All of us at Epsom CC were saddened to hear of Brian’s death. He was the most visible face of the club and for many our first experience of riding with Epsom CC was meeting Brian at Wells Road on a Sunday morning. He was always welcoming and encouraging and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the roads and lanes of Surrey and beyond. He loved cycling and he loved Epsom CC. It’s impossible to overstate just how much he will be missed. Rest in Peace Brian.
Please use the comments below to add your memories of Brian.
Tomorrow the cycling family says goodbye to Brian Hill, whom I had the pleasure of knowing back in the 1980s when I rode for Epsom CC. Brain was always supportive and started my love of cycling, which has remained with me throughout my life, for which I am truly thankful.
RIP Brian, and thank you for all you did for the cycling community. You will be missed.
Phil
My belated condolences for the passing of your lovely man.
I first met Brian at the Epsom clock tower for a ride with the Epsom CC. I must have been only 13 yrs old or so.
It was the era of Tony Rogers, Mike Reed and others. I remember being amazed at how Brian was able to ride a fixed wheel over any kind of terrain. He always wore a black donkey jacket and a small beret that just seemed to stay in place which was remarkable.
Many rides like this followed with lots ofvencourgement and guidance from Brian. We became friends over a very long time and often competed together. His memory was astonishing and he would often remind me years later of races that I’d completely forgotten, right down to the year and both of our times!!
Love to you all
Stuart Andrews
I was a member of the Epsom CC for a couple years in the early 1980’s and again in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Benny was such a friendly, welcoming and devoted man to the Epsom cycling club and cycling in general. I remember seeing a photo of him competing in the snow early in 1963 in an open event, the year of one of the harshest winters the UK had ever seen. I think he came fourth, which was a fantastic achievement. For me, Benny was the Epsom cycling club. There can be few human beings that have been at the forefront of any club, not just cycling, for such an incredible length of time. Almost 60 years is astounding. I echo all of the wonderful comments and memories that have been said about him. He will always be in my thoughts. My deepest sympathy goes out to Helen and family.
I cannot thank Brian enough for taking me under his wing when I first started riding and teaching me ‘how to be a cyclist’. I have had some of the most amazing experiences of my life on a bike – I would have never had these without Brian’s help in the early days. Brian had the kindest and most generous soul and will be so missed by all. As many others have said, a true legend in the cycling community.
Once upon a time, before websites worked properly and there was no such thing as e-mail or smart phones, I wondered if I could join the local cycling club. Eventually I phoned up and to my surprise someone arrived on the doorstep to have a chat. ”Hello my name’s Brian” he said ”but most people call me Benny”
”What a nice man” said my wife ”you should join” so I did and he made me smile every time we met, I’ll miss him.
Sincere condolences to Helen and the family.
Brian was most definitely the face of ECC for me. He was always welcoming, always encouraging, always looking out for the riders at the back of the group. He was the epitome of a considerate cyclist and did so much behind the scenes.
I have fond memories, too, of working with Helen in the kitchen at the Opens and him popping in to see how we were doing.
My condolences to all the family.
RIP Brian. It was a great privilege to get to know him in my time at the club. As others have rightly said he was one of a kind and a true legend. Condolences to Helen & the family from myself & Mel
I was very sad to hear of Brian’s passing. He was the first person I met from the club and he welcomed me warmly. Such a friendly, engaging and sincere person, he made you feel important to the club whether a Sunday slowcoach (like me) or a Time Trial ninja. Rest in peace and my condolences to Brian’s family.
So absolutely lovely to hear these comments. I am partner to Brian’s son Marcus.
I am glad that I knew Brian and he will be sorely missed.
I was profoundly saddened to hear of his death. He was a super person both in mind and spirit. He always welcomed people to the rides and was the conduit, friend, mentor and confidant for existing members. He was genuinely a top-class person and I, alongside lots of others, will miss him.
