Cyclists in Aberdeen donned lycra and climbed on their bikes to pay tribute to a north-east legend yesterday.
A procession of more than 100 people rode from Hazlehead to the crematorium in honour of Derek Stewart who achieved cycling glory during his retirement.
The 80-year-old died following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer this summer.
He was born in Torphins and spent his childhood between Aberdeen and Royal Deeside. He took to cycling at a young age and, while riding with the Deeside Thistle Club in the 1950s, became ranked among the best in Scotland.
Mr Stewart’s early passion for bikes was put on hold when he was did his national service with the Royal Air Force.
During the next five decades, athletics and football were the main focus of his physical activities, but after entering into semi-retirement from the oil and gas industry, he took to the pedals once again.
Following his return to the Deeside Thistle Club, he achieved lifetime personal bests and age records in 10, 25, 50 and 100-mile trial races.
When he competed in the British Championships in Suffolk, he raced alongside people 40 years his junior.
And he picked up numerous titles including the British time veterans 25-mile championship and the Scottish veterans title in 2011.
Mr Stewart’s enthusiasm for the activity was highlighted by the fact he would frequently ride 200 miles every week and was winning the Scottish championships until as recently as 2015.
Two years before that, he featured on the game show Amazing Grays, which pitted old against young in a variety of different sports.
In his first appearance, he went up against a cyclist in his twenties who defeated him thanks to the offer of a head start.
His second challenger took off at the same time as him and was beaten.
Mr Stewart was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August and died at his home.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Irene, their children Kevin, Julie and Caroline, and granddaughters Tania, Lorna, Catriona and Ella.
