C. A. RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD
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and Sheffrec Cycling Club
RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARD - 1990 TO 1999
In recognition and by virtue of his magnificent services to Yorkshire cycling for almost seventy years.
Eric Brearley, now 85 years of age, started cycling in 1922 and being smitten he joined the Cyclists’ Touring Club in 1925. He is a founder member of the Halifax Section of the West Yorkshire (formerly Mid-Yorkshire) DA of the club, which was formed in 1928; he was President of the Section from 1931 to 1934 and from 1946 to 1955, as well as carrying out other offices.
He has served on the DA committee from 1934 until 1939 and from 1948 until the present time, having been President for three years and Treasurer for 29 years.
Eric has also served on the York Rally committee for many years and has upheld the interests of cycling on the National Rights Network, the CPRE, Hardcastle Craggs Preservation Society, the National Trust and in particular the Halifax Road Safety Committee and helping “Access for the Disabled”.
He has organised the Halifax Oldtimers Reunion for 40 of its 55 years. Amongst numerous awards he has received over the years is the CTC Certificate of Merit, received in 1979.
A champion of the cyclist’s cause, Eric Brearley’s inquisitive nature and typically Yorkshire persistence has on many occasions assisted the interests of all cyclists.
1990 - Eric Brearley
In recognition by virtue of his competitive and managerial achievements and as a superb ambassador for Yorkshire cycling over many years.
Keith Lambert commenced cycling when he joined Bradford Elite CC in 1960 as a 13 year old. As an amateur he broke all the club records from 10 miles to 12 hours and also became West Yorkshire Divisional Road Race Champion.
He enjoyed most success as a professional. He turned professional in 1972 for Falcon Cycles, transferring to Holdsworth-Campagnolo, before continuing with Viking-Campagnolo, R.J.Chicken, Falcon Cycles and finally in 1987 for WaterTech-Dawes. He became National Professional Road Race Champion in 1974 and 1980 and National Professional Criterium Champion in 1983. He represented Great Britain in the World Championship Road Race on eight occasions.
He became manager of the PMS-Dawes team in 1988, continued to manage the PMS-Falcon team in 1989 and Banana-Falcon in 1990 and 1991. His teams gained much success and in 1991 had over 40 team victories including individual and team successes in the Milk Race and awards in Europe and Australia.
1991 - Keith Michael Lambert
In recognition on account of his achievement in winning the RTTC BBAR.
At the age of 22 years Kevin Dawson, of GS Strada – M&M Conservatories, achieved every time triallist’s ambition and won the British Best All Rounder Competition.
In 1991, when with the Askern CC, he finished runner up and went one better in 1992 with an average speed of 26.777mph – achieving rides of 1.43.11 (50 miles), 3.43.51 (100 miles) and a magnificent 293.428 (12 hour). The 12 hours distance was the second highest ever achieved in competition.
Kevin Dawson started racing four seasons ago when he was eighteen years of age. He is the first Yorkshireman to win the BBAR since 1970 and has brought high esteem for Yorkshire cycling.
1992 - Kevin Dawson
Trevor Wilkinson, a former Trustee of the Memorial, died on 24th August 1992 after a short illness.
When twenty years old he joined the Birdwell Wheelers and soon became the racing secretary and later the general secretary. For 31 years he was on the committee of the North Midlands DC, serving 28 years as a timekeeper, 18 as a handicapper, with surveying skills ensuring accurate measured miles. He organised more than sixty events including nine National Championships, two being at 24 hours. He was involved with the NMCF 12 Hours for forty years and the Mersey Roads 24 Hours since 1967. An active member of the Yorkshire VTTA, he was a founder member of the North Midlands Group and was its only Recorder.
The RoSPA Cycling Proficiency Scheme, the BCF North Midlands road races and track championships, the RRA and NRRA all benefitted from his expertise.
A “middle marker” whose best 25 miles time was 1.4.45, he was proud of his tenth position in the NMCF 12 Hours in 1960 with 224.095 miles. His racing ended with arthritis problems but he cycled for pleasure until he became ill, latterly riding over 6000 miles a year.
There are few who have put so much into the sport of cycling and Trevor will be long remembered for his contributions.
1992 - Trevor Wilkinson (Posthumous Award)
In special recognition for his services to cycling over many years, including the creation, organisation and competition in The Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race.
John Rawnsley has been a stalwart in the Yorkshire Cyclo-Cross Association, being on the committee since its foundation in 1959 and President since 1981.
He has nurtured and coached young riders including three National Champions, he held the Pennine Way Cycle Record from 1976 to 1978 (2days 23hrs 27mins), he was 4 times North of England Veteran Cyclo-Cross Champion and 4 times silver medallist in the National Veterans Championships.
