A Yorkshire great

You may not have heard of Brian Robinson  unless you love cycling as I do.  He was the first Brit to finish the Tour de France and the first Brit to win a stage in the days before professional cycling became the science it is now.  No aero dynamic helmets, no helmets at all, no skin suits, no tubes of gel to suck in a quick energy boost.  I would not be surprised if he had to pack up his own sandwiches each day.   He was from Yorkshire.  He died recently aged 91.

MrFF and I had the privilege to meet him and his wife a few years ago in Ilkley.  A local brewery had produced a beer in his honour, aptly named stage winner and there was a promotion in our local supermarket.  It was fairly quiet and we had the chance to chat to Brian for some time. He was charming, interesting and totally  unassuming.  He was as pleased to hear about our exploits following grand tours on the continent as we were to hear about his life.  For many years his achievements were hardly recognised but once the Tour came to Yorkshire, he was one of the ambassadors working hard to make that happen, he was acknowledged as the legend he was.  He told us that latterly he and his wife were guests at the Tour and every year taken to France and treated as the VIPs they were. 

He lived a long life and achieved much, he made Yorkshire proud inspiring others including members of his own family to get on their bikes. RIP Brian.