26  TRIBUTES TO IAN HIBELL

Collected by Barry & Margaret Williamson

November 2011

If you wish to add your tribute, please just send it to: Barry and Margaret

Kevin Hibell  (Ian's nephew)

'The only trip I ever managed with Ian was when he took my brother and me on a tour to North Wales from Bristol. Nothing extraordinary for him, but as a couple of young teenagers, it was an experience we will never forget.

Growing up with him as an uncle was a unique experience as well. Every now and again, a postcard from a far away land would drop through the letterbox and we would get the Atlas out to see how far along on his trip he was. You would also never know when he was likely to just pop in ...

I'll never forget the day he died– it was my wedding day. He was invited to join us in Aveyron (France) for the occasion but, Ian being Ian, he had already planned his fateful training ride. Trying to change his mind about coming to a “family do” instead of going on a trip would have been an impossible task, so I didn't try too hard.

I now regret not being able to change his mind, as he may still be with us now, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.'

Sally Brillon (of New York State and who knew Ian in the 1960's)

'Years ago Ian gave me your website but I had never gone to it because I mislaid the address. I was cleaning piles on my desk when I found it. I hadn't heard from Ian for 3 years and always wondered why. Coming to your site, I was shocked and saddened to read of his cruel death.

He had been a friend of our family in Illinois for 40 plus years. He lived at my parents' (Jim and Maryan Davis) rooming house in Rock Island, while he was earning money for travel across the US. He came back to see them many times and even had his slides sent to them for safe keeping.

When I was going to England about 1965, my parents said I should go to Devon to see Ian and his mom (or mum, as he would say). I had met Ian on my trips home from college and teaching. I like an adventure, so I went to Brixham and stayed with Ian and so enjoyed meeting his parents. They had never had a car, only bikes and motorcycles, which amazed this American. They hired a car to take me to the Moors for cream tea; it was so wonderful, I'll never forget it.

I'll also never forget Ian suggesting that he and I should take the motorcycle across southern England through the Salisbury Plain to Dover. I was about to take my first airplane ride with Ian and the motorcycle, in what seemed to me to be a lumbering WWII plane, to France and on to Paris.

Riding a motorcycle in Paris is frightening. I could imagine my hometown newspaper headline reading "American Girl Loses Leg in Paris". We were staying in Youth Hostels and missed the curfew because we were in the Moulin Rouge district watching the Ladies of the Night being picked up by the Sargent de Arms. When we finally got to the hostel the huge gate was closed. Ian suggested that we simply climb over, although I couldn't imagine how I would ever make it. Ian said just start climbing and with several big shoves from him over I went. Every place was so dark on our way to the building and inside. It was very hard trying to find your bed with everyone asleep. Another unforgetable time with the adventurer!

The last time I spoke with Ian was after my mother passed away in February 2007.

It is very sad to think of him gone. Thank you for caring about Ian so long.'

Mark Waters (Head of the CTC's Touring Department) wrote in the October/November edition of Cycle Magazine:

'News arrived just before we went to press of the untimely death of Honorary CTC Member and cycle tourist extraordinaire Ian Hibell. Ian was one of my heroes: his escapades by bike stretched the boundaries of possibility almost to breaking point. If you haven't read his book 'Into the Remote Places', then I urge you to beg, borrow or steal a copy. There you'll discover what it's like to cross the Darien Gap (a swamp, basically), cycle the length of the Anmazon Basin, and journey alone through the Sahara to reach Central Africa and then narrowly avoid death from the Green Monkey Fever epidemic.

If you met him you wouldn't believe he was the type; he was the most modest man you could imagine. Ian was travelling through Greece when he was hit by a driver, who was later arrested. We offer our sympathies to all his friends and relatives.

A short obituary to Ian appears in this issue. His relatives are hoping to publish his book 'Four Days at Ragged Point' in the near future. (We ran an extract in Dec 07/Jan 08.)'

John & Sally Watson (London - Cycled London to Delhi in 2006/7): 'We are deeply saddened to hear the awful new of Ian's death: it's a tremendous loss, not only to friends and family but the cycling community at large. The roads are festooned with nutter drivers. Hopefully the hit and run merchant who did it will get locked up for a long time.'

Nina Hutchinson (Dorset, England – Writer and traveller): 'I am so sorry to hear of the sad death of your friend Ian. I wanted to write to send you both my love, it was a tragic end to such a busy and full life. I don't seem to have adequate words at my disposal to convey my feelings, but if you were here I could say it all by giving you a hug.'

