Page 17 - PBCOctober2016

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 13 No.2 October 2016 17

David loved stylish bicycle products; the launch and
marketing of the innovative Moulton brand had the seal of
his professional ability. Later he primed the introduction
into Britain of BMX, checking it out Stateside on a trip paid
from his own pocket when working at the Halfords
operation. Others soon realised the Trade opportunity, his
strategic thinking and involved action led the way forward
for BMX. Later, at industry level,

With Alex Moulton
David Duffield added his commanding voice to the European
Bicycle Manufacturers Association’s inaugural session; helping make sure the movement
would become reality for the industry. Some didn't like what he said then: but it'd appear
he was right on the ball and the rest is history. Always ready to spot add-value
opportunities for bicycling, David Duffield thought bikes like Miguel Indurain’s monocoque
Pinarello Espada was the lead shops could follow. Bright and innovative designs would spur
more buyers to purchase more bikes, he was sure: result, the Trade would benefit with a
healthier bottom line.
Away from the cycle sport scene, in 1978 David Duffield organised the bicycles for the
65 naked lady models for the “I want to ride my bicycle” video by The Queen rock band.
That film shoot at Wimbledon Racecourse became a Queen poster and an add-value offer
with the band's records, such as the album Jazz and a single. The video and the music and
the riders are often still watched on the internet!
I write this at a time of year when the Tour de France is in mind, as with 1994 being the
year Sean Yates pulled on his Yellow jersey after a Stage in Britain. This was a year equally
memorable and special for David Duffield: elected Mr. Pickwick, top man at the oldest
cycling club in the world, The Pickwick Bicycle Club. This
is where the good and the godly of bicycling take the
mantle of male characters from Charles Dickens’ novel
Number One: The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick
Club - aka Pickwick Papers. Club meetings see members
wearing a straw boater, a striped tie, for some a
distinctive Club blazer. Never shy about his dress
styles, David's blazers were regularly outstandingly
smart. He sat at the PCB table as Mr. Ayresleigh, his
soubriquet: dapper, always ready and willing to relate
and reminisce, his conversational tones kept other
guests fully in the picture and utterly relaxed. At Dave Rayner Fundraiser Dinner