Helen, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Derek
We’ve been really touched by the amazing outpouring of tributes, fond memories and love from club members and the wider cycling community, through cards and messages. It’s been a great comfort to us to know how well regarded and respected he was and that his passion and hard work for so many years were so appreciated by so many.
As was clear to everyone, cycling was his absolute world and he would be incredibly proud to know of his positive effect in many ways through his life long love of being on two wheels.
Helen, Marcus, Darren and our whole family
Many lovely memories of Brian ( Benny ) at inter-club,open TT’s & always meeting up for the Good Friday events at Herne Hill. His enthusiasm for cycling was truly infectious, what a super Gentleman.
Our sincere condolences to all his family
Such sad news. Brian was my first contact with Epsom CC. He was always so kind, welcoming and encouraging towards new members, and remained in contact long after I moved away. A great man and he will missed by many. Thank you for the memories.
Brian was a legend and will be sorely missed in the club. I will always remember his warm welcome when I first joined the club and his display of vintage bike parts (and their associated stories) at the social evenings. Rest in peace Brian.
My heartfelt condolences to Helen and all his family.
Brian made me feel so welcome when I moved to Epsom 8 years ago. His kindness meant so much to me at that time. So many fond memories: his great sense of humour and willingness to support and chat. So sad to hear of his passing, but he lives on in so many hearts. 😥❤️
What sad news. Benny, we always knew him, was a gentleman and true cyclist. They don’t make them like that any more.
Sincere sympathies to Helen and the family, and of course to members of the Epsom CC. His company brought pleasure to so many people.
I was very saddened to hear of Brian’s passing. I first joined Epsom CC in the early 1960’s and have fond memories of club runs from the Clock Tower and Time Trials. Brian’s friendship and encouragement led me to a lifelong love of cycling.
My sincere sympathy to Helen and family – they were a lovely devoted couple.
I’ve been living in Seattle since 1980 and as a result I’ve not had the opportunity to participate in club activities. Please let me know if the club establishes an award in Brian’s memory as I would like to contribute.
Mike Reed
Today was the first day seeing other members of the Epsom Cycling Club after the news of the loss of Brian. I suppose we were all looking for comfort in a cycle ride together, a chance to go over fond memories or be around others who knew Brian. Fond memories they all were. His kindness, his elephant’s memory that never forgot anything, his connecting stories that always never ceased to amaze.
Brian was the beating heart of the club and I will forever be grateful for experiencing his friendship and kindness. I will miss you terribly Brian. May you rest in peace now in God’s home.
That is very sad to hear. I last saw Brian at one of your evening time trials and he was chipper as normal.
He updated me on his health as though everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about.
I think we all knew different but he was on very good form bearing in mind he had just had the diagnosis and treatment was to start the following week.
I assumed he would get through things and be around for some time so am really upset to hear the news.
I wish the famil well and my thoughts are with you.
He was a true gentleman and treated everybody as though they were his long lost friend.
I will miss him.
Colin.
Norwood Paragon Cycling Club
So sorry to learn of Brian’s passing. A huge loss to his family and your club and members. I have known him since my early days of club riding from 1963, as have many of my fellow members past and present. Such a nice man always interesting to chat with and talk about almost everything in addition to cycling.
Our deepest sympathies to Helen, Darren and family.
Phil and Christine Headen, East Surrey Road Club
Very sad to hear this news.
As already said, Brian was the face of the Epsom Cycling Club for many years and was such a lovely person and welcoming face out at races.
He will be much missed.
These are the comments from the WhatsApp group:
So very sad. Rest In Peace Brian. We will all miss you.
Phil Cresswell
Oh, so very, very sad.
He was Mr ECC to me.
A truly delightful gentleman!
Alan Bates
RIP Brian. You’ll be missed Top man.
Wozza
Very sad news to read – he was the first friendly face to welcome me to ECC, as I’m sure he was for countless others. A real legend.
