaguar but then the cruel illness of Alzheimers quickly reduced his faculties so that he was but a shadow of his old self. Many of my friends have suffered from Parkinsons and Alzheimers so all who have cared for loved ones have all my sympathy and prayers. I do not know Alan's age but I hazard that he would have been in his early 90s so a cruel and hard way to end a long life. He passed away on 29 October 2020.
Alan's contribution to the club spanned all facets from office holder to racing man and tourist. He was Gazette Editor 1961 and Treasurer 1963-65 besides serving on the Committee but he will mainly be remembered for his racing years. His successes in Club events are too numerous to recite but without research I think he held club records at most distances such as 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours. In the winter months he would appear on a tricycle when the roads were treacherous and on 26th September 1954 he earned his gold badge by setting a new RRA record of 4.34.20 on the course starting at the top of Digswell Hill passing through Stevenage, Baldock, Royston, Newmarket to finish near Norwich. The record lasted for 4 years and he followed in the path of the illustrious NR roll call of Mills, Bidlake, Edge, Holbein and Fisher. He made several attempts to win the NR 24 but many were gallant failures caused by the twin weakness of cold and lack of sleep in the small hours. However in 1954 he finished second with nearly 452 miles to Stuart Thompson's over 456 miles, and he had the consolation of team prize with Geoff Edwards and Ken Davis. Stuart was competition record holder at 469.66 miles.
In 1954 Mark Withers set a new RTTC 30 mile record of 1.10.39 and he along with along Kennedy and Alan Blackman reduced the national team record to 3.36.06.
In February 1953 Alan won the Kingsdale Hardriders 25 in 1.13.38 followed by Geoff Edwards in second place and Alan Fowler in fifth place, these three forming the winning team. In 1955 the NR took over this early season pipe opener which was run on local roads, some of which still feature in the NR current event.
Graham Thompson
JIM TURNER
A Sporting Tribute by John Taylor
After suffering Parkinson’s Disease for many years, a fall at the nursing home broke a bone in his neck, and Jim was admitted unconscious to Warrington Hospital on June 4th. Sadly, Jim never recovered consciousness, and died on July 9th 2020.
With Jim’s passing we lost a respected, enthusiastic support for many long distance riders who’d known him during those years. From the 1980s Jim was the Course Marshal for the Mersey Roads 24hr and first noticed Christine Roberts, Lynne Biddulph, Gethin Butler and Andy Wilkinson. There are many more, of course, but in all four riders he also saw a potential Land’s End to John o’Groats record breaker.
I’ve only known of Jim’s lengthy involvement in long-distance racing from riding the Anfield 100 in the 1980s. when he promoted the 24hr with entry forms, then as a Marshal, Roving Checker and last-man Marshal with Paul Histon while organising and being event secretary with his wife Anne during the Mersey 24hr. Jim was present when Christine Roberts broke competition record in 1993, prompting his donation of £200 in 1994 to any woman breaking the record and also the Turner Cup, awarded every year to the fastest woman in the 24hr. Jim’s first involvement with RRA record breaking over the End to End route came in 1990, when with cycling reporter Ken Matthews he helped cajole and nurse Andy Wilkinson in the latter stages of his ride over the Ord of Caithness. Jim’s cajoling certainly worked as Andy struggled with hypothermia and sleep deprivation in the last few hours to beat John Woodburn’s record by 58-secs. In 1996 with Paul Histon, Jim helped on Andy’s faired recumbent tricycle End to End, taking 1day-17hrs-4mins. This non-RRA* record took place just two months prior to Andy’s RTTC Comp. Records at 50, 100, 12hrs and BBAR win at a record average 28.236mph when Jim & Paul took Andy to events and helped him. * timed, helped and observed by RRA personnel.
