Thursday 13 March 2025

All at British Cycling were saddened to hear of the passing of Len Pascoe last month.

Len Pascoe - born in 1939 - like many, he rode for fun. This fun extended to club runs, and growing up in Cornwall there were early rides with Cornish Roads CC. On moving to Yorkshire when he was 21, he joined Chesterfield Couriers with Trevor Wragg and Brian Jolly.

A move back to Cornwall saw him become a major force in the southwest. He had helped set up and run Mid Cornwall CC, Kernow CC, Choughs RC, Bike Chain Ricci and was a key advisor for Saint Piran Pro Cycling.

He was not only a prolific volunteer, from marshalling, to sign on, but he was a prestigious grassroots - road and closed circuits - race organiser. The number of events he contributed to as an organiser and commissaire totalled into the hundreds.

He was also famous for his race commentary, including top races such as the National 25 Championships and the Redruth Town Centre Pro-Am races. These races saw several pros and a host of amateurs compete over an eight-year period.

These events became the backbone for a golden era of Cornish cyclists at a time when there were sixty first cats (highest ranking at the time).

One of his proudest achievements was with World Champion Norman Shields, setting up the ESCA English Schools Cycling Association. Aimed at schools, it delivered many aspects of cycling. The organisation grew and helped to signpost young people to both grassroots and elite sport.

Over the last 20 years, Len focused on the youth sections in cycling and spent countless hours coaching and guiding.

A lifetime in cycling, with cycling, for cycling.