He achieved the Service to Sport Award in 1992 for the Yorkshire and Humberside Area and in 1993 was elected life member of the BCCA.
John has organised many cyclo-cross races and created and organised the Yorkshire Dales Triathlon from 1984 to 1990.
However his greatest achievement concerns the Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race. Being instrumental in its creation in 1961 he has organised and competed in each of the 33 years of the event. The Peaks is acknowledged as the most prestigious cyclo-cross race nationally and John’s endeavours have brought great honour to Yorkshire cycling.
1993 - John Rawnsley
In special recognition of her elevation to the elite class of ladies cycling in 1994, upholding the Yorkshire tradition of top class lady racing cyclists.
After 18 years of running and triathlons Yvonne began cycling in 1991 and in 1993 she achieved RTTC Ladies National Championship wins at 10, 50 and 100 miles.
However 1994 was a momentous year for her, winning the Ladies British Best All Rounder Championship with times of 55-41 (25 miles), 1-55-00 (50 miles) and 3-57-34 (100 miles) – an average speed of 26.094 mph – and becoming National Champion at 10 miles and 50 miles with championship records of 21-48 and 1-55-00 respectively.
In her second ever pursuit on the track she won the national title, finishing with a championship record of 3-54.461. This was improved to 3-49.312 (national record) when riding against World Champion Marion Clignet at the Manchester Velodrome.
In a fairytale ending to the season Yvonne won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria in the 25 km points race, when she lapped the field, and she also won a bronze medal in the team time trial.
Yvonne’s magnificent achievements have together with her pleasant and jovial temperament brought great honour to Yorkshire cycling.
In recognition and by virtue of attaining international status as a racing cyclist over a period of almost twenty years.
Born in Huddersfield and later living near York, Peter started cycling in the early 1970’s, joining the Clifton CC. A selection for Great Britain in the Junior World Championships in 1977 started a career during which he won 44 national medals, spent a year competing in France, finished the Milk Race on ten occasions, collected national time trial records and scored victories in practically every British road classic as well as representing Great Britain in the World Championships on five occasions.
Peter moved to VC York, then to Manchester Wheelers and is now with North Wirral Velo.
Peter’s best season was in 1990 when he won a Commonwealth Games Team Time Trial bronze medal and was fifth in the road race, broke the RTTC 25 mile record with 49-13, won the RTTC National 100 Mile Championship with 3-51-25 and also achieved the RRA 50 mile record with 1-30-50.
At the age of 35 a fitting climax was to attain a Commonwealth Games silver medal for England in the team time trial in Victoria.
His contribution to cycling and the honour brought by him to Yorkshire makes this very popular cyclist well worthy of this Award.
1995 - Peter Longbottom
The Court of Trustees has adjudged David John Rayner worthy of special recognition following his tragic death, on account of his achievements as a racing cyclist and his personality as “everyone’s best friend”.
Born of a cycling family, David started racing at the age of 12 years in ESCA events. He joined East Bradford CC and later Bradford Wheelers, becoming British Junior Road Race Champion in 1984 during a season based in Italy.
His career progressed and he won the Young Rider Award in the Milk Race in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
In 1988 he turned professional with Yugo-Interent and moved to Raleigh-Banana in 1989. In 1990 he rode with Falcon-Banana, winning the Scottish Provident City Centre Series, and in 1991 and 1992 he raced with success in continental classics with the Dutch Buckler team.
He moved to IME Healthcare in the USA in 1993 and to LEX-Townsend in 1994, winning the Eurotunnel Grand Prix.
During his career David has represented Great Britain four times in the World Championships at junior, amateur and professional levels.
He is remembered as a fun loving character. Jan Raas said “He was a good team mate for everyone".
David’s sad and untimely death was a loss to all cyclists who considered him a best friend and an excellent ambassador for Yorkshire Cycling.
1994 - David John Rayner (Posthumous Award)
In recognition by virtue of having been keenly involved in cycling as administrators, competitors of a high standard and as touring cyclists for almost 40 years.
Racing for over 25 years, Keith attained sixth place in the Yorkshire BAR and was highly placed in the British BAR.
As a member of Morley CC Joyce won team medals in 1964 in the BBAR and in two National Championships. In 1994 when 50 years old Joyce cycled with Keith from Lands End to John O’Groats.
Keith and Joyce have made most impact as administrators over many years, organising events for Farsley & District CC, Otley CC, the Harrogate Festival and Yorkshire Ladies CA including three National Championships and acting as time keepers, handicappers and course measurers.
