In Memoriam
We fondly remember our long serving members who have passed away
Jeff Fry
It is with deep respect and affection that we remember Jeff Fry, a man whose life became woven into the very fabric of the club he served so faithfully. Alongside his devoted wife Carolyn, Jeff dedicated decades of his life to cycling, to competition, and to the community that grew around it.
Jeff’s commitment to the club was extraordinary in both length and impact. Serving as Treasurer for the majority of the period between 1961 and 1979, he provided steady stewardship through periods of growth and change. In 1971, he stepped forward as Chairman, and from 1985 to 2008, he shared the role of Club Captain with Dave Galley, guiding riders around the roads and lanes of our area with his friendly manner that defined his character.
Jeff was not only a leader—he was a formidable rider in his own right. A gifted time trialist, he claimed countless victories in both club and open events. He twice earned the title of Club Best All Rounder and dominated the 50 Special Cup, winning it nine times. His competitive peak included triumphs in the club’s open events, winning the Open 50 twice, and the Open 25 three times.
Jeff’s achievements reached the national level in 1961, when he joined Chris Holloway and John Kempe to win the National BBAR Team Competition—a landmark victory in the club’s history. Remarkably, Jeff remains part of the team that still holds the club 12 hour record from 1961, and the club 50mile team record from 1971.
His contributions extended beyond racing. Jeff was a five time winner of the Brian Weatherley Trophy, four time recipient of The Runs Book, and twice earned the fearsome Bonk Hammer. Most fittingly, he was honoured twice with the Wills 75th Trophy for outstanding service to the club—a testament to the esteem in which he was held.
In later years, Jeff continued to nurture the spirit of the club that meant so much to him. With his close friend Dave Galley, he organised a series of family walks for club members, their families and friends.
He will be remembered not only for what he achieved, but for the spirit with which he achieved it.
Dave Galley
It is with great sadness that Dave’s family shared the recent passing of our friend and fellow cyclist, Dave Galley.
Dave was a valued member of our club for many years, a life member, Club Captain and ultimately Vice President of the Club. Throughout that time, he became known not only for his passion for cycling, but also for his determination and sense of humour.
Whether participating in club rides, supporting events, tackling challenging routes, or sharing stories over coffee after a ride, Dave made a lasting contribution to our cycling community. He will be remembered for his ability to bring people together. Many will remember his choice of hilly routes for the Club Rides, he always seemed to be able to tackle them with ease, others were not so keen.
He sponsored the Club from 1988 until 1991 with the logo Dave Galley and Sons and many members competed in club colours carrying the Galley logo. He was an inspiration to others and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to ride alongside them.
Dave was born in Portland Bill and moved to Bristol at 10 years old, then immediately evacuated to rural Cornwall where he had to work at the farm before he could go to school. At 18 he was sent to Egypt to do his National Service returning to start his building business.
Beyond cycling, Dave was a devoted family man who touched the lives of many. For nearly 30 years he organised the infamous ‘Dave Galley Walks’ attended by many club members and their families over the years. He always led with great enthusiasm, but not always in the right direction!
On behalf of everyone at Bristol South Cycling Club, we extend our sincere condolences to Dave’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Allen Janes (11th August 1946 – 14th June 2026) remembered by Steve Clarke:
Fastest 50 Under 22 years 1968, 2:03:17, Brian Weatherley 25 Mile Championship 1973, 1:01:50, Senior Road Race Champion 1977, Bristol to Taunton and Back record 1967, 4:13:26 and 1977. 4:06:52.
Allen Janes was a fellow member of the Bristol South Cycling Club, I first met him around 1986 when I first joined the club.
Allen was a cyclist from the day he was born, his parents took him on club runs in a sidecar attached to their tandem, so you could say that cycle racing was in Allen’s DNA. I remember Allen winning two-up time trials in the late 80s, riding with Rod Collins. They were the main rivals of myself and Rob Pink when we rode two-ups together.
Allen designed and commissioned Arthur Needham, Argos Racing Cycles, to build what I believe to be the first road going low profile or funny bike in 1978/79. This was based on the East German and Italian track bike designs of the time and were very radical. At the recent Argos Racing Cycles open day they had one of Allen’s machines on display and it still looked amazing. Over the years I have competed in many time trials with Allen, and he was always “up there” in the results, and in later years won many Veterans awards.
Allen was married to Linda for many years and they still lived in the same house. When I moved to Bridgwater and then Nether Stowey Allen along with George Keene were two friends from the club that kept in touch. I know Allen was very upset when his father, Ernie, died but he carried on racing and the joke was that he was always making a “comeback”!
In later years Allen was a good help to George Keene and I always looked forward to Allen’s regular phone calls. In these calls, which sometimes lasted for over an hour, we talked about the “good” times and moaned about modern cycling!
Allen worked as a mechanic for Bristol commercial vehicles, and as a member of the Bristol bus society he wrote quite a few books on the subject. Whilst at the Argos open day it was great to meet some members of the bus group who came to show their respects and learn a little of Allen’s other life.
In the past years Allen’s health deteriorated and telephone calls became more about his illness, however he was still thinking about a “comeback” and asking my advice about electric bikes. I received the sad news that he was in the BRI and travelled up to visit, he was asleep and I just said “hello” and “goodbye”. The next day I received a call from Dennis White stating that Allen had died, it was a hard call for Dennis to make and a hard call to receive. I’ll miss Allen, I’ll miss our long telephone calls and I’ll miss seeing him at cycling or bus events, however the memories of Allen remain and they will always give me a smile.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Steve
Bill Boyd (29th September 1931 – 10th August 2026)
Bill, always known as Brian to his family, was born 29th September 1931 to Lily May and Alfred Boyd. Bill also had a sister, Irene. Not much is known about Bill’s early life but he lived and worked most of his life in Bristol behind the scenes at Bristol City Museums.
An early passion in Bill’s life was riding a bicycle. He was a generation of Bristol South Cycling Club members who joined as soon as they were eligible at 16 years of age and remained members all their life. This BSCC generation included Tony McKenna, George Keene, Dave Galley and Peter Baldwin. The club was their social life and cycling was their lifestyle.
We do not have much information about Bill’s cycle racing career but he participated regularly in club events, occasional open TTs and road races. He joined the Veteran’s Time Trial Association West Group maintaining interest in the local time trial scene. But Bill was the consummate clubman. He was ever ready to help or marshal for the club.
Latterly, Bill preferred touring and he travelled many miles throughout England and Europe. He traveled with BSCC to Majorca on at least 2 occasions. His nephew remembers that Bill’s bike was always loaded last on family holidays to ensure that he would not miss his regular rides.
Bill was an unfussy man. He learned to ride a fixed (or single speed) bicycle and this was good enough for him. He did not chase technology and never transitioned to riding gears or replacing his “rat trap” toe clips for clipless pedals. He continued to ride in corduroy or duck shorts and trousers, woolly sweaters and the classic peaked cycling cap. Near the end of his cycling career, he reluctantly got a bike with gears.