2nd March 2018
The Charles Arthur Rhodes Memorial Award was recently presented to Hull’s Mike Williams at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Annual Luncheon and Prize Presentation at Scarthingwell Golf Club near Tadcaster. The function was fully booked before the deadline, such was the popularity of Mike and fellow Guest of Honour Baz Breedon, a time trialling champion from the 1960s and a previous holder of the C.A. Rhodes Memorial Award in 1965. Cyclists and supporters came from all over the county and beyond to applaud the achievements of Mike and all the cyclists who were there to receive their trophies for their efforts in the 2017 racing season.
Mike Williams is one of the most hard-working administrators and prolific event organisers in the sport in the county and it is fitting that he has this highest honour bestowed upon him. Mike, a member of Team Swift, felt honoured to be recognised in this way and stated how he enjoyed organising as well as competing. He modestly admitted that his forte was in organisation and administration and although he had not achieved the dizzy heights of some of the champions at the prize presentation, he had always enjoyed his cycling, having started out as a teenager with Hull Thursday Road Club where he remained a member for about 40 years, serving in various official positions including eight years as President.
During recent years Mike has organised, on average, eight time trial events per year - under the guise of Team Swift, Veterans Time Trials Association (VTTA) and Yorkshire Cycling Federation (YCF). He has also organised several National Championships and safeguarded the future of some classic events. His well-regarded annual promotion has been the hugely popular Team Swift Charity 10 miles event near Hull. Over its seven years this event has generated over £20,000 for the Macmillan Nurses charity.
Cycling Time Trials recently awarded Mike their Gold Badge of Honour for services to the sport which he treasures greatly alongside the CA Rhodes award. After some health concerns and a period of enforced recuperation and time off two wheels, 2017 ended up not such a bad year for Mike after all. Yorkshire cyclists owe a lot to Mike for his dedication to the sport and now that appreciation has finally been recognised officially with honours of the highest order.
6th March 2017
Paralympic tandem champions Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby recently received the C A Rhodes Memorial Award for 2016, the first time that the Award has been made to a tandem pair. The occassion again took place at its traditional venue, the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, in recognition Charles Arthur Rhodes founding that organisation in 1932; it was well attended by a large cross section of the Yorkshire cycling community. The Award was made jointly by President of the Trustees John Churchman and the Presenter Melvyn Gibson, who gave his usual entertaining speech whilst also highlighting the significant achievements Steve and Adam.
1st January 2017
The New Year Honours List for 2017 has recognised four recipients of the C A Rhodes Award. The latest recipients, Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby, are both awarded MBE's following their triple success in the Rio Paralympics. 2008 recipient Ed Clancy is now made an OBE (previously MBE) thanks to his continued winning ways at the Rio Olympics. Brian Robinson is awarded the BEM for services to cycling and charity; he was the Rhodes Award winner in 2005 in recognition of the 50th anniversay of him becoming the first British winner of a stage of the Tour de France.
The Trustees congratulate all these winners - Yorkshire is proud of them.
5th December 2016
Acknowledgement - SWPix & British Cycling
29th February 2016
The 2015 Award was presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Annual Luncheon, held on Sunday 28th February at Scarthingwell Golf Club, Barkston Ash, Tadcaster by Melvyn Gibson. Unfortunately due to Lizzie Armitstead's busy schedule as World Road Racing Champion she was unable to attend in person and the Award was received on her behalf by her father, John Armitstead.
In receiving the award John was able to tell us that Lizzie had achieved her first win as reigning world champion the previous day, when she soloed to victory in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium. He went on to read the following message from Lizzie thanking the cyclists of Yorkshire for their ongoing support for her and telling of the tough climbs of the Yorkshire Dales, which are her training ground in preparation for these major events.
"I would like to thank the members of the YCF for this prestigious award. It is a great honour for me to join the likes of Beryl Burton and Brian Robinson and I particularly appreciate an award from Yorkshire, the home to so many enthusiastic cyclists. I always look forward to coming back to Otley and training with the North Leeds chain gang during the week, where I am always made so welcome. I am sure the Yorkshire landscape has also played a great part in my success. If you can set a good pace up Park Rash, Norwood Edge or Otley Chevin there is nothing too daunting elsewhere in the world.
Thank you once again for this award - it really means a lot to me.
