Think Cyclist, please think Cyclist, save a life
Lately we’ve been blessed with a bounty of perfect evenings allowing many of us to make the most of living on the edge of the beautiful Peak District.
As a cyclist I can picture the scene so easily (I do the same each time I know there’s a ride on the cards). He was thinking all day about the after work ride, counting down the minutes. Mentally preparing for the dash home, bounce back out to feel the breeze rushing by, the close dance between pleasure and pain that is climbing the Cat & Fiddle.
The date is June 7th 2016 and this ride Guy Wharton knew well, it was his passion. He’d been up and down more times than most. All the while appreciating the good fortune that lady luck dealt for him to live at the foot of one of the UK’s most famous cycling climbs. He relished every chance he got to climb it, he was known for it.
Guy was up there as often as me, rain or shine, and he soon became one of the most recognizable cyclists in the area with his unique dancing style on the bike with those bony knees pointing out and multiple lights flashing everywhere. — Bhima Bowden
That evening at about the same time a complete stranger set out on his way from the opposite direction up The Cat & Fiddle. I wasn’t there, I don’t know exactly what happened, but at some point this stranger slowed behind one of the many lorries which lumber across this high peak pass.
Fatefully the stranger decided to overtake, a manoeuvre during which sadly his car collided head on with Guy riding in the opposite direction. A collision from which Guy did not survive.
For cyclist don’t have a crumple zone, air bags, the protection of steel surrounding them. Guy didn’t stand a chance against an accelerating vehicle, seeking to pass the truck so to return to the safety of the left side of the road. Chances are it happened so fast he hardly had time to react.
On a ride you hope to have the legs, you hope for good weather, you hope to have tailwind. You shouldn’t have to hope to just get home “safe”. Cameron McCreadie, Macclesfield
Guy Wharton was a husband, father of three, teacher at Tytherington High School since 2002. As the tributes came flooding in across social media it rapidly became apparent a bright soul had been extinguished.
You could say this was a freak accident, one in a million, maybe it was. However, spend any amount of time on a bike and you’ll realise it’s not the case. I can recount situations where I’ve had a “lucky miss”. More times than I’m comfortable remembering. No matter how safety conscious you are, you cannot account for everything.
He didn’t do strava or Instagram or any of that fuss, he just loved to ride, lots and lots. PedalPilots (Instagram)
Think Cyclist
To those who have read this far and travel on passes like The Cat I thank you for the next time you get stuck behind a truck and Think Cyclist the moment before you overtake. You might just be a hero and save a life.
Perhaps you might share this article and help raise awareness of how a simple thought, a pause, or even not overtaking could prevent a tragedy. After all these ‘dangerous’ roads are quite breathtaking, savour them! What difference does a few minutes make, really?
Join our social media campaign to help prevent similar accidents
If this story touches you or someone close to you, please consider leaving your email address with me so I can let you know when our social media campaign launches. Don’t worry I won’t spam you! Sign up here.
Thank you from a cyclist
For all the many considerate drivers who have patiently waited behind me for a safe moment to pass, to all those who have given me space as they’ve overtaken I say thank you, to every single one of you.
Tribute to Guy
A fellow Macclesfield cyclist Will Kershaw is organising a memorial ride around Bollington in July where Guy lived. It will be easy going and open to all. I can imagine being such a popular teacher there’s going to be a big turnout.
For myself, the very next night I was out on the Cat taking an hour to climb and reflect, pay my respects to a man I never knew but had so very much in common with.
RIP Guy.
