Derek Buttle 1930-2017

Following a stroke in 2016 Derek spent his last years in a care home in Norwich. Always positive and never losing his love of cycling, he insisted on having an exercise bike in the corner of his room, which he continued to ride daily. He was a keen cyclist until the very end but above all a lovely man and an inspiration to all fellow cyclists.

It was over 60 years ago that Derek as an elite cyclist competed in the first ever Tour of Britain, riding for Dayton Cycles. Back then cycling as a sport in the UK was almost unheard of and it was not until cyclists like Derek made a concerted effort to get it established that things started to change and road racing began.

Today cycling is incredibly popular with those at the top of the sport like Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish achieving celebrity status. Today’s top riders like them owe a debt of gratitude to Derek and his fellow early professionals, for without them the sport would simply not exist in this country as it does today.

Never losing his positive approach to life, his mantra was 'I can, I will, I must'; Derek was an inspiration to all who had the privilege to know him.