Lizzie Armitstead"
6th January 2016
The C.A.Rhodes Memorial Award for 2015 is to be given to Lizzie Armitstead, professional cyclist from Otley, in recognition of her winning the 2015 Women’s World Road Race Championship in addition to the Commonwealth and British titles and the season long World Cup Series. Lizzie previously won the Award in 2010 and becomes only the third person to receive the award more than once in its 55 year history, thus following in the tracks of the legendary Beryl Burton from Morley (1961, 1967, 1978 and 1983) and Doncaster's Kevin Dawson (1992 and 2006).
Arrangements for presentation of the Award will be announced in due course.
The Trustees also congratulate Bob Howden on his being awarded the OBE in the New Year Honours. Bob is President of British Cycling (among many other duties) and received the C A Rhodes Award in 2013.
6th December 2015
The Trustees met 0n 15th November to consider nominations for the 2015 Award. It is hoped to make an announcement shortly.
The Trustees would also like to congratulte Gary Verity, the 2014 CA Rhodes Award recipient, on the awarding of a knighthood in the Queen's birthday honours. Well deserved, Sir Gary.
The 2014 Award was made to Gary Verity today at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Luncheon, held at Scarthingwell Golf Club, near Tadcaster. Gary needed no introduction to the many long time cyclists present, but Trustee Melvyn Gibson outlined the massive contribution which he had made to Yorkshire cycling by his masterminding of the Tour de France Grand Départ.
In a very entertaining response Gary described the process by which the event was secured for Yorkshire and how he won the French organisers over to all things Yorkshire - from our "petit chiens" (Yorkshire terriers), our Yorkshire puddings, but mostly the magnificent Yorkshire scenery and our passion for cycling. He then went on to outline the plans for the forthcoming Tour de Yorkshire, which in the safe hands of Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sports Organisation cannot fail to be an outstanding success.
26th December 2014
The C.A.Rhodes Memorial for 2014 is to be made to Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire, in recognition of his conceiving of and masterminding the Yorkshire Grand Départ of the Tour de France
The memorial was instigated in 1961 as a tribute to the memory of Charles Arthur Rhodes (1895-1961) doyen of the Yorkshire Road Club, co-founder in 1932 of the Yorkshire Cycling Federation and a nationally recognised timekeeper and administrator. The Award is regarded as the greatest distinction Yorkshire Cycling can bestow.
The award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Annual Luncheon on the 22nd February 2015.
C. A. RHODES AWARD NEWS
Medallists Steve Bate (L) and Adam Duggleby (R) flanked by Rhodes Trustees (L to R) Melvyn Gibson, Bryan Peel, Elaine Ward, John Churchman and Mike Penrice
26th December 2018
MELVYN GIBSON
22nd January 1944 - 3rd June 2018
Very sadly Melvyn Gibson - a long standing, much respected and hard working C. A. Rhodes Trustee - died suddenly whilst
cycling with his wife Hazel near Wighill, Wetherby on 3rd June 2018.
At the time of his passing Mel had been a Trustee for almost 30 years and had been the Trust's Defender since 2004 and both
Defender and Presenter since 2014, tasks which he carried out with ability and humour. Mel had an intimate knowledge of the
non-competitive side of cycling but he took pride in the achievements of Yorkshire cyclists from all branches of the sport and
pastime and provided a balance to the deliberations of the Trustee when deciding on the Award. Mel will be missed by all who
knew him.
2018 AWARD TO BE MADE TO DAVID HALL
Yorkshire cycling has formally recognised David Hall, a leading visionary in the need to promote sustainable transport such as cycling, by provision of cycle paths and other infrastructure.
David Hall was Yorkshire Regional Director of Sustrans for 20 years from 1994, responsible for conceiving, constructing and management of projects as part of the National Cycle Network. During that period Sustrans had offices in both Leeds and York and developed schemes throughout the county. Their most notable successes were the Spen Valley Greenway (Bradford to Dewsbury), the Nidderdale Greenway (Harrogate to Ripley), the Great Northern Rail Trail (Cullingworth to Queensbury, yet to be completed) and the Wetherby to Newton Kyme Railway Path. As a part of their work Sustrans reopened dormant railway viaducts at Nidd (Harrogate), Earlsheaton, Colne Bridge, West Vale (Halifax), Cullingworth, Hewenden, Thornton, Whitby and at Chain Bar (Cleckheaton), where the viaduct crosses 14 lanes of the M62. All of these projects have breathed new life into redundant facilities and have benefitted surrounding communities by providing easily accessible and safe routes for cycling and walking as an alternative to car transport.
