Page 21 - PBCOctober2020

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 17 No.2 October 2020 21

But Keith had other ideas, and decided to save the money and buy a bike instead. It was the
start of a lifelong enthusiasm.

Keith started with local cycling clubs in KeYering, where he was born,
and through them learned many aspects of the sport and recreaHon.
As a result he had a very busy life covering all facets of cycling and
reached high office in a great many BriHsh cycling organisaHons. He
was a long term member joining in 1980 and a former President
(2010) of the Pickwick Bicycle Club, as well as the Pedal Club, and the
Road Records AssociaHon. When he was posted to PalesHne and Egypt
during his naHonal service, he joined the Forces club, The Buckshee
Wheelers. He was also a Trustee of the Bidlake Memorial Trust, a life
Vice President of the Veteran Time Trials AssociaHon and received the
Gold badge of Honour presented by Cycling Time Trials.

He assisted on many Road Records AssociaHon record aYempts including the Land’s End to
John O’Groats challenge for Roy Cromack, Paul CarbuY and twice, John Woodburn. He was also
a life member of the Cyclist’s Touring Club, BriHsh Cycling and Veterans Cycle Club.

In addiHon, Keith was a Freemason of long standing belonging to The Lodge of the Open Road,
Chapter of the Open Road, the Pickwick Bicycle Lodge and Welland Lodge.

Keith and Brenda together established Beekay Products in 1962, offering screen-prinHng
services, which they taught themselves from books. Beekay became a major supplier of screen
printed signs, numbers and memorabilia for cycling events all over Britain as well as The Skol 6
Day race at Wembley, The Grand NaHonal, the FA Cup, World AthleHcs Championships and, for
27 years, the London Marathon.
He also managed the Herne Hill Stadium for a period and in 1958 he co-organised the famous
“Coppi MeeHng” which was the only appearance in Britain of the major Italian cycling superstar,
Fausto Coppi. Some 12,000 people packed Herne Hill track that day and the event has been
talked about for years since. It was also the first example of what might just be possible for the
popularity of cycling in the UK. He proved it so.

Rest in peace Keith

Alan Rushton/Thomas Groffin (reHred)