Tributes to former Herefordshire Sportsman of the Year (From Hereford Times)
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Tributes to former Herefordshire Sportsman of the Year
9:00am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in County
By Paul Rogers
Gordon Butler, a veteran cyclist, died on September 5
Tributes have been paid to cyclist Gordon Butler who died after coming off his bike near Hay-on-Wye days before an event.
Gordon, a member of Hereford Wheelers Club and former Herefordshire Sport Awards Sportsman of the Year, was training for a weekend race when he came off his bike on the B4350 near Glasbury on September 5.
The 76-year-old from Clifford was airlifted to Heath Hospital in Cardiff but later died.
Gordon started racing at 14 and went on tandem rides with his wife Pam. He rekindled his passion for bikes after retiring as an electrical design engineer and competed in many events as a veteran.
He was Sportsman of the Year in 2002 and captured two South Wales veterans time trial association championships for the fourth year in succession in 2007, winning the SWVTTA 12-hour cup and the best all-rounder championship.
In the same year, Gordon won two golds and a bronze in the National Track Masters Championship, while the following year he won further medals at the European Masters.
In July this year, he was the oldest member of Hereford Wheelers taking part in a series race in Leominster , notching his best time of the season.
“Over the years I have lost count of the number of medals and awards he has won,” said his wife Pam.
“He was very honoured to win Herefordshire Sportsman of the Year, but people liked him because he didn’t shout about what he won and was quite a modest sportsman.”
Hereford Wheelers Club member Stuart Edinborough added that Gordon was an inspiration to a lot of people.
“When he was on a bike he was like a greyhound and had a beautiful racing style,” he said.
“He was a highly successful racing man and highly respected within the club.”
Gordon is survived by his wife Pam, daughter Georgie Hand, son Nick Butler and grandchildren George and Emma.
- Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.