David also led Sustrans co-operation with partners on the Trans Pennine Trail, the Way of the Roses, the York Milennium Bridge, the York Strays routes and the "Big Red Bridge" over Manchester Road in Bradford, which provides a safe road crossing for hundreds of school children. In addition Sustrans managed behaviour change projects to encourage cycling, by working with local schools, colleges and universities.
Many people were caught up in David's passion for Sustrans work. He enlisted support from local authority officers, community groups, schools, cycling enthusiasts and organisations, heritage and nature conservation experts and, most importantly, volunteers. David modestly gives credit to all of these for Sustrans successes and considers himself very lucky to have been appointed as Sustrans Regional Director during such as exciting period of cycling promotion and development across the UK.
The C. A. Rhodes Award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, to be held on Sunday 24th February 2019.
29th September 2022
MANDY PARKER RECEIVES THE AWARD
After several delays the presentation of the C. A. Rhodes Memorial Award for 2021 was able to be made to Mandy Parker last Saturday (24th September) at the new cycle circuit racing facility at Wyke Sports Village, Bradford. The occasion was the finale of the White Rose Youth League - a series of events for under 16 boys and girls and which is hosted at various circuits throughout Yorkshire. This was an appropriate venue for the presentation as Mandy is very closely involved in this League organisation and her boundless enthusiasm for children's cycling was largely instrumental in the creation of the Wyke circuit.
The Trustees were delighted to have the opportunity to publicly recognise Mandy's hard work for the sport and those who have not visited this venue before were impressed with the facility and all that it promises for the future of the sport in Yorkshire.
Photograph right shows Mandy receiving her framed copy of the citation from John Chirchman, President of the Trustees. Other Trustees present were Mike Penrice, Bryan Peel, Chris Goode and Marc Etches.
Thanks to Bernard Marsden for the photography; more of which can be viewed at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8XHN
APOLOGY FROM THE WEBSITE MANAGER
This site has been migrated following takeover of our website host. It's a new bespoke editting system so apologies for the untidiness. Hopefully I can get to grips with it soon.
C. A. RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD
The Trustees annual meeting took place on 6th November and it was unanimously agreed that the Award for 2016 be made to Yorkshire's two Rio de Janeiro Paralympics multi-medal winning heroes, Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby.
Riding in the B/VI tandem racing category they brought exceptional honour to Yorkshire cycling, winning two gold and one bronze medal. In their preparation they also broke men's tandem competition records at both 10 and 25 miles.
Originally from New Zealand Steve Bate (39) was living in north east Scotland when talent spotted for the BC squad. He now resides in Hebden Bridge, where he relocated specifically to pursue his Rio Paralympics tandem cycling ambitions. Prior to taking up cycle racing he was a climber of note and with only 10% vision in 2013 he became the first visually impaired solo climber to conquer the 3000ft sheer rock face of El Capitan in Yosemite, California.
Adam Duggleby (32) is originally from Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire, but now lives in Leeds. He has been a racing cyclist since the age of 13, winning numerous local and national awards, with a break whilst he went to university where he successfully graduated in mathematics and accounting.
The C.A.Rhodes Award will be presented at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, to be held on 26th February 2017.
31st December 2021
MANDY PARKER OF EAST BRADFORD CC TO COLLECT THE C. A. RHODES AWARD FOR 2021
The Trustees were able to meet face-to-face in November. It has been a good year for Yorkshire cyclists at the highest level with former Award winners Lizzie Deignan triumphing in the inaugural Women's Paris-Roubaix and Tom Pidcock winning the MTB title at the Tokyo Olympics. In total there were eight different nominations and after discussing the merits of each the Trustees were unanimous in offering the Award to Mandy Parker. Mandy has been a hard worker in promoting and supporting grass roots cycling , most specifically for children, in the Leeds/Bradford area and throughout the county and has set hundreds of young riders on a path of enjoyment of cycling.
It is hoped to present the Award to Mandy at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation Luncheon at Pontefract on 27th February 2022, covid restrictions permitting.
17th November 2021
PRESENTATION OF C. A. RHODES POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE PETE READ
The Trustees are pleased to announce that after a number of covid enforced cancellations we have at last managed to
present the award to Pete’s sons, Julian and Matthew.
The event took place on the 21st of August at Courtyard Café which was the event HQ for the VTTA National 30 Mile
Championship time trial which was organised by one of our Trustees, Mike Penrice. We arranged to present the award
just before the presentation of the championship awards.
