Mick Stanley

FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a Suffolk man who has cycled 152,000 miles since 1972 – more than six times round the world. Mick Stanley, from Lodge Road, Hollesley, died after suffering a massive heart attack. A member of Ipswich Bicycle Club, the 69-year-old loved cycling with a passion. After his death, a diary was found which recorded his 152,000 miles, the circumference of the world being nearly 25,000 miles. Mr Stanley leaves his wife Billie, 6 1, two children, Tina, 3 7 who lives in Felixstowe, John, 34, who lives in Hollesley, and their grandchildren, James, 9; Ben, 5, and Matilda, 3. Daughter-in-law, Jane Stanley, 31, who lives in Hollesley, with husband John, paid tribute to the loving family man. “He loved cycling. He used to go out most days for a ride and often did a 30 miles round trip or more,” she said. “He also did a lot of gardening and was an electrician until he retired with the Property Service Agency (PSA).

“He used to cycle to work every day. He never took a car.”

Born in Chelsea, London, Mr Stanley’s passion for cycling began in 1951, when he joined the Belle Vue Cycling Club in London. “He started pursuit racing on a track when he was in London. He then met his wife and moved to Suffolk in 1956,” said Jane. “She lived in Suffolk and he moved down here with his company. “He worked for a while on the RAF married quarters at Alderton, and he actually lodged with his wife’s family. That’s how he met his wife. “When he went back to London, before they got married, he used to cycle down here every weekend and see her.” Mr Stanley came to work at Orford Ness with the PSA and he built a house at Hollesley. He also worked at Bawdsey Manor RAF station. Then when that closed, he moved to Bentwaters for two years before retiring. “He got a long service medal award. I think he done over 35 years with the PSA”, added Jane. He was very friendly, jolly chap. He was someone who was quite dependable and would not think twice about helping anybody. “He was a great family man, his wife had a big family and he had a sister who died just after Christmas. He will be sorely missed.” Keith Hill, from Ipswich Bicycle Club, had known Mr Stanley for 25 years. The cycling he did was time trails, distances of 10 miles to 24 hours when you cycle as far as you can… not many riders do that,” he said.,”He always supported club events and always had a happy smile, helping setting up a Cyclo-cross course in the pouring rain! Anything to do with cycling Mick was there to help”, said Mr Hill. Shortly before his death earlier this month, Mr Stanley had taken part in the Plomesgate 10 mile time trial at Sudbourne. “He helped our team win,” said Mr Hill. “He just enjoyed riding. Everybody in the club liked him. What more can you say, really?”

Mick Stanley was cremated at West Chapel, Ipswich.

Shortly before his death earlier this month, Mick had taken part in the Plomesgate 10 mile time trial at Sudbourne where he helped the IBC win the team prize. Sadly though Mick missed seeing his name in the ‘Comic’ the following week.

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