backed down and quietly got on with fighting the
disease. While undergoing chemo and surgery he
was still planning ahead. He wouldn’t be able to
ride the big bike straight away, not after losing so
much weight and strength, so he bought a P7.
Paul’s recovery went well and after some months
he was back on the trails, back where he should be.
disease. While undergoing chemo and surgery he
was still planning ahead. He wouldn’t be able to
ride the big bike straight away, not after losing so
much weight and strength, so he bought a P7.
Paul’s recovery went well and after some months
he was back on the trails, back where he should be.
|
I met Paul in ’96 when we started working together. He was quiet and it took a while to get to know him but
he became one of the best friends I have ever had. He was friendly, generous and kind, always willing to
lend a helping hand in his typical laid back style. Nothing was ever too much trouble. He was a man of few
words but the ones he used were well chosen. His one-liners were sure to have you in stitches. This went
with a mischievous streak that you always had to watch out for. You could be sure to end up with a smile
on your face when he was about.
he became one of the best friends I have ever had. He was friendly, generous and kind, always willing to
lend a helping hand in his typical laid back style. Nothing was ever too much trouble. He was a man of few
words but the ones he used were well chosen. His one-liners were sure to have you in stitches. This went
with a mischievous streak that you always had to watch out for. You could be sure to end up with a smile
on your face when he was about.
On a stag do in ’99 Paul and me found our
love of mountain biking. Out on bikes in
high winds and horizontal rain we messed
about the whole ride enjoying being
covered in mud and having a laugh with
friends. I went straight out and spent £300
on a bike I thought looked good but Paul
wisely took his time and bought a 2nd hand
Patriot. My bike fell apart over 6 months
and was gradually replaced while the
Patriot just rolled on.
Over the years our riding improved until
we were confident enough in our abilities
to explore the island on two wheels. With
maps as our guide we rode over the hills
and mountains, through valleys and dales.
It was a great adventure, not knowing what
| Flying round the Marin Trail |
| Paul and his distinctive Patriot that went everywhere. He had no niche, he just rode. |
| Battling through the mud in the Clwyds |
treasures we may find. We had a lot of good rides through the
stunning and varied landscape and experienced it in every season.
Winter was a time of extremes, fighting through mud, frozen fingers
not able to change gear, with the views obscured by rain and low
clouds, but occasionally we would crunch across frozen trails, under
stunning and varied landscape and experienced it in every season.
Winter was a time of extremes, fighting through mud, frozen fingers
not able to change gear, with the views obscured by rain and low
clouds, but occasionally we would crunch across frozen trails, under
blue skies, everything crystal clear
for miles around. Spring with the
fresh smell of life was so green it
brought a smile to our faces, as did
the thought of soon wearing shorts.
Summer was next and, if our luck
held, the trails would dry out. Heat,
flies and the taste of sweat and dust
would then be our companions as we
rode great trails on big rides in
distant places. Autumn will always
be singletrack though purple
heather on the green, grassy hills
with gold, orange and red leaves in
the valleys below.
for miles around. Spring with the
fresh smell of life was so green it
brought a smile to our faces, as did
the thought of soon wearing shorts.
Summer was next and, if our luck
held, the trails would dry out. Heat,
flies and the taste of sweat and dust
would then be our companions as we
rode great trails on big rides in
distant places. Autumn will always
be singletrack though purple
heather on the green, grassy hills
with gold, orange and red leaves in
the valleys below.
| Slippery rocks on the Priests Way in Derbyshire |
| Steep climb up the back of Skiddaw |
| Riding the drop at the top of Spooky Wood on the Red Route in Glentress |
| Climbing to Fremington Edge, Yorkshire Dales |
| (below) week in the Alps, on Heidi with TrailAddiction '06 |
| Hard climb to the top of Nan Bield Pass, The Lakes |
Hope descent, The Peaks
and upgraded Paul’s Patriot stayed the same. His silhouette became well
known and he gained a lot of respect for dragging that heavy bike over the
mountains. The bike was niche but not to him. Riding up Snowdon or a 100k
Merida, blasting around the local woods or down the Alps, he did it all. I don’t
know how he managed. While carrying up the Nan Bield Pass one hot day, I
offered to lighten his load. With the bikes swapped I lasted 10 minutes until I
was brought to my knees. I never made that offer again.
known and he gained a lot of respect for dragging that heavy bike over the
mountains. The bike was niche but not to him. Riding up Snowdon or a 100k
Merida, blasting around the local woods or down the Alps, he did it all. I don’t
know how he managed. While carrying up the Nan Bield Pass one hot day, I
offered to lighten his load. With the bikes swapped I lasted 10 minutes until I
was brought to my knees. I never made that offer again.
| Descending from Iron Keld the Lakes |
| The fantastic singletrack of Minton Batch, Long Mynd |
Unfortunately it wasn’t to last, his all clear turned to terminal in a
matter of weeks. A few months later he was gone.