Rebecca & Kevin Watts (Queensland, Australia - Computer programmers and cyclists/world travellers): 'Very saddened and shocked at the news of Ian Hibell's death. You have our most sincere condolences for the loss of a friend. It's a tragedy that a life so fully lived was cut short. If there's anything at all we can do please let us know.'

Paul & Sheila Barker (Leicestershire, England - Writers and travellers): 'Now in Kosice in eastern Slovakia. Got your tragic report of Ian Hibell's death in Greece. That is a fearsome road, as we all know well, and we do hope his killer is brought to justice. You were kind enough to send us consoling words when our friend Dave Cooper was similarly killed in UK. Our thoughts are very much with you. We felt we knew Ian from your reports. With our thoughts.'

Keith Durham (Dordogne, France - World Traveller): 'I'm not sure why but I am pleased that his death has made the national news; it's not too often that  (extra)ordinary people get the recognition that they deserve, though it's such a shame that it happens following their demise. I was impressed by the number of people from different countries posting their comments on Timesonline - a great testimony to a great man. We should have a longer talk about vulnerability and the rationale behind cycling/travelling next time we meet.'

Keith & Jenny Dear (England - European Travellers): 'We were extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ian Hibell. Whilst we did not have the privilege of meeting Ian, we derived great inspiration from reading accounts of his amazing journeys. Our thoughts are with Ian's family and indeed with you both at this very sad time.'

Diana Coode & Barney Barnett (England - ex RN and world travellers): 'The recent news of Ian's Hibell's death was dreadful. The national papers here all had articles about Ian. Even prosecuting the driver is no consolation for such a tragic waste of life and, somehow it seems ironic that Greece was where you had your nasty experience a year or two ago.'

Ian & Judit Shires (Budapest, Hungary - Graphic artists and world travellers): 'We were both very sorry to hear about Ian Hibell's death. Even though we never met him, we have followed his adventures on your website and through your emails. What a character. The World needs more people like him.'

Dr Bob & Sandra Lyons (Spain – Writers and world travellers): 'We never met the guy but followed his journeys when we were on our first Oz trip. You lead your life and then it's gone. We say to so many people we meet, “this is the only one you have, it's not a rehearsal!” I guess it's the way that you touch the lives of the people you meet along the way that counts at the end - and not specifically like you and I and so many others who sign on for a career of helping people. It's the everyday kindnesses, humility, gratitude and openness that is a far greater epitaph.

We often recount how you touched our lives and set en train the life we have since led. Before yourselves we would have thought that such a life in retirement was 'strange' especially by UK standards. Once we reached Oz of course we realised that we really weren't alone. And that's it, as travellers you are never really alone and that strangers are just friends you haven't met.

Anyway these poor words both, I hope, pay tribute not only to Ian but to ALL the Ians like you, and hopefully us. We share your grief at the passing of a kindred spirit. We asked for prayers from our friends.'

Cynthia & Martin Webb (England – Writers and world travellers): 'We were saddened by your email - although we had never met Ian we had read of his exploits on your website and had great admiration for him.  Sad news indeed.'

Bill Pachis (England): 'Greece was the last journey of the hero Ian Hibell! I feel so lucky I met him and heard his advice! As I told you, he could be my grandfather. I really wish he could! Ian's Last Unknown Friend. Goodbye! Rest in peace.'

Ian Kenyon (Dorset, England - Writer and traveller): 'I am terribly sorry to read of the passing of Ian under such terrible circumstances. Even though I never met Ian, you shared some wonderful stories of him and he clearly was a great inspiration to you. For you to hold him in such great esteem, he truly must have been a unique individual. My thoughts are with you both as you mourn his death.

If there are any positives to be drawn from this terrible accident, it is that Ian died doing what he loved and this has to be far better than spending many years in slow decline.'

Bill & Ruby Johnson (Perth, Australia - Cyclists and world travellers): 'Likewise, although briefly, having used this medium for contact, we had communicated. I was deeply impressed that, with all the people he must have had to keep up with, he took time to say hello. I salute a really great human being.'

Ian Inglis (Scotland): 'So sad to hear of Ian's death.'

Julie Rand (England - CTC Information Officer): 'Thank you for forwarding this to us. We were also very shocked to hear of Ian's tragically early death in such a needless fashion. I am writing to ask permission for us to use a shortened version of your moving tribute in our magazine 'Cycle' and also in our weekly email newsletter, as an obituary for Ian, and to also put a link to your website.