When Andy broke the 24hr comp record in 1997 Jim was the Mersey Event Organiser, and travelling Marshal, so when reports came from Paul about Andy’s position on the road compared to other riders, Jim realised Andy would break Roy Cromack’s comp record, and drove the timekeeper to follow Andy for an accurate road position at 24hrs. When Jim retired and handed the organising and event sec job to Doug Clarke for the year 2000, I wondered what he would do with the spare time, maybe a return to his love of gardening. It wasn’t long before plans were made for Lynne & Andy to set a mixed tandem record from Liverpool to Edinburgh in March 2000, and I was obviously involved in all of this, as well as their End to End that followed in May. Jim and Paul were instrumental in helping and organising this, and so was the late John Williams in a back-room role, and as RRA adviser.
Thanks for all you did for us Jim.
Keith Robins R.I.P.
Keith Geoffrey Robins died peacefully at his home in Spalding, Lincolnshire on 21st May, 2020 aged 91, surrounded by his family. He is survived by Brenda, his wife, and two of their three children, Nichola, and Kevin with Adrian passing away in 1991.
It was always clear from talking to Keith that his marriage was a very strong and happy one, from the day he met Brenda, a few days after he turned 21, until their 65th wedding anniversary this year. But whilst his family was his greatest love, he was also devoted to cycling and was generous in dedicating himself to its success as a sport. But whilst his family was his greatest love, he was also devoted to cycling and was generous in dedicating himself to its success as a sport.
He got his start by accident. His father had intended Keith to become an architect and secured a grant for him to travel by bus to art school every day. But Keith had other ideas, and decided to save the money and buy a bike instead. It was the start of a lifelong enthusiasm. Keith started with local cycling clubs in Kettering, where he was born, and through them learned many aspects of the sport and recreation. As a result he had a very busy life covering all facets of cycling and reached high office in a great many British cycling organisations.
He was a long term member joining in 1980 and a former President (2010) of the world’s oldest cycling club, the Pickwick Bicycle Club, as well as the Pedal Club and the Road Records Association. He was also a Trustee of the Bidlake Memorial Trust, a life Vice President of the Veteran Time Trials Association and received the Gold Badge of Honour presented by Cycling Time Trials. He assisted on many Road Records Association record attempts including the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge by Roy Cromack, Paul Carbutt and twice, John Woodburn.
Keith and Brenda together established Beekay Products in 1962, offering screen-printing services which they taught themselves from books. Beekay became a major supplier of screen printed signs, numbers and memorabilia for cycling events all over Britain as well as The Skol 6 Day race at Wembley, The Grand National, the FA Cup, World Athletics Championships and, for 27 years, the London Marathon.
Keith also managed the Herne Hill Stadium for a period and in 1958 he co-organised the famous “Coppi Meeting” which was the only appearance in Britain of the major Italian cycling superstar, Fausto Coppi. Some 12,000 people packed Herne Hill track that day and the event has been talked about for years since. It was also the first example of what might just be possible for the popularity of cycling in the UK. He proved it so.
Rest in peace Keith
Alan Rushton
Sport for Television
Peter M Swinden 24/11/1935-13/11/2020
A Sporting Tribute by John Taylor
In 1960 Pete did 410m to John’s (Withers) 399m in the Mersey, and John retaliated 5 weeks later with 423m in the North Road 24. In 1961 they broke the MRRA tandem 24hr record with 449.25m, and the Birmingham-Holyhead and back in 15:33:07. Following their MRRA records John rode 403.5m, and Pete 419.7m in a 1962 Mersey 24hr, and in 1963 Pete did a personal best 438.64m in the Mersey. Eager to ride more tandem miles before the 1,000, they attacked their own MRRA Holyhead and back in 1964, taking 45mins off this ‘mountainous’ 304mile record with a time of 14:48:14. They took the MRRA Birmingham-Manchester and back in 7:09:02, and the York and back in 12:09:33.
Their 1000m record of 1964 was a nightmare of pain that seemed to last forever, in and out of the darkness of three nights from 8am the 17th July. The first 24hrs amassed 448 miles through a freezing dawn. With 695-miles ridden in 40.5 hours they were 4.5 hours behind schedule, but 11.5 hours ahead of the record as they rode towards the dawn of a second cold day. With a rising northerly wind, East Anglian roads were used on the way south, to North Road CC 24hr circuits of Baldock and Royston. Before returning from Grantham to the home finishing circuit. Nottingham had to be well marshalled after they complained that their minds were blank, having ridden 945m in 2.5 days.
