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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.
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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
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