Michael John Gambling (25 Jul 1935 - 4 Sep 2022)

CC Breckland – Facebook 22/09/22

Ged Coles
RIP Mick.

Brian Davies
RIP Mick.

Martin Badham
A momentous farewell.

Sue Rogers
It was a lovely and poignant send off. We heard about Mick's National Service in Eqypt at the time of the Suez crisis, his subsequent campaigning for introduction of a war medal for those who did National Service during those years. Also we heard about his epic swimming to save four people's lives in Sea Palling during the bad sea floods. It was lovely to catch up with Becky Durrant who told me that Mick had a beautiful tenor singing voice ... maybe that's why the congregation yesterday were asked to stand and sing two songs? Louis Armstrong's What a wonderful world, and Abba's I have a dream. It was also lovely to meet Cynthia Carey, who was 12th in the 1962 women's world road race championship was also there. Mick came in to Doris Day's Que Sera Sera and the song as we all left was Frank Sinatra's My Way. RIP Mick.

Ricard Cave
MJG was a great contributor to cycling. RIP.

Bruce Hunt
I'm sure he would have appreciated the humour in a 'wheely' good send off. RIP Mick.

Pete Ruffhead
A great man .. my late Father John R rode many of Micks Vets events ! RIP MJG.

Brian Spooner
RIP Mick. It was an honour to have known you and ridden with you...mostly behind you since you were so strong. Sadly missed. Brian

Alan Newark
Lovely. I can imagine him now up in heaven writing a report on his funeral, and how they could at least have used aero wheels. Good to have known you Mick.

Graham R Snowdon
RIP Mick. Both my wife's grandparents were dispatched at St Faiths.

Adrian Turner
A great man and rider Rip Mick.

Lesley Donington
Given a good send off, RIP Mick.

Michael Beasant
A fine send off for a great bloke.

Jon Greengrass
What a wonderful send off RIP Mick , from all of the Greengrass’s.

Helen Lambard
RIP Mick.

George Bennett
RIP Mick.

Richard Cave
RIP MJG.

Karl Read
Very fitting tribute.

Chris Wright
What a lovely send off RIP.

Jon Chuckle
A true gentleman RIP.

Eulogy written by Fraser Gambling

Michael John Gambling born 25 July 1935, passed 4 September 2022 aged 87.

His father was Arthur Henry Gambling born in 1910 (passed 1967 aged 57) was a plumbing engineer for Panks and his mother Hilda Annie (nee Taylor) born 1912 (passed 1985 aged 72) was a school cook and an accomplished self taught piano player. His father loved motor cycles, speedway and was also a volunteer boxing instructor at Norwich Lads Club on King Street, from 1930 until 1960. Michael’s grandparents had passed away in the 1920s, before he was born.

Born on Wheeler Road, Norwich, known as part of the Drayton estate in his time (later became Mile Cross), Norwich. Possibly an only child but there may have been an earlier birth, that unfortunately did not progress into childhood. His father had quite a large number of brothers and sisters and they congregated to live in the same locality. One of his father’s brothers was Edward Albert Gambling (born 1905) who as well as being a Council Corporation engineer, was a trades union official, a Labour Councillor from 1946, Sherriff of Norwich in 1967 and then became Lord Mayor of Norwich 1968-1969.

Michael often reminisced about life in world war two wartime Britain, his evacuation to Yorkshire 1939-1940, food and fuel rationing, together with the corrugated metal air raid Anderson shelter, his Dad built, dug into the back garden in anticipation of the Baedeker air raids of April and June 1942 on Norwich, especially the goods train station, known as the Norwich City Station, which was bombed and not rebuilt post war. A number of bombs were dropped near to his house causing serious casualties to friends and neighbours but his house luckily survived without serious damage.

The school attended from age 11 in 1946, was the City of Norwich School, known as the CNS, which was a grammar school, as he passed the 11 plus entrance exam, where he excelled at sports.

In February 1953, whilst holidaying with his mother at Sea Palling, aged 18, he was present during Great East Coast North Sea floods. He was a strong swimmer and saved more than 4 people from the storm surge flood water, by swimming to their properties and pulling them to safety. Unfortunately, there were still 7 casualties in the village, that night which he never forgot about.

His parents bought him an indenture (a form of professional apprenticeship) training to be an architect from 15, as he achieved the required 5 GCE exams but he dropped this at the earliest opportunity and was called up for National Service at 18 in August 1953 in the British army.

By the age of 19, he was already an army Sergeant (Royal Army Service Corps) serving in Egypt and Palestine, known as the Canal Zone. He was very reticent in talking about his service with his family, but it came to light that one occasion, single handled, with an often unreliable, short barrelled automatic Sten gun and one full magazine of 30 rounds, he drove off, at very close quarters (they got within 10 feet of him), a group of armed Arab insurgents who had infiltrated his base at night. In the 1980s and 1990s, he campaigned for the government to introduce a medal for those who served on National Service 1949-1960, as some far flung locations for national service, were highly dangerous and he witnessed so many incidents involving fatalities, which typically went unreported and unrecognised. The government put in place a scheme in 2004.

