Meadowbank Project, Derek Marloe.

Although i didn't know Derek Marloe that well, the few encounters i had with him over the years whether chatting between races at Meadowbank or in the process of photographing him left a favourable opinion, so i was saddened to hear that he had passed away last year.

While scanning these shots today for this slightly overdue post, i realised that most of the pictures of him were taken either sheltering from the rain, packing up after not being able to ride because of the rain or in the top shot pacing above his good friend Alex Wharton with the ominous look of rain on the horizon. To travel the length of the country for as far as i know not much money, if any at all, with the possibility of not actually getting to ride, shows the dedication and love that Derek had for the sport and the want to help put on the show of Derny paced racing.

My first chance encounter with Meadowbank Velodrome was one of the summer Grand Prix's more than eight years ago and although slightly confused i was instantly hooked, the abiding memory being totally contradictory to the green credentials of cycling, the atmosphere created by the noise and smell of the Derny bikes. I don't know if Derek was actually there that day but to me he was part of the show as much as the cyclists and other Derny pacers (Alex above and of course Davie Urquhart) that created that amazing atmosphere. A doff of the hat Mr Marloe, chapeau.