News: Rob Jefferies Remembrance Ride

Eamonn Deane writes … On a chilly, damp, Bank Holiday Monday, over 70 cyclists turned out to show their respect for the late Rob Jefferies. They filled the chain link ferry across to Shell Bay, where even more were waiting. Rob’s widow, Jane and Daughter Eve had bravely come out to ride. Jane admits to being “not very fit” but, complete with basket on her “sit up and beg” she led the bunch across Studland Heath.

The weather closed in but riding along, sharing tales of Rob, spirits were lifted, cyclists are a resilient lot, of course they are, it goes with the territory. Dropping down into Swanage, where Rob lived, the bunch came to a halt at the pier. More tales were told, a few photographs were taken and, cyclists being cyclists a few cups of tea were drunk.

It was a fitting tribute to a very popular man. Well done to Chris Ball, who, touched by the loss of a “very close friend” who pulled this ride together. Several of the group had ridden the Hounslow 100 the day before but still found the legs to pay their dues to the Big Man.

“See you up the Road Rob”
Eve And Jane Jefferies.

See more pictures from the ride here


Dedications to Rob Jefferies

The gentle giant, Rob Jefferies, loved and appreciated by so many for his work in cycling, has been killed whilst riding his bike.

I’ve known Rob for many years and he was a great guy, passionate about our sport in ways few can imagine. It is such a sad sad loss to the sport and the world, a tragic event and our thoughts go out to his family, wife and and child. Thanks big Rob for brightening up my day when ever we met. Rob was one of the characters in the sport, loved his track racing and did lots of everything for the sport.

Right: Photo by Eamonn Deane — Rob doing what he loved, riding his bike.

You could not help but be happy around Rob, he was that sort of bloke who found humour in so much. He lived for his sport and now, after reportedly being hit from behind by a car, Rob has lost his life doing what he loved. Rob — you are going to be missed more than you know. A pillar of the sport and one who’s contribution is priceless. Rest in Peace.

Anyone else who like to add a memory of Rob, please contact us so we can add it here. Contact VeloUK with your dedication

God Bless Rob.

Dedications

Eamonne Dean: “I spoke at length with Rob just last Sunday at the Dorset Rough Riders MTB event. I was taking photographs, Rob was Commissaire. He had ridden the Wessex 50 mile TT that morning and recorded 2.03.11. He was enjoying a good start to his season having ridden a PB for 25 in a club event the week before.

Rob talked about his hopes for the future; he had left his job with British Cycling and was hoping to get a teaching job. It was a “courageous move” he told me but he was sure it was the right move for him. We talked about the new Bournemouth Track, due to open next month. Track was Rob’s real passion and he spoke enthusiastically about the prospect of track racing on his doorstep. We shared a table at the Poole Wheelers dinner in the winter and he spoke of nothing else. It’s very difficult to know what to say. Above is a pic of Rob in the EDCA 24 last month. See you up the road Rob.”

Ann Owens: “Devastating news – a big guy in every way  – he will  be so missed”

Ian Cleverly at Rouleur “I was riding back with Rob from the Tour de France in ’94 after it had passed through the Ashdown Forest. We ambled along at a sociable pace, chatting away, and passed another rider, saying hello as we went. Our man, with some considerable effort, upped his pace and latched onto the back, sitting in and saying nothing. I wasn’t particularly bothered but Rob, without saying so, was clearly irked. The pace gradually increased until, at the limit of my abilities, I was forced to drop behind the big fella and hang on.

Our interloper hung in there for a few more miles before inevitably losing touch, but Rob had the bit between his teeth and was in the mood to smash it. I clung on for dear life up Titsey Hill, then tucked in nice and tight for the long descent into Croydon at a pace I had never before – or since -  ridden.

Thank you, Rob, for the most exciting 20 miles of my life, for the humour, for your dedication to the sport and for your lust for life. You are a genuine one-off.”

Anthony McCrossan from CyclevoxA big bloke, who loved cycling and did so much for events and the sport. Always a gentleman, always said hello and shared a laugh.  What a sad loss.  RIP”

Steve Benton “RIP Rob Jefferies – Such tragic news. I remember Rob from Track Nationals at Leicester in the late ’80’s. He always seemed to put as much energy into shouting on and supporting others as he did when riding Kilos and that was quite something.”

