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| Hughie McGuire ascending Ankerdine
Hill, Knightwick, in the 2007 Little Mountain Time Trial |
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| Hughie McGuire teamed up with Ruth
Eyles
in a 10 mile time trial near Evesham. |
Death of Former International and
Popular Local
Cyclist Hughie McGuire, aged 71, died on the 22nd February whilst
cycling with friends. He was part of a group riding home from Knighton, Powys.
They had just completed the stiff ascent through Abberley on the A443 and had
started to descend towards Great Witley when Hughie McGuire suffered a fatal heart
attack. He died at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him. Hughie
McGuire was one of Britain's top cyclists of the 1960s. Before moving south, the
Scot was a crack road race cyclist, representing both Scotland and the British
Army. During 1961 and 1963, he participated in the prestigious Milk Race, finishing
4th and 5th respectively, including two stage wins. In 1962 and 1963, Hughie travelled
behind the Iron Curtain to participate in the Peace Race - an event designed to
bring together the world's top cyclists in the name of reconciliation between
the West and Warsaw Pact nations. He also won the Tour of the North twice in 1960
and 1963. Hughie remained a proud Scot and never forgot his roots, often returning
to his native Glasgow to join friends and old rivals for challenging rides into
the Trossachs and Rothesay. Hughie eventually settled in Birmingham and
as a 'veteran' became a formidable force in local cycling events. Representing
the Beacon Roads Cycling Club, he was a well-known and respected racer throughout
Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands. Following retirement, he was able
to concentrate his efforts on training. This quickly produced results and he returned
to the top ranks in national age-related competitions. He often competed successfully
in national events organised by the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists and in local
time trials. Cyclists were not just outwitted by Hughie's skilful cycling,
they were equally outwitted by has rapidity of humorous one-liners and anecdotes.
To use the Glaswegian expression of 'big man', Hughie was a big man in terms of
stature, warmth and in terms of cycling performance. Hughie will be sadly
missed by cyclists throughout the West Midlands and in his former home of Glasgow.
The
following images have been kindly provided by John Scott. 
John
Scott, George Bennett & Hughie McGuire at the ToB reunion 
1960
Army Team, Dennis Tarr & Hughie McGuire 
1964
Tour de L'Avenir | 
