Simon Goodge (1962 – 2002)Born
in London in November 1962,
Simon grew up with his elder sister Jenny in the market
town of Grantham. His passion for cycling had been present
at an early age, and by the time he was 14 he was riding
schoolboy races with the local Witham Wheelers. He was
also participating in all the activities of his club,
for he enjoyed the company of fellow cyclists whilst
on club runs and touring.
By the time he had moved up to the junior category,
Simon’s ambition led him to apply for a place
on Cherry Valley racing team. He joined in 1980, with
another junior star, Kevin Davis, and the pair put Cherry
Valley on the map in the 80’s. Simon put his education
first, and took a business studies degree at Loughborough
University. It meant his fitness had to take second
place to his studies, but with these completed his ability
showed through as soon as he started training seriously.
He won the Universities national road championship in
1982, before winning the Lincolnshire title. He then
spent the rest of the summer in France, where he announced
his arrival by winning his first two races within the
space of three days. Riding for the OCC Laval, in the
Mayenne department, Simon quickly became a marked man,
though he did chalk up a third win before the end of
the season. There were also several 2nd and 3rd place
results ‘places d’honneur’ which led
to an interview with a journalist from the regional
newspaper ‘Ouest France’. The subsequent
story was headlined ‘Simon Goodge: un Anglais
heureux… enfin!’ In English – a happy
Englishman at last.
Simon’s ability to communicate well stood him
in good stead throughout his life and the Quest France
story was just another example. At the time, English
riders trying their luck in France had the reputation
for wingeing and complaining as well as being taciturn.
Simon was the opposite. He had a strong will to win,
but never let that stop him being chirpy and full of
fun.
In 1983, Simon returned to France for the summer, racing
alongside Kevin Davis, Andy Johnson, and Steve Melhuish.
Before going, he retained his Lincolnshire title over
a tough 90-mile course in the wolds, outsprinting Roy
Harrison for the championship. This time there were
no winners’ bouquets for the Grantham rider in
France, and he realized that his career prospects were
going to be much better in commerce than in pushing
the pedals for a living.
His final season of serious racing was 1984, where
he joined his Cherry Valley team mates in big events
like the Launa Windows 3-day in Devon. In these sort
of races Goodge’s character was invaluable for
keeping team morale high. Never one to let a less than
ideal result depress him, Simon kept everyone’s
spirits up however tough the racing became.
1985 saw Simon marry Margaret, and they have a son,
Matthew, who is the image of his father. As a family
man his business career progressed from a Land Rover
management trainee to a director of a merchant bank
in the City. His job allowed him to buy a large house
in the Kent countryside, and he would commute by motorcycle
to his London office. Tragically, it was this journey
which was to bring his demise. On a wet morning in July
2002, he was riding through road works in Lewisham,
when the rear wheel caught a raised manhole cover. The
impact threw him from the machine into a concrete bollard,
and he died at the scene.
For his parents, Ray and Irene, the tragedy has been
devastating, and to the rest of his family and friends
the event has left a black mark and a void. Today’s
event is a poignant reminder of a guy who tackled everything
he did with humour and enthusiasm. Simon – we
salute you.
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