Cylists to pay tribute to Perth man who died on his bike

Mar 12 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A CORTEGE of bike riders resplendent in racing colours will pave the way for a hearse carrying cycling fanatic, Neil Abbott, on his final journey today.

The former co-owner of Perth’s Bread in Heaven and founder of cycling team CMC died on Wednesday last week after collapsing off his bike near the top of Perth’s Burghmuir Road around noon.

Neil is believed to have suffered a massive heart attack and despite being ferried to PRI within minutes via ambulance, doctors were unable to revive him.

The sudden death of the uber-fit, 45-year-old athlete, who leaves behind wife Fiona and two step-daughters, has left family and friends, including the Fair City’s cycling fraternity, in shock.

Before climbing into saddles for last Sunday’ Reliability Run, Perth bike racers paid tribute to their fallen comrade with a minute of applause following an emotional eulogy by close friend, John McLagan.

Guest of honour at the Muirhead race starting line was Neil’s wife, Fiona.

Neil’s pal, Paul Innes, who will be riding in today’s cortege, said his departed friend had been “as fit as a fiddle”.

“Like everyone else I was in complete and utter shock when I heard Neil had died,” he said.

“Neil was in prime condition and I’ve honestly never met anyone with as much passion for two wheels.

“He was such a competitive rider but also inspired others to be their best, a real people person.

“He had an amazing collection of cycling memorabilia on display at Bread in Heaven, which is still there and I guess will now be a fitting tribute.”

Born in Dundee on August 24, 1964, Neil spent his formative years in Arbroath, where his first taste of what would become a life-long passion was riding a clunky, cast-iron bike as a delivery boy for the local Spar shop.

An expertise in bicycle mechanics, which he was always willing to share, was derived from working at a bike shop.

Initially carving out a career in pub management, where as a trouble shooter, he’d revive the fortunes of ailing pubs in places such as Aylesbury and Coventry, Neil’s path, and destiny, finally led him to Perth, and Fiona.

Fiona said although she was immediately taken with Neil, he was slow on the uptake, until, after being prompted by mutual friends, he agreed to a date, after which they never looked back.

The pair opened popular coffee shop, Bread in Heaven on High Street in 2003 – which Neil only sold a few months ago to spend more time with Fiona – and married next year at a fairytale wedding, complete with a horse-drawn carriage, at Huntingtower Castle.

While Neil described Fiona as the best thing that ever happened to him, Fiona referred to her husband – who without fail, every day, would tell her how much he loved her – as the “icing on my cake”.

l After the cyclist-led cortege arrives at Perth Crematorium today, six riders will carry Neil’s coffin inside for a 12.30pm service.