Obituary, Richard Russell, Scottish cyclist

Richard Russell was a devoted member of the Lothians DA Cyclists Touring Club (LCTC) and was cycling up until weeks before his death at the age of 79 on 13 March.

Mr Russell was born in Edinburgh on 21 June, 1930.

He began work straight out of Portobello High School, spending 40 years as a printer at T & A Constable where his dedication to the trade union meant he was father of the chapel for many years.

In his later life, his aptitude for printing led him to teach night classes.

He had followed in his father's footsteps by joining the LCTC in 1947, as well as joining the Edinburgh Road Club and the Scottish Road Records Association.

He was passionate about cycling and held positions as a LCTC councillor, committee member and road club official for many years.

He raced bicycles and tricycles and in 1955 he set the Scottish tricycle competition records for 25 and 100 miles and for over 12 hours.

One of his team records still stands today.

In his lifetime, Mr Russell was awarded the Tom Davis Cup, the Edward Zoller Memorial Quaich and prestigious honorary life membership with the LCTC.

He was an outdoor man passionate about local history, farming and wildlife as well as a keen reader and theatregoer.

Sadly, in 1994, his wife Margaret passed away, but he is survived by his sons Colin and Gregor, who are both active cyclists. Gregor, 48, now owns Velo Ecosse bicycle shop in Bruntsfield.

He recalls many a family holiday spent cycling and camping in various beauty spots around Scotland, from the Borders to Pitlochry.

At the centre of Mr Russell's funeral was a photograph of Mount Schiehallion, where he and his wife spent their honeymoon, and where his ashes will be scattered.

Gregor said: "We got a great education both in terms of the outdoors and the natural environment of Scotland.

"He was very up to date in terms of wildlife and could identify a lot of animals, birds and fauna.

"He also had a good knowledge of family, agriculture and gardening.

"At the time we didn't appreciate what we were learning as boys but as we got older and started seeing how other people have been brought up we realised it's given us a great basis for life."

As well as his sons, Richard leaves behind four grandchildren, Adam, Tara, Sean and Jude.

He will also be sorely missed by the members of the Lothians DA Cyclists Touring Club, who said: "Although he was small in stature, he was a giant on the road."