Michael used the location of his national service, Egypt close to the Red Sea, to improve his long distance swimming capabilities, extending to over 25 miles, without resting. The highlight of military recreation was to watch Doris Day films, projected on the cook house, white painted, brick wall. A film often recalled was ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’ with James Stewart, from 1953 and that produced the funeral entrance song Que-Sara-Sara.

On completion of his national service, he was awarded the General Service Medal with Canal Zone Bar, just before the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956, he was demobbed. He said he quickly burned his uniform, on arrival home, so he could not easily be called up as a reservist again to serve for the Suez Crisis.

Michael quickly obtained work in insurance, for the General Accident Insurance Company managing the Norwich and Kings Lynn branches from 1956-1975. He met Sylvia, who he married in 1960 and (Fraser / only child) arrived on his own 29th birthday, in 1964, whilst he was working at the Kings Lynn. From 1975, he felt that the pressure of his insurance role took too much of his time and he wanted to pursue his sports journalism and time trial cycling further and moved to working in NHS accountancy, at Thorpe St. Andrew Hospital, until retirement in 1985 at 50.
A total technophobe, he even avoided power tools, struggling on with ancient hand tools, inherited from his father. Michael would not learn to type and in that way, distanced himself permanently from any intentional, personal involvement in the computer age from the 1990s.

As cycling clubs, he initially joined the Sprowston Wheelers in 1950, then moved to the East Anglian Cycling Club around 1953 and continued in various clubs for 70 years, ending with Cycling Club Breckland.

He was a weekly writer for Cycling Weekly on national time trial events and humorous feature articles called ‘Gambling On ....’ from 1958 for 32 years.

Michael had an enormous capacity to give himself to the cycling community. He worked in the voluntary side of sports and cycling promotions through the Norwich Cycling Association and Sports Council for over 20 years. In the 1980s, he became the official cycling coach for East Anglia, the British national triathlon coach for the cycling element of the sport and a regular mentor for Norfolk junior cyclists until 2015.

Michael’s first awareness of spiritualism was through a number of healing session at Norwich Spiritualist Church to help him deal with the physical injury aftermath of a road traffic accident in 1981, attended further services in 1997 and participated in mediumship in 2019.

From Cynthia, Dave & Victoria. In fond memory of Mick. A friend on two wheels for over 70 years.

Message from Sue Rogers (Fenwick) 21/09/22

Dear Fraser and Marifel,
Today was a poignant and fitting sendoff for Mick. Jared did a wonderful job and he and Serena are a credit to you and Marifel, and to Mick and Sylvia too.

Time Trialing Forum 09/22:

Nobby Clarke: His articles and race reports were top drawer stuff and extremely well written. Sorry to hear of his passing. RIP.

Andrew Bright: Sad news. I spoke to him a few times over the years.

Glenn Taylor: Very sad news. Mick was a constant presence at events across Norfolk and Suffolk when I started in the mid 80s, riding and reporting for Cycling Weekly with an engaging and witty style. A real gentleman.

Paul Gittins: Sad news, I always enjoyed his writings in Cycling. I’ve got his book which I suppose is a collection of the Cycling articles. Well worth looking out for on the pre-owned marketplace. Liquorice torpedo anyone?

From the facebook page of Sue Rogers (Fenwick)

David Nock: Also used to be Master of Ceremonies for the East Anglian Veterans Time Trialling Association dinners every year, giving funny introductions to local riders. RIP Mick.

Michael Beasant: An absolute legend, sad I never got to meet him, vague memories of being at the same events but never spoke. I enjoyed his writing, one more over the great finish line in the sky.

From 80s Cycling Remembered 09/22:

Vic Haines: I remember him well. Straightforward honest guy. Remember him riding the tandem once on the E31 ten mile course in Essex with Martin Pyne who was on the back! They started with a big effort and Martin twisted Mick’s saddle sharp left as it wasn’t tight enough. Myself and Noel Lilley were behind them and roared with laughter. RIP Mick.

Simon Daw: That’s very sad. Mick was a true cyclist’s cyclist and I used to enjoy reading his work.

Steve Shakespeare: well said.

Brenda Robins: RIP Mick. Thank you for the laughs over the years! Such a nice man.

Richard Cave: RIP Mick.

Tony Cxs: RIP, Nick Rambling.

Chris Radford: Very sad, that’s another one from my memory bank now gone.

John Tierney: RIP.

Bill Barrowcroft: Never met Mick but sounds like he did a lot for cycling RIP.

