Characters and heroes on two wheels
ANYONE travelling along the Thame to Longwick Road on Boxing day, might be forgiven for thinking that they may still be under the influence of the liquid festive cheer they had indulged in the day before.
For they are quite likely to find themselves sharing the highway with some very strange-looking characters on bicycles.
But fear not oh Christmas traveller, for most likely ’tis only members of Wycombe Cycling Club, taking part in their traditional 11 mile time trial for which many of them will be donning fancy dress!
On a more serious note, the club, which includes several members from Thame, recently learned of the death of their elder statesman, Jack Pearson. He was 96 years old and had been a member of the Club since 1927, almost one of the founding fathers and certainly the longest serving – a record unlikely to be ever repeated.
According the Club’s present President, Gordon Wright, Jack Pearson was an accomplished hard track and grass track rider with a feared reputation. This picture shows him in a commanding position on the front inside, at the Palmer Park cylce track in 1931.
Jack was Club president from around 1964 until 1983 and was a Club time keeper from around 1957 to 1983.
He took every opportunity to join members of the club whenever he could and was infact a guest at the Club’s recent annual dinner and presentation evening just days before he passed away.