Although I know there was more he wanted to do in the time we had
we rode so much, had so many experiences and so much fun his life
was full. I will keep riding but without the sound of him with me,
sharing the buzz of a descent, laughing as we fall off, encouraging
each other up a steep climb or daring each other to do something
stupid. It will never be the same again but he has left his mark on my
life and for that I’ll be grateful.
matter of weeks. A few months later he was gone.
Although I know there was more he wanted to do in the time we had
we rode so much, had so many experiences and so much fun his life
was full. I will keep riding but without the sound of him with me,
sharing the buzz of a descent, laughing as we fall off, encouraging
each other up a steep climb or daring each other to do something
stupid. It will never be the same again but he has left his mark on my
life and for that I’ll be grateful.
| Paul's last proper ride 'Hayfield and the Goyt valley' Jan '08 |
| Paul Bebe A great mate, top rider, loved by everyone. |
These experiences
were not kept to
ourselves and we
shared many a happy
ride with people we’d
met on our travels.
Some of them became
good friends but the
constant was always
Paul and myself, out on
the trails, riders and
best mates.
Although my collection
of bikes was expanded
were not kept to
ourselves and we
shared many a happy
ride with people we’d
met on our travels.
Some of them became
good friends but the
constant was always
Paul and myself, out on
the trails, riders and
best mates.
Although my collection
of bikes was expanded
His strength was
something that showed
in everything he did, no
matter how hard the task
he just got on with it and
never complained, even
when diagnosed with
cancer. He never
| On the Slab, Dalbeattie |
10 Nov 1967 - 04 Apr 2008
He will live on in my memory
| My Justgiving fund raising pages closed on 9th Oct 2008 and the final amount raised surpassed anything I could possibly have hoped for. The final figures were: Cancer Research UK £1428.45 (plus £345.23 Gift Aid) Hospice of the Good Shepherd £1656.45 (plus £436.62 Gift Aid) Thank you so much for all your wonderful donations. From your comments I know how much Paul meant to all who knew him and how much we will miss him. I was astounded by the response of those who had never met him and still gave so generously. I would like to thank everyone who helped me in my efforts. My heartfelt thanks go to : My family who stayed up for 24hrs cleaning my bike and keeping me fed while I competed in Sleepless, I couldn't have finished with out them. Paul's family who were always behind me and who I was so proud to do this for. Chipps and everyone at Singletrack for all their help with advertising my cause and all those on the forum who pledged so much. To everyone who dug deep in their pockets after coming into contact with me, my family or Paul's family. A big thank you must go to the mountain bike community who proved what a great bunch of people they are by donating so much and giving me so much support. Without you all this tribute would not have been the success it turned out to be. I will never forget your generosity. |
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
On the 27th April I started my build up
to Sleepless by competing in the
'Wiggle Enduro Six' 6hr endurance
race, (click here) to see how it went.
to Sleepless by competing in the
'Wiggle Enduro Six' 6hr endurance
race, (click here) to see how it went.
On the 4th May I competed in the
Dyfi Enduro. At 28miles it wasn't
very long but the climbs went on
and on and the descents were
steep, loose and rocky. So there
was no time to relax.
Dyfi Enduro. At 28miles it wasn't
very long but the climbs went on
and on and the descents were
steep, loose and rocky. So there
was no time to relax.
On the 9th June I returned from my wedding and resumed training. After over
150miles in a week, a 1/3rd of which was off road, I ended up tearing my knee open
while mountain biking. Thankfully after 2 weeks recovery I got back on my bike,
although I did have to be careful. My 'solo' ride in Sleepless still went ahead, it was
just a little harder.
150miles in a week, a 1/3rd of which was off road, I ended up tearing my knee open
while mountain biking. Thankfully after 2 weeks recovery I got back on my bike,
although I did have to be careful. My 'solo' ride in Sleepless still went ahead, it was
just a little harder.
I paid tribute to Paul's life by taking part in 'Sleepless in the
Saddle' on 8th - 9th August 2008 to raise as much money as
possible for 'Cancer Research UK' and the 'Hospice of the
Good Shepherd'. I entered this grueling 24hr mountain bike
event in the 'solo' category, riding as far I could between 2pm
on Saturday to 2pm on Sunday around an off-road course in
Catton Park, Staffs. It was wet and very muddy and one of
Saddle' on 8th - 9th August 2008 to raise as much money as
possible for 'Cancer Research UK' and the 'Hospice of the
Good Shepherd'. I entered this grueling 24hr mountain bike
event in the 'solo' category, riding as far I could between 2pm
on Saturday to 2pm on Sunday around an off-road course in
Catton Park, Staffs. It was wet and very muddy and one of
the hardest things I have done. To find out how it went (click here).
| My Preparations for 'Sleepless' |