Rich Jones
Same for me. What a sad day
Brian Clifford
So very sad to read of Brian’s passing. This is a sad day indeed.
Kevin
May you rest in peace dear Brian.
Cam Hale
A very sad day for all of us that knew Brian. He held a lot of respect throughout the cycling community and will be greatly missed by all.
Anthony Jones
A sad, sad day. Rest in peace Brian.
Dan
You will be missed terribly Brian. Rest in peace.
Isabel Gonzaga
Brian was my first contact with ECC – the perfect embodiment of the saying Never Underestimate an Old Man on a Bike! He showed me the way metaphorically and literally! RIP Brian
Dominic Anghileri
RIP Brian ❤️
He was such a wonderful person, and his presence will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I remember when I joined Epsom Cycling Club in 2006 and Brian welcomed me with such warmth and generosity. His infectious sense of humour made every ride more enjoyable, and his dedication to the club, both on and off the bike, will leave a lasting impression on all of us. He was a true pillar of the club, always going out of his way to support others and ensure everyone was included.
Brian’s spirit will live on in the many lives he touched, and he will be greatly missed by all of us in the cycling community x
Andy Burbidge
Hard to believe. The sun will always shine for you Brian.
Richard Turner
So very sad to hear of Brian’s passing in Helen’s email today. A tireless supporter of the club and its members throughout his life and by the looks of the number times his name appears on club trophies a very decent racer too in his day. He will be very much missed.
Chris Rosam
Brian was so welcoming when I joined the club in 2016. He encouraged and motivated me to come on the club rides. He has done so much for the club and will be greatly missed. RIP Brian.
Graeme Aston
That is very very sad news. He was always very welcoming to newcomers and was the cornerstone of the club. He will be very much missed by a lot of people.
Peter Noble
Such sad news ! RIP Brian 🙏
Like with so may others, Brian was the one who welcomed me into the club, made sure everything was always ok, phoning me after my first ride out with the club to check I had enjoyed it.
An absolute Gentleman ! Funny and quick witted and a knowledge of the Surrey Hills probably unsurpassed by any Sat Nav !
A real legend of the cycling community and he will be sorely missed x
Doug
RIP Brian. An Epsom CC gentleman and legend. Love to his family ❤️
Tom S
Benny 💔😢
What a man and what a life…
60+ years of racing, still leading club runs into his 80s and what he did for Epsom CC over the years is just enormous.
He led exactly the life that most of us would aspire to.
Many many great memories of Benny, but the one that is foremost in my mind right now is the occasion of his 80th birthday, when we had a lovely club ride to Brockham and made a fuss of him and he was still in such great nick then.
With his birthday falling in mid June it occurs to me that we should do some kind of club event / ride to celebrate what would have been his 83rd next year.
Steve Winder
Brian was one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met ❤️
Mark
He’ll be sadly missed. Such a gentleman, a lovely man and an inspiration to me and many others. I’ll never forget Brian. He loved cycling and he was the heart of Epsom CC. A true icon, a legend, and more importantly a good friend. Thank you and rest in peace Brian, cycling in heaven. ❤️
Chris
Brian was the first person that I met at Epsom. He was friendly, helpful and encouraging and continued to be so in the years that I knew him.
What an impact he’s had on so many people – and to have left a thriving club too.
Brian will be in my thoughts on each and every club ride as he was Epsom cc.
I’m sure it would be important to Brian for the thriving Sunday community of groups that he built up to continue going forward.
Janice Dawes
As others have said, he was a true inspiration — a kind and gentle man who will be deeply missed. It’s heart-warming to read these messages and see so many wonderful memories of Brian being shared. In time, it would be lovely to pass them on to Helen and the family, so they can see just how much he achieved and how much he meant to our cycling community. For now, my thoughts are with them all.
Lisa T
A sad day for anyone who knew Brian.
He will be sadly missed by many people in the local cycling community.
Nick