A tribute to Robert Harris

By Cycling UK
Thursday, 14 May 2026
A man in white T-shirt and black shorts is standing in front of a loaded touring bike and holding a bottle and a glass which he has raised to the camera. There are cliffs and the sea in the background. The bike is leaning against a white sign reading 'Land's End 1987'. It gives distances to other places and also reads 'End to end 950: 9th September'
Robert Harris, a Cycling UK member for all his adult life, is fondly remembered by his son for his love of cycling for touring, weekend rides, commuting and everyday journeys

It is with great sadness that I report Robert Harris passed away on 10 February. Robert was a Cycling UK/CTC member for 61 years.  

Robert started cycling at an early age, and at the age of 19 he cycled around Germany with his childhood friend Phil. This included being there when England won the world cup in 1966 – he always told us about how friendly the Germans were to them.

They bought him and Phil drinks and even invited them to their house to celebrate. I think this is a testament to how sociable my dad was.

After qualifying from college, he followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined Rolls-Royce, where he began work in the drawing office, a role that suited his precise and methodical nature perfectly, and one he took great pride in.

Meanwhile Robert was still enjoying his many outdoor pursuits and it was through his involvement with the Youth Hostelling Association that his life took a very special turn. Through a mutual friend, he was introduced to my mum, Diana, and after chatting together they arranged to meet again. They got married in 1972.

As a child, I remember him going off for early morning bike rides at the weekend and returning with freshly baked bread in time for breakfast. My friends all loved him: he was constantly fixing their bikes, and other things that needed sorting. He was the most practical person I knew, able to turn his hand to anything, repairing almost anything around the house.

A man in white T-shirt and black shorts is standing in front of a loaded touring bike and holding a bottle and a glass which he has raised to the camera. There are cliffs and the sea in the background. The bike is leaning against a white sign reading 'Land's End 1987'. It gives distances to other places and also reads 'End to end 950: 9th September'

One of his proudest cycling achievements was in 1987, cycling unaided from John o’ Groats to Land’s End in nine days. Every day he rang in to Nottingham’s Radio Trent to report his progress to Andy Miller. He even accidentally ended up cycling on the M1 in Scotland!

In 1990 he did the ride again with a friend this time, but did the traditional LEJOG. He once told Ellen (my wife) that he wished he’d done more cycling with us as children, but he inspired a life-long love of cycling for me, and paid for my Cycling UK membership around 15 years ago.

I loved telling him about my own adventures and cycling even inspired the name of my business (B’spoke Coffee). I now have my dad’s Carlton, which he told me was used in the Tour de France. Like many of his stories, I’m not sure if this is a slight exaggeration.

In recent years he developed vascular dementia and his balance suffered. But nothing would get in the way of his cycling – he bought a tricycle instead and a later a recumbent bike.

My dad also instilled in me a great love of camping – I went with him and my brother as kids and more recently we would meet halfway in the Peak District. He was very organised and the best at figuring out the most complex tents (without reading the instructions!).

He also put those skills to good use as a scout leader for 1st Sawley. He was so admired by the leaders and the scouts alike. His most recent badge was awarded to him by my son Fred: a badge for ‘Best Grandad’.

I would say the scout motto ‘Be prepared’ sums up my dad well, whether that is having the right tool to hand (he loved his penknives!) or having researched the best equipment (his Carradice saddlebag pack was extraordinary!). I will miss him greatly.

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