Obituary: Bill McMullen dies aged 96
- Story posted January 4
- Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers founder member Bill McMullen Dies Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers founder member and former president, Bill McMullen, sadly passed away on December 21st aged 96. Along with a few other local enthusiasts, including his future wife, Dee, they formed the club in 1935, the Jubilee year of King George V. It was to be a club catering for social and touring only. All racing was prohibited, a good job really because nobody owned a cycle that could possibly be used for racing. Within a month, well attended club runs of 40 or more were riding to places as far away as Devon and Bristol. Bill, as secretary would book the cafes for the tea stops and the traffic free roads made it a golden era for British club cycling. Whilst Bill and Dee were away touring in the Lake District in the summer of '35, the club held its first time trial and it was obvious the club rules would have to be changed. A lot of furious training took place through the winter and in the spring of 1936, the club held its first official Time Trial, a “25”. The advent of a new club in the area was viewed with suspicion from the other already established clubs. However, as Bill mischievously remarked in 1985, when reminiscing about the early years, “other clubs began to miss their most dashing men members who were drawn to the bevy of beauties who made up the numbers in the Jubilee”.Bill served the club in almost every capacity from secretary, treasurer to president but it was his willingness to promote, marshal and help out at all the club and open events that set him apart. Most local racing cyclists will remember him sitting at junctions and roundabouts, waving his golfing umbrella in the air. Showing the way of course, but so obviously celebrating cycling.Billy Mac, as he was known, encouraged a young Barney Storey to race, the World and Olympic Paracycling track star recalls; “I was around 9 years old, my dad managed our football team and we played every Tuesday at the same place that the Jubilee had their club room. Every week Billy used to say to me 'When are you going to ride a bike' so I started riding. Then it was, 'When are you going to join the club” but it wasn’t just me he spoke to. Billy encouraged everyone to ride”.Bills other love was golf and after retirement, as well as cycling, he would play nearly everyday. Bill McMullen is survived by wife Dee, three sons and two daughters.
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