Dave Le Grys I am going to miss you so much Rob, you were a big man, a bit of a nutter but a smashing all round bloke. I hope there is a tailwind where ever you are RIP big man

Frances Newstead “Such sad news. My thoughts are with Rob’s family. Another tragic loss to the cycling world.”

Simon HallA big man with a big heart that punched an even bigger hole in the air to follow in, but this is no where near as big as the hole now left in cycling with your loss. Thanks for all the advice and words over the years and it was a pleasure to ride round the Dorset Coast with you and share some great times on the track. Our thoughts go out to your family RIP Big Man x”

Sarah Hooper “I can’t say I knew Rob all that well as I only met him a couple of times. One of those times though was when he taught the Road Commissaire course which I was on. Thanks to him I now help out at races in the Regional Commissaire role and give back to the sport. Thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Rob.”

Peter Metalli “I spent Monday evening with Rob at a BC regional Board meeting and he was just as involved as ever. Not only has Rob proved himself over the years as a cyclist, he has also contributed to the sport in so many other ways. He personally trained me as Road Commissaire along with hundreds of others. He was  a “demon” on the track but one of the nicest guys you could ever want to meet when off it. A sad loss to the region, to cycling in general and of course to his family and friends but also to anyone who had the pleasure to meet him.  RIP Rob”

Adam Wykes “I was only riding with Rob on Weds night on the way back from the club 10. He was telling me of his plans to ride the masters this July. I first met Rob at the Nationals in 89, when he partnered up with Jon Rider to ride the Tandem sprint. I didn’t see him for a while then met him again down here in Poole when I started racing again and couldn’t believe he was living down here too. We spent many hours on the track and road together and will miss him terribly comparing our weight! He was a real character and easy company. My heart goes out to his family. RIP Rob.”

Bryce Dyer : “RIP Rob Jefferies – I was with Rob when the tragic accident happened yesterday. We were on our way home from training together and we were chatting whilst I was (as per usual) soaking up a lifetimes experiences from one of the biggest guys and gentlest people you could ever meet in the sport. We were both looking forward to next months masters track championships and he talked with passion towards the iminent opening of the new velodrome in Bournemouth. A split second later and he was gone. A huge tragedy that many of us (both locally and nationally) will take a while to put into context, such was his impact and infectious enthusiasm for cycling. A loss beyond words.”

Dave Luscombe: Comments: I am stunned and literally speachless at this news. I met Rob when he and I attended the same meetings at Sport England.  He worked in cycling and I worked in motorcycle sport.  We became good friends and I rode with Rob in Dorset and he came to visit and ride with me in Derbyshire.

We both left our employers at the same time and spent hours comparing experiences and planning our new careers – he was to be a teacher and would have made a bloody great one too! I’ve sat at home and cried on hearing this news.  Working in motorcycle sport you get used to loosing friends in accidents: we ran the TT for gods sake; but you sort of expect it.

That isnt the case in cycling and certainly not in such a pointless, tragic and stupid way.  Why?  Why Rob? God I’ll miss you fella.  RIP big lad

Ian Chatfield (Regional Competition Administrator, British Cycling Central Region “… such a tradegy, a man that has done so much for the sport, writing and organising training courses for Organisers and Commissaires and has helped Central Region in progressing so many people. Through this he became a personal friend and although he recently left BC, still remained a good one. I am finding it difficult to understand and will miss him and wish to pass on my condolences to Jane, Eve and the rest of his family from myself and British Cycling Central Region.

Rachel Hedley :”I first met Rob when he was riding for De Laune CC. He introduced me to the gentle art of roller racing in the De Laune Clubroom in Choumert Road Peckham. I was very nervous but egged on by various club members decided to give it a go. Rob offered to hold the bike so I asked him what for some advice as to what to do. “Focus,” came the reply. Sound advice, focus was what made Rob such a great bike rider.

I was so sorry to hear of Rob’s death in these tragic circumstances and my thoughts go out to Jane, George, Eve and all his many friends who are reeling from the shock.  My husband Charlie, was killed cycling to work 9 years ago and this has made me determined to renew my efforts to campaign for better road safety, driver/cyclist awareness training and safer speed limits. I have been involved with the organisation RoadPeace (http://www.roadpeace.org/), since Charlie’s death in 2002 and I urge everyone who is touched by this tragedy to campaign for a society that won’t accept road deaths as an acceptable price to pay for increased motorisation and convenience.”

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