Robert John Jefferies was an English

English people

The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

 cyclist, who was the bronze medalist at the British National Derny Champion

British National Derny Championships

The British National Derny Championships are annual bicycle races held in the UK.The event is often known as the motor paced or stayers championships, but this is a misnomer because a motor paced or stayers race is one where the pacing machine is a modified motorbike of anything from 100cc to...

 in 1999, and also silver medalist in the Keirin at the British National Track Championships

British National Track Championships

The British National Track Championships are held annually. Organized by British Cycling, they are competitions of various track cycling disciplines in age, gender and disability categories.-Senior :-Amateur :...

 in 1993. He was also a teacher and had a degree in Silversmith

Silversmith

A silversmith is a craftsperson who makes objects from silver or gold. The terms 'silversmith' and 'goldsmith' are not synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product varies greatly as does the scale of objects created.Silversmithing is the...

ing.

Jefferies not only competed his bicycle

Bicycle

A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....

, but was also very much involved in supporting grass roots cycling and helping other riders, which made him a very popular man. He was employed as Volunteer Support Officer and then as Officials Education Officer for British Cycling

British Cycling

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle racing in Great Britain. It administers most competitive cycling in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man...

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Jefferies was killed after being struck by a car whilst cycling along the A351 near Wareham

Wareham, Dorset

Wareham is an historic market town and, under the name Wareham Town, a civil parish, in the English county of Dorset. The town is situated on the River Frome eight miles southwest of Poole.-Situation and geography:...

. A ghost bike

Ghost bike

A ghost bike or ghostcycle is a bicycle set up as a roadside memorial in a place where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured...

 was placed next to the roadside where he was killed in tribute. A memorial ride was also held, attended by over 70 cyclists including his wife and daughter, and went across Studland Heath

Studland

Studland is a small village on the Isle of Purbeck in the English county of Dorset. It is famous for its beaches and nature reserve. In 2001 Studland had a population of 480, the lowest in 50 years...

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Palmarès

1993

2nd Keirin, British National Track Championships

British National Track Championships

The British National Track Championships are held annually. Organized by British Cycling, they are competitions of various track cycling disciplines in age, gender and disability categories.-Senior :-Amateur :...

1999

3rd British National Derny Championships

British National Derny Championships

The British National Derny Championships are annual bicycle races held in the UK.The event is often known as the motor paced or stayers championships, but this is a misnomer because a motor paced or stayers race is one where the pacing machine is a modified motorbike of anything from 100cc to...