Nick Garnham: Very sorry to read that.

Rob Godfrey: love (emoticon)

Michael Roberts: crying (emoticon)

Legends of the RTTC 09/22:

Mick Fairhead: sad to say that Mick Gambling passed away this morning.

Mick Ballard: A great character and cycling reporter. RIP.

Alan Watling: Never met him or Alan Gayfer - clearly competent journalists, sadly missed, never forgotten.

Richard Cave: He (Mick) wrote a book, a collection of his cycling contributions. His oblongs, great style and captured the moment. RIP ps he was a great 2up partner, loads of shelter!

Ian Cammish: Sad news indeed. Mick was a bright and funny man. Great articles in the Comic back in the day. RIP Mick.

Graham Snowdon (of Snowdon Sports Editorial who provide copy for publications including Cycling Weekly): Very sorry to hear this. Mick's often offbeat columns were very popular, and for around ten years he also contributed race reports via Snowdon Sports. This rather sadly came to an end as we moved into the 21st century and dear old Mick refused point blank to have anything to do with new technology, which would have meant him submitting reports by computer rather than spend 40 or 45 minutes dictating his notes over the phone.

Brian Spooner: So sad to hear of Mick’s passing. Lovely man. I was with him when a pheasant brought down the chaingang. Mick broke his collar bone but insisted on riding to the hospital. Awesome.

Richard Bradley: oh no another one from my cycling era gone.

Reuben Howden: Very sad new! His enthusiasm for and contribution to cycling were huge. Will always remember the rapid front wheel change he did for me when I broke a spoke in a 100 – 30 years ago.

Graham Snowdon: Anybody know how old Mick was?

Answer: Mick had a birthday party for his 80th in summer 2015 so that would make him just about 87.

Maria Blower: I’m very sorry to hear this sad news . He was the first journalist to interview me for CW and and as Sue has said was very supportive of women racing, he was a man ahead of the times.

Nick Hanson: I met him once, bit of a story, but he was a real gentleman. Such sad news. I met him at the Harrogate week of cycling, 1984. A real gent.

Bryan Hopkinson: RIP Mick. A kind and gentle rider, who would help anyone, with his cycling advice. His articles were good and humorous.

Bob Jolliffe: Particularly remember an article he wrote about trying to get a sun tan in his garden at Easter. Others all good too. Rest in peace Mick.

Mick Madgett: So sorry to read this! Can recall Mick from my teenage years (& probably before!) onwards.

Michael Keith Watson: Sorry to hear such sad news.

Brian Davies: RIP Mick.

Dave Whybrow: Nicest of guys, great reporter, always made us welcome to Norfolk RIP Mick.

Richard Carrington: Sad news. Always had time for a word. If you have a chance to read his book, a compilation of his Cycling Weekly articles from many years ago, do. A great wordsmith and a good read. RIP Mick.

Kelly Van Der Toorn: I’m pretty sure it was Mick who wrote articles about my dad Alan Newark using words like ‘phlegmatic’ and I had to pick up a dictionary to figure out what he was saying - … Big thanks for the enthusiasm and life you brought to the time trial scene Mick Gambling! RIP

Pauline Wallis (nee Strong): Very sad news, Mick was a valuable supporter of women’s cycling back when many weren’t, lovely gentleman x

Simon Hare: I only raced against Mick a few times but his was the first page I turned to in the Comic (Cycling Weekly) before going to the results pages, followed by the classifieds. RIP Mick and thanks for brightening many a Thursday.

Peter Pickers: So so sad news he was a great rider and done so much for the sport we love RIP Mick.

Nick Dunkley: Oh No! Enjoyed Mick’s company for many years. He gave a lot to cycling. A sad day. RIP

Willie Kirkland: Sad news – loved Mick’s Beano column. Happy memories of racing against him at one of the early Guernsey Easter Festivals. RIP Mick.

Chris Worsfold: Sad news, Gambling was always one of the first things I turned to every week in the comic. Also you could always be sure of an interesting and amusing report of any event he was present at, covering for Cycling.

Gail Summerlin: RIP Mike stayed with there few times super guy

Roger Chappell: Such sad news. My condolences to all his family. Yet another legend gone.

Richard Cave: RIP a great team mate, advisor, journalist, cyclist, humourist. A great loss to cycling.

Martin Napier: RIP Mick, fond memories of his column in the beano, also of a funny moment at a Guernsey Easter festival in the 1970s, when Mick had to ride the hill climb in his track suit bottoms, as he’s forgotten to put his shorts on! RIP.

Don Saunders: Mick will always be remembered for his 110% enthusiasm for cycling and his 365 days of the year suntan. RIP Mick

Andrew Hutchison: So sorry to hear such sad news, he helped many of us, such fond memories of a great man.

