Cycle club pays tribute to member with bicycle wheels guard of honour at funeral

A cycling club has paid a touching tribute to one of their members by creating a guard of honour with their bicycle wheels at the man's funeral yesterday.

Hundreds of cyclists paid tribute to "loving and generous" grandfather, Don Lock, at Worthing Crematorium yesterday, while more than 2,000 people are said to have lined the streets during the funeral procession, reports the Express and Star.

Don Lock, who was 79 and a member of Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club, was stabbed to death during a suspected road rage attack  following a minor collision with another car while he was driving.

At the funeral, which was attended by about 800 people, cyclists escorted the hearse, and formed lines at the entrance to the chapel, creating the arch with their front wheels as Mr Lock's wicker coffin passed underneath.

Family and friends wore dark blue, light blue and white - the colours of the cycling club and of Lock's favourite football team, Brighton and Hove Albion.

Mr Lock's son, Andrew, who arrived in his Worthing Excelsior kit before changing into a suit for the service, said:

"Somehow I think he will still be in the lay-bys and verges cheering us on.

"I think it is fair to say if dad was not a man he would like to be a bird, but as a man he did the next best thing, he rode."

Mr Lock finished his tribute by describing: "Dad cycling through the pearly gates, wearing the yellow jersey. You have won Dad."

A tribute by the Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club described Mr Lock as a "legend" and said he was "a genuine sporting talent in his chosen field and an amazing human being for whom helping and encouraging the people around him came as second nature".

"Don was a truly talented rider holding many club records and trophies during his outstanding and long racing career, he was still winning events up to 2010," it added.

Don Lock's daughter said her father battled and beat prostate cancer over a four year period.

Mr Lock's widow, Maureen, described him as a loving and generous man who supported his family and friends, including members of the cycling club.

"I will miss him so much. I am so proud he has touched so many hearts. When Don was taken from us, it was the most heart-breaking situation possible.

"The support we had from all around the UK and beyond has been phenomenal, thank you for your support."

Matthew Daley, 34, of Worthing, was charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place in connection with Mr Lock's death. He is due to appear at Hove Crown Court on 25 September.