Keith was RTTC District Secretary for ten years from 1976, District Chairman from 1986 to 1996 and has been on the RTTC National Committee since 1984.
Joyce served on the RTTC district committee for 15 years from 1981 and now organises the annual “blue riband” BBAR Champions Night.
This teamwork has resulted in Keith and Joyce achieving so much together and bringing honour and respect to Yorkshire cycling.
1996 - Keith and Joyce Webb
Jonathan Clay was born in 1963 into a cycling family. When nine years old he completed his first 10 mile time trial in 32m 42s. Following years of improvement he successfully raced as an amateur in France in 1984 and 1985. In 1986 he took second place in the National Amateur Road Race Championship and was 21st in the World Championship Road Race.
He turned professional in 1987, eventually joining the Manchester Phoenix in 1997. His successes include seventh place in the 1988 Milk race, winner of the Scottish Provident City Centre Race Series and overall winner of the 4 day Tour of Lancashire.
Joining Team Orange in 1993 he turned some of his attention to mountain bike racing, achieving fourth place in the National Championship and in 1994 he rode for Great Britain in the World Championships.
In 1995 he became National Pro Criterium Champion and won the National Open Track Championship Points Race and had placings in the omnium and pursuit. In 1996 he was a member of the National Pursuit Team which took seventh place in the World Championships with a new British record time of 4 mins 12.558 secs.
1997 - Jonathan Clay
Born in 1964, Chris Young started cycling when 14 years old, his first victory being a criterium in 1979. His forte has been cyclo cross and mountain bike racing.
During the period 1979 to 1998 he represented Great Britain more than 50 times, competed in the World Championships ten times and achieved fourth place in the World Junior Cyclo Cross Championships in 1981. He has been North of England Cyclo Cross Champion on nine occasions and the National Champion twice.
On his mountain bike he has won the NEMBA MTB Series five times and the NAMBS series four times.
Chris has also been an accomplished competitor on the road, winning various events and been involved in a 98 mile breakaway in the gruelling Tour of Britain race in 1992. His latest victory was the Ellis Briggs Road Race in 1997.
1998 - Chris Young
Christine Minto started cycling in 1958 with her only club, the Birdwell Wheelers. She started racing in 1959, missing only one year since. In 1967, 1968 and 1969 she achieved Competition Records of 409.420 and 426 miles at 24 hours and has qualified 30 times for a BAR certificate, attaining 15th place in 1970. In 1997 she started tandem racing, holding seven VTTA Age Records. In 1999 she gained two National Competition Records at 10 and 30 miles on a tandem tricycle. She also holds seven VTTA Age Records on solo tricycle.
Frank Minto began cycling in 1947, joining his only club Conisbrough Ivanhoe CC in 1948 and being Club Chairman from 1957. He has competed over the years riding all distances up to 12 hours.
He became an RTTC National Committee Member in 1971, taking the onerous task of National Competitions and Records Secretary from 1977 to 1999, and has now been re-elected to the National Committee.
Over a period of 40 years Frank and Christine have been officers of many cycling bodies, have promoted many open events including a GHS National Final and have acted as timekeepers and course measurers. Christine has written over 10,500 awards for the RTTC alone.
However their principal cycling love is touring, mainly in the British Isles and particularly in Scotland.
As a husband and wife team they have rendered signal service to the furtherance of cycling in Yorkshire, at the same time gaining great enjoyment from the sport, and they are fully worthy of this Award.
He serves on the boards of the Professional Cycling Association and as a standing committee member of the BCF Professional Racing Committee.
This Award is made as a tribute to Keith Lambert’s achievements and also in recognition of his sporting conduct and quiet yet determined nature, which has made him an excellent ambassador for Yorkshire cycling.
1994 - Yvonne McGregor
1997 brought further national and international honours, including winning the sixth stage of the Tour of Sweden, competing in the pursuit team which won a World Cup event in Athens and his winning the RTTC National 10 Miles Time Trial Championship.
His racing career has included 99 wins in road, circuit, mountain bike racing and time trials and he is now starting his second term of office as a member of the BCF Executive Board. This Award pays tribute to his determination and success in all types of racing and for his willingness to serve our sport in the administrative field.
He was victorious in the Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Race in 1994, 1997 and 1998 as well as having numerous placings.
Chris first joined the Pennine CC, then moving to the Bradford RCC. He turned professional in 1989 with Ever Ready-Halfords and was a member of various professional teams before joining Pace Satellite TV team in 1996, whom he still represents.
His achievements speak for themselves but in addition Chris is a very approachable and friendly cyclist. This Award pays tribute to his many cycling achievements over his long and successful career.
1999 - Frank and Christine Minto