CYCLING
SHORTS
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A record-breaking rider
An Audax legend The Audax community was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of cycling stalwart Damon Peacock, who took his own life in June this year after a severe bout of depression. Family, friends and fellow cyclists gathered in Lancashire for the funeral of legendary Audax rider and film-maker, Damon Peacock, in July. Many more watched the service via a live-stream video from the God’s acre Chapel in Much Hoole. Social media forums were inundated with messages of condolence and sympathy in the wake of Damon’s death. Damon, a native of Leyland, Lancashire, was a 62 years old rider known not only for his many impressive cycling feats, but also his ability to chronicle Audax events on film. He was also a noted record-keeper. Indeed, he wrote about his data collection, and his documenting activities in a feature for Arrivée (issue 145) in 2019. His partner of 37 years, Heather Swift, spoke movingly at Damon’s funeral, saying: “For the last 18 months Damon had been really, really ill with severe depression. It came out of the blue. It was very scary. He had no history.” Damon was one of three children, growing up and attending school in Leyland before completing his degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury. He was a renowned quizzer, and even captained the college team on TV’s
University Challenge. For much of his career he worked in conservation for organisations including the Woodland Trust, and was an expert hedge-layer, responsible for maintenance of hedgerows and verges on many of the motorways of the north-west. He met his partner Heather while undertaking voluntary conservation work on the Shetland Isles. The couple lived in Lancashire, and spent holidays walking, cycling and skiing, not only in Europe, but also Africa. He was an accomplished cyclist, becoming an Audax member in the 1990s, and taking part in many long distance events, including PBP and LEL. Friends who spoke at this funeral described a friendly, witty and knowledgeable man, easily recognisable at Audax events by his stature – he was 6’4” in height, with legendary size 14 feet. He was also a celebrated film-maker, covering many Audax events. His film commentaries were described as “gentle, idiosyncratic and generous”. His sister Rachel, speaking at the funeral, said: “We weren’t aware of his battle until it took over his world. In memory of his life I urge everyone to be aware of their mental health. Ask for help early, and take care of your nearest and dearest.” Mourners at the funeral were invited to donate to the charities MIND and CALM.
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Many will have been saddened to hear of the death in June this year of record-breaking Portsmouth cyclist Chris Davies at the age of 83, peacefully in a city nursing home. Chris had been the cycling correspondent of The News, Portsmouth’s local newspaper, for more than 50 years until his retirement in 2004. He also held the world record for the most miles ever officially cycled – more than 900,000 – the equivalent of 37 times round the globe, and a feat that wasn’t equalled until 2019. Only 16 years ago he marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, and the 50th consecutive year of his own career in the saddle, by riding more than 1,500 miles from Cape Trafalgar in Spain to London’s Trafalgar Square. In his long career, Chris cycled in many countries, including the USA, South Africa, New Zealand and Europe – and not without adventure. He was in Israel on a cycling tour of the Middle East when the Yom Kippur War broke out in 1973, and was unable to board a plane for several days. He described it, in his usual laid-back manner, as “an extra four days holiday”. He was quoted in The News as saying: “We seemed to be the only foreign visitors who weren’t scared stiff, but we all had memories of bombings during WW2. The advice was: if you can’t get into a shelter, get under a substantial table – which the Americans didn’t think was good advice at all.” Chris was a local sporting hero, cycling an average of 10,000 miles every year in his prime, and riding many long-distance events, including Land’s End to John ‘O Groats. He also took part in several 24-hour non-stop races, achieving a career best distance of 438 miles in the 1960s. Many riders will have memories of Chris on numerous Audax events.
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Chris worked for the Cyclists Touring Club for many years, and was also a road safety advisor for Hampshire.
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Before illness forced him to give up cycling in 2010, the longest he’d been away from his bike was 39 days – when he had a hip replacement. He set the world record when he reached 906,900 miles, at the age of 72 – when he was still hopeful of passing the one million mile mark.
Damon with Heather at the end of the 2007 PBP
Interviewed at the time by The News, Portsmouth, Chris said: “For as long as I can remember I’ve loved cycling. It keeps me in good shape and gets me out and about. My bike is an extension of me.”
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