Cyclists will form a guard of honour outside Cambridge Crematorium tomorrow (Wednesday) for the funeral of cycling legend Mike Gough, 65, who died last month after a crash involving a Ford Transit in George Street, Huntingdon. Neil Thomas, who is arranging the funeral, says cyclists are welcome to “wear red or white as per ‘Roadies Cycles’ logo, or green and blue as Mike was proud of his Scottish heritage.
“But truly the important thing is to be there as Mike would love the fact that cyclists turn out whatever they are wearing”.
Mike was the owner of Roadies Cycles in Hartford, Huntingdonshire, and much-loved by the community.
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson leads tributes to cyclist Mike Gough of Huntingdon
Friends say he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things cycling from policy to sport and was an expert mechanic, tackling everything from school holiday tune-ups to bespoke racing bike builds.
One of the founder members of Hunts Walking & Cycling group, he was an enthusiastic advocate for more cycle infrastructure and safer streets and enjoyed sharing his love of cycling with others at cycle events and on local social rides.
He also had fans across the country thanks to his passionate posts on Twitter.
Mike Gough was the owner of Roadies Cycles in Hartford, Huntingdonshire, and much-loved by the communityJohn Morris, and others from the Huntingdon Walking and Cycling Club, said some would be cycling to the crematorium at Dry Drayton, meeting at 1.30pm for a 1.45pm departure ahead of the funeral which is timed for 4pm.
Mr Morris is hoping fellow cyclists will meet at the Godmanchester Chinese Bridge and reminds those joining him “we need to allow plenty of time for a 30mph headwind, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning and to fix a puncture or two!
“Distance is 17 miles going via the busway cycle path.”
Mr Thomas said cyclists attending the crematorium will form a guard of honour “and line the beautiful driveway at the Cambridge crematorium so the hearse can drive between the cyclists, and all can pay their respects to Mike”.
When will fine words be turned into action by @CambsCC? Far too many people killed and injured on our roads in Cambridgeshire each year. @johnelworthy @huntspost #RoadSafety #saferstreets @dottymcl @BBCCambs @RantyHighwayman @cyclisethecity pic.twitter.com/lFXGtG4Jv6
— John Morris (@johnmbrampton) April 30, 2024
He says all cyclists are more than welcome to stay for the service but for those preferring to stay outside the chapel, there is an external screen and speakers “so you can watch the service from the garden but please know you are welcome inside”.
Cycle buddies are also welcome to attend a Yorkshire Tea & cake morning at Holly Lodge Café, Huntingdon, on Saturday 4th May at 11:00, to share stories of Mike.
Mr Morris has described Mike Gough as “forever championing the importance of road safety for human beings who use pedal cycles as a means of transport, both locally and nationally.
“The final post from Mike on his Facebook page a few days before he was killed is so poignant.”
In it Mr Gough had posted on his personal Facebook page ‘sadly another one’ after Denise Hind, 63, from Sparrowhawk Way, Hartford, died from her injuries following a crash with a white lorry on the A1123 – the Huntingdon to St Ives road.
FOOTNOTE
The 73-year-old Ford Transit driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has been bailed to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station in June.