Bryan Harper: Very sad news, remember Mick well from my schoolboy and junior days.

Michael Beasant: Was one of the best reporters from the quality comic days. And as knowledgeable as our old friend the Clacton gnome, Dennis Donovan.

Simon Dewis: RIP Mick, it was an honour to know you.

Colin Parkinson: A lovely man, he knew my cycling grandpa who lived in Norfolk for many years. He used to pin articles he’d written about him for Cycling Weekly or Eastern Daily Press to my number when I would go across to ride Breckland events. A real character.

Roger Bryant: That’s very sad news, great guy, RIP Mick.

Pete Ruffhead: What a great rider and character! My late father John Ruffhead always rode his events.

Tim Ford: Always very readable an a nice sense of humour. RIP Mick.

Andre Jeoffroy: a great loss RIP.

David Creese: Very sad news, such a nice and amusing person, he will be sadly missed. RIP Mick.

Chris Myhill: It’s a sad day. That’s two Norfolk legends lost in the space of a couple of weeks. Mick was so encouraging when I started racing in the early 80s – he had such a generous spirit. I’ll always remember him as always being immaculately turned out, his kit and bikes were always pristine. As has already been mentioned, his race reports were insightful, articulate and, at times, hilarious. I last saw him in 2019 at Reepham Café where he was celebrating his birthday with some of the other east Anglian old boys (Dave Anness et al). I joined them for a short ride back to Norwich and it was glorious. RIP Mick, you’ll be sadly missed.

Dave Barker: Only ‘knew’ him through his columns. Great sense of humour and clearly totally committed to our sport.

Malcolm Davis: Very sorry to hear this. Quite an author as well. RIP Mick

Joe Empson: Sad news. I knew Mick from about 60 years ago when he came round our house to go riding with my eldest brother Doug. RIP.

Graham Mann: That is so sad, a real nice guy, always friendly.

Joe Waugh: So sad a special man.

Ken Price: Sorry to hear. My first year in Norfolk 86 I raced a four-up team time trial with him. He was powerful, did a long turn on the front. RIP Mick.

Graham Barker: Sad news. Remember his reports in Cycling Weekly. RIP Mick.

John Griffiths: Used to love his column in the comic, RIP.

Dean Annison: Classy both on and off the bike, and always encouraging to us slower riders.

David Surridge: Very sad news RIP.

Peter Armstrong: Loved his column in Cycling back in the 70s. RIP.

Helen Lambard: Oh no, that’s sad news. Great guy.

Lesley Donington: Sad, was a regular contributor to Cycling back in the day when there were loads of event results! He wrote good articles and race reports in Cycling when it was full of race results back in the day! Another cyclist gone to the big clubrun in the sky!

Richard High: Such sad news. RIP Mick

Janet Mullins: So sorry to see this news RIP Mick x

Peter Smith: Sad to hear that, was always very friendly RIP

Sheila Hardy: So sorry to read this news. RIP Mick Gambling – lovely man. Xx

Robert Smith: So sorry to hear this news I was only talking to him last week RIP.

Perry Bradley: Another legend of the old comic, gone.

Bill Sedgwick: Aww that’s sad, I used to love reading his column in the comic, very funny.

Derrick Woodings: Very sad news! RIP Mike.

Michael Oliver: Sorry to read this, very sad, RIP Mick, part of the fabric of cycling (and Cycling Weekly) for me in the 70s and 80s.

Ian Bancroft: Makes you feel old. Our generation. RIP.

Philip Lewis: Great rider.

Alan Strong: RIP Mick.

Karen Line: Sad news. He wrote an article for Cycling Weekly about me winning the Junior British Best All Rounder competition and I think he also took me to a training session in Leicester.

Callum Anthony Gough: He was a really nice guy RIP

Douglas Shaw: RIP Mick

Dave Doust: RIP Mick.

Andrew Hillman: Sorry to hear this. RIP Mick.

Geoff Wood: A big part of my enjoyment of my initial years reading Cycling. After the time trial results and reports it was straight to Mick’s column.

Len Orrick: Sad news RIP Mick.

Christine White: RIP Mick.

Ade Gower: My god can this stop please brgds.

Gerry Kilduff: Sad loss.

I will miss our banter on Tuesdays

From John Togher, Crest CC:
John Togher, Crest CC 20/09/22
He came and met us at Norwich YHA on the Tandem Weekend. He wrote very amusing articles for The Comic and I always looked forward to reading them. RIP.

From Graham Adams, Crest CC:
Graham Adams, Crest CC 20/09/22
I remember Mick Gambling and his great reports, always made us laugh with his listings. I had a Tandem w/end to Norwich Youth Hostel and he heard about and came along to have a chat with us all. Kept us entertained for a while before we crept down the pub. Great chap.

Many happy memories on the tandem.

A great friend for 70 years.