We are very sad to inform you that Dave Murphy, one of our members, has in his wife Karen’s words, “finally found a hill that he couldn’t cycle over”. It was only last September that Dave went to Scotland to do a sponsored charity ride for Chris Hoy’s Prostate UK, and as an afterthought, thought he should best get a check himself. Unfortunately, the test revealed that prostate cancer was already overtaken by pancreatic and liver cancer and as Dave himself said: “One minute you can think how fit we are and next moment it’s cancer, ops and a completely different path to navigate”.
Although Dave was one of our irregulars, given that he lived in North Leeds, he loved coming to Wheel Easy rides, as according to Karen, “the chats and camaraderie were as enjoyable as the cycling”. You may well have cycled with Dave Murphy too, a lovely chap – I found him to be a kind, happy and encouraging endurance rider, always a pleasure to cycle with. My first Two Stoops ride was with Dave last summer after Scar House reservoir on a blisteringly hot day. He wore his learning lightly but happily enlightened me on his fascinating specialist subject of reservoirs and waterways in Nidderdale and beyond as we ‘forged’ our way up – he was pretty good at distraction technique too!
He was best cycling buddies with Peter Lawley and together they accomplished many long-distance or difficult endurance rides, including the Big ‘Un on several occasions, the Lake District and LEJOG, not necessarily at great speed, but for the sheer experience of the ride and the happy achievement of getting there. There will be an opportunity for people to sponsor Peter and Dave’s family on a charity cycle ride later in the year in his memory.
Dave and Karen undertook some terrific travel adventures together, both cycling and hiking; he posted some great pictures of their journeys, especially the West coast of Ireland where the sun never ceased to shine on them.
I know that many other members of the WE club will have known and respected Dave too, and will treasure the memories of his cycling friendship. The club extends its sincere condolences to Karen and all the family for their loss.
RIP David Murphy.
YD