It is hard to believe that 6 weeks later, Pete rode 419.25m in the North Road 24hr, but John didn’t ride for many months while his saddle area healed. John Withers did however test himself with a 418.6-mile North Road 24hr in 1965.
Eric Wilkinson started them on the 6th June 1966 at 10am, for their attempt on the E-E record. The record to beat was Bailey & Forrest’s 2days-4hrs-48mins, and with Dick Poole’s sub-2day ride in 1965 Pete and John hoped to get close to 2 days. Without dual carriageways or bypasses in the West Country, holiday traffic caused delays where they had to dismount and run through adjoining fields, but still they reached Exeter in 5hrs-36mins, Bristol in 7hrs-15mins, and Worcester 257m in 12hrs, equaling Crimes & Arnold’s speed of 1954.
Dawn was breaking as they left Wigan, and roadside help in Lancashire came from John Arnold, Bailey & Forrest and many riders from the Midlands. Shap was a tough climb to the summit in heavy mist, making the decent very tricky. At 24 hours Carlisle 470 miles was reached by the fastest riders ever to here; still up on schedule they carried on into Lanarkshire where Pete’s knee troubled him again. Barbara had been treating him on and off for nearly 15 hours, so a visit to Perth Royal Infirmary at 6.30am was called for and a doctor diagnosed a cartilage problem saying, “only time will tell.” This stop cost all of their 50-minute gain on schedule as they rode into a cool but dry night in the Grampians. It was also notable that at Perth they were exactly 30-mins faster than Dick Poole in 1965. After a 14-mins sleep at Aviemore, another injection at Inverness was arranged; the Clachnacuddin CC providing a guide to the hospital at 2.10am, the riders having regained a 70-mins lead to here. As they piled into a hot clinic, Pete fell asleep due to a lack of oxygen. The injection was a fiasco as the medic tried to syringe through an Algipan encrusted knee; the syringe broke, and was left dangling in bits from his knee; Pete woke to find this scene, and promptly passed out. He woke again to hear the doctor say they shouldn’t continue in such a state, and Barbara arguing -“I’m his wife, they always look that way at the end of long distance road records - how would you expect to look after riding 700-miles?”
After leaving Inverness they had lost 25-mins, but by forfeiting a scheduled sleep here they were soon 1.5 hours up on time, and despite feeling fragile they covered the last 140-miles in 8.5 hours. From Bonar Bridge they had a wind against them on the way to the coast road, Golspie and over the Ord of Caithness where they battled a crosswind off the sea when climbing Helmsdale. With a dodgy knee, Pete said he might have to walk Berriedale and John told him it was the second hill that he’d just climbed; he then asked Pete to keep him awake, or talk, as he didn’t want to stop and lose more time. John promptly fell asleep, so Pete started singing to him and still he succumbed to sleep. Curiously it didn’t slow them down as he kept pedalling. After 30-mins John came round, saying he’d been in a tunnel all echo’ey, he was also hallucinating and talking all sorts of nonsense. They passed through Wick, and on the finish line at John o’Groats the back tyre exploded with a loud bang as Eric Wilkinson gave them a time of 2days-2hrs-14mins 25sec, the second fastest ever ride after Dick Poole.
A few weeks later Pete, John and Pat Kenny rode the Mersey Roads 24hr. Pete came 4th with 420.78m, John 414.4m, and Pat 408.37 for a team win of 1,243.56m.
One of Pete’s last Merseys in 1968 was a second best mileage of 430.57. Pete & John teamed up for their last MRRA tandem record by taking 34-mins off their own York and back with a time of 11-35-24 in 1968. These records were the last that Pete & John rode; Pete came 4th in the 1970 Mersey with 416m, and a 1973 Mersey of 411m was his last, he was also shot in the arm with an air gun in this event, and Pat rode 403m. Pat Kenny carried on record-breaking, and we spent a lot of time in the 1970s attacking MRRA & RRA tandem trike records, the solo trike End to End in 1980 he rated his best achievement