TRIBUTES have been paid to a cycling club stalwart who ran weekly time trials for over 40 years, after he died aged 94.

Alec Davies, former president of Worcester St John’s Cycling Club, died peacefully at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Tuesday, November 7.

Hundreds of people have shared memories of Mr Davies and paid tribute to him on the club’s Facebook page.

Rick Allen, a member of the club’s committee, said: “I don’t think he ever owned a car. He went everywhere on a bicycle, although he never competed. He started taking times around 1972 or 1973 and kept doing it until his 94th birthday this year. 

“I’ve known him to ride out from his home to the start of a race – in a gale of wind and pouring with rain – to tell us that we can’t ride because it’s too dangerous.

“He was such an inspirational person and well loved by many hundreds of people.”

Rick, aged 69, said Mr Davies first became involved in the club after his son, David, took up bike racing. 

Mr Davies later became timekeeper at the club’s time trials, which take place within a 10 mile radius of Worcester every week between April and September.

It is thought Mr Davies, of Southfield Street, Worcester, took part in up to 1,200 time trials during his stint with the club.

His selfless dedication saw him win numerous awards, including being chosen as BBC Midlands Unsung Hero in 2015. 

Mr Allen said: “He then went to the Sports Personality of the Year event in Belfast.

“Alec and I went to the event. It was quite an experience. He was talking to AP McCoy, who won the overall award.

“He also talked with Andy Murray. After the show there’s a reception and all those that were at the awards just chill out and have a nice time.”
Mr Davies’ funeral will take place at Worcester Crematorium, off Astwood Road, at 10.45am on Thursday, November 30.

The Worcester St John’s Cycling Club was founded in 1888 and is reportedly one of the 10th oldest surviving cycling clubs in the world.

This article is part of our ‘Every life is a story worth telling’ series of obituaries, which celebrate the lives of the so-called ‘ordinary people’ who have made our city and county a better place to live.

If you would like us to pay tribute to a relative, friend or colleague with an obituary, please email deputy editor Michael at michael.purton@newsquest.co.uk or call 01905 742243.