The outdoor covered area at the Courtyard Café provided shelter from the rain and it was full of riders, marshals and
supporters . The C. A. Rhodes Award books, which contain photographs and copies of the citations, were on display
and they were attracting lots of attention with people recalling memories of former recipients. After a short introduction
by President John Churchman the Presenter Mike Williams made a short speech in which he mentioned how Pete did
not like to be in the spotlight and how modest and humble he was.
The presentation was made to Julian and Matthew and they said how proud they were to receive this award and offered thanks to the C. A. Rhodes Committee for recognising the contribution that their father had made to Yorkshire Cycling.
16th January 2021
C. A. RHODES AWARD FOR 2020 TO BE MADE TO TOM PIDCOCK AND A POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO PETE READ
The Trustees met online in November 2020 to consider the Award. Despite cycling activity being severely restricted during the year, due to the pandemic, Leeds lad Tom Pidcock continued his rise to international stardom and is to receive the Annual Award. Also, early in 2020 Yorkshire and UK cycling mourned the passing of Pete Read and a special Posthumous Award is to made in acknowledgement of his contribution to scientific coaching methods. It is hoped to be able to complete both award ceremonies during 2021 at suitable venues.
14th January 2020 (updated 8th March)
BEN SWIFT, SOUTH YORKSHIRE'S WORLD TOUR PRO RIDER, NAMED AS 2019 WINNER OF THE C. A. RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD
Yorkshire cycling has formally recognised one of the most versatile and successful of the current generation of international road and track cyclists - Ben Swift. The Award specifically recognises Ben's victory in the British Road Race Championship held on 30th June at Norwich.
Rotherham-born Ben, now aged 32, has been a constant on the Yorkshire cycling scene for very many years. He now resides in Sheffield, although his riding commitments with the all-conquering Team Ineos and as a member of the GB team take him all over the world. His first race, when only 3, was a children's cyclo-cross at Rother Valley Country Park and he raced regularly throughout Yorkshire and beyond from that early age; he developed a passion for cycle racing, initially cyclo-cross and BMX, but then graduating to both road and track and he has enjoyed outstanding successes. He won gold in the scratch race at 2012 track world championship, backed up by silvers in both the points race and the madison, and can harness that track speed to the frantic dashes at the finish of international road races such as the European classics or the Grand Tours.
On the road he has collected numerous stage wins in multi day races, has achieved 3rd and 2nd places in the Milan-San Remo one day classic, 5th in the World Road Championship in Bergen, Norway, and 2nd and ultimately 1st in the British National Road Race Championship.
As a strong sprinter and domestique Ben has competed twice in all three Grand Tours - France, Italy and Spain. He epitomises all that is admirable about Yorkshire racing cyclists and by his many achievements he has brought exceptional honour to Yorkshire.
The C. A. Rhodes Award was formally announced by Mike Williams at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation annual luncheon, held on Sunday 23rd February 2020 at Pontefract. Unfortunately team responsibilities meant that Ben was racing in the Tour of the Algarve at that time, so the Trustees hope to meet up with him later in the year.
28th February 2019
The Charles Arthur Rhodes Memorial Award was recently presented to David Hall, Yorkshire Regional Director of Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, from 1994 to 2014.
The presentation was ably made at the Yorkshire Cycling Federation luncheon at South Milford by new Trustee Mike Williams, last year’s winner, following an introduction by President John Churchman. The Guest of Honour was Sir Gary Verity, CEO of Welcome to Yorkshire and who was himself a previous recipient of this prestigious award in 2014. Indeed, it was notable that there was a total of nine previous recipients present at the ceremony, including 2005 winner Brian Robinson, the in the 1950s became the first Briton to complete the Tour de France and the first to win a stage and himself a Sustrans volunteer, and 1965 winner Bas Breedon, 25 and 50 miles national champion and competition record holder.
David gave an entertaining acceptance speech highlighting the trials and tribulations of persuading reluctant farmers to hand over strips of vitally important land to achieve a cohesive cycle network. As a keen enthusiast of the local history of Headingley he had also clearly been researching the early days of Charles Arthur Rhodes and their possible shared schooling (albeit many years apart). Above all David is passionate about providing cycling facilities on the basis that if safe routes are provided their use will grow, as ordinary people discover cycling, whether simply as a mode of transport or as a leisure activity.