Pauline Wardle (North Island, New Zealand - Sheep farmer and cyclist): 'I am so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Ian Hibell. His escapades through China, where he survived that horrendous crash to get back on the bike and carry on, were just legendary. I loved reading his experiences on your website. He was an inspiration - I would be happy to contribute to some sort of tribute that his friends think would be fitting for such an explorer.

A good man taken before his time.'

Jeannine & Barry Sippel (Australia): 'This is sad news. Not getting the chance to say goodbye to someone so much loved is a hard thing to contemplate. A comforting thought about Ian Hibell is that a person like him would probably choose to "die with his boots on". Stepping from a wild garden in Greece, straight into God's eternal garden in heaven, we trust. What a victorious way of life and death!'

John Foster (Greece): 'That's a bit of a shocker, Barry, what a wicked waste!  Make no great plans, eh?'

Patrick Walsh (England): 'So sad to hear of Ian Hibell's tragic accident. Read his book back in the eighties and it was a great inspiration to me as well as a gripping tale. God rest his soul.'

Lars Ritterhoff (Germany - Round-the-world Motorcyclist): 'I met Ian in Summer 2005 in Russia somewhere between Chita and Chabarovsk (travelling by motorbike myself) and spend an afternoon with him. I was so absorbed in talking with him that I forgot taking pictures except one immediately after we met (and which is the reason for this mail - just to add to your collection).

I usually hate this kind of "me and someone" pictures, but I'll put the blame on those Russian bypassers who initiated this picture and I must admit, without them, I would not have a single picture of that - for myself - remarkable meeting.

I hope my next large trip will be by bicycle as well and if it will, one reason for the trip will be an afternoon somewhere in Siberia.'

Agustin Egurrola (World Traveller): 'Like so many people, I admired his enthusiasm and fortitude. Let's hope he did not suffer long. This news puts an extra sobering edge to my next bicycle trip - from Mexico City to 100 Mile House, in British Columbia, next year, after having collected my 75th calendar. Wish me luck!'

Unlike Ian, I am a "normal", "ordinary" citizen, but have integrated many trips on foot, by bicycle, pushing a home-made cart, with a donkey, alone, with wife and children; more recently with my girlfriend, in six continents. All trips done in the simplest style and with a budget that most people, including "spartan" travellers, would regard as "Impossible".'

Amanda Hibell (England) wrote the following on a website with the link - http://istanbultea.typepad.com/largefellaonabike/2008/09/very-sad-news-i.html: 'I'm Ian's niece. Obviously we, his family, are very saddened by his death, but also consoled slightly by the fact that he went doing exactly what he loved. He would never have been happy growing too old to explore the world by bicycle.

You may be pleased to hear that Ian had just finished writing a second book, "Four days at Ragged Point", which we, his family, are hoping to get published. Like "Into the Remote Places" it is a fantastic read, so please watch this space.'

Barry & Margaret Williamson (Currently motorhoming in Bulgaria - Cyclists and world travellers): 'Ian was Britain's greatest touring cyclist. He lived for the bicycle and for a life on the road, breaking his journeys only to earn money for the next one. He had ridden in almost every country in the world, including all the Pacific islands. He had ridden from Nord Kapp (the northernmost point of Europe) to Cape Town, crossing the Sahara alone, and then from Tierra del Fuego at the foot of the Americas to Alaska at the top, including the first crossing of the Darien Gap.

More recently, entering his eighth decade, Ian rode alone from Rotterdam to Vladivostok (through Mongolia and Siberia) and then from Bangkok to Vladivostok (via Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and China). The full story of these rides, including his diary of the last ride, and more on his remarkable life is to be found on our website at: www.magbaztravels.com/content/category/7/23/29/.

Ian contacted us before he left the UK on his fateful ride to Athens, from where he was due to fly back to the UK. It was to have been the summer when he regained his fitness, after spending time working on his cottage in Brixham, Devon. We were hoping to visit him on our return to the UK.

He died doing what he loved the most - cycling - but it is also horrible that a life as rich and full as his should be ended in a moment by an uncaring driver. We know Greece and we know Athens and it takes a person of Ian's experience and courage to ride there among the unskilled and uncontrolled traffic.

It was a privilege to have known him and to have worked with him, not least on his great journey from Bangkok to Vladivostok. Ian will always be remembered among cyclists and by all those who admire an outstanding person with unremitting fortitude. Ian had all the attributes of the great British explorers.'