It is my very sad duty to tell you that Ian Dixon died last Friday while on a cycle ride. He died suddenly and instantly from a massive heart attack. He was 61.
I first met Ian many years ago and like many on here had cycled with him on many audax events, especially those Scottish events starting in Galashiels. Ian was a chatterbox - and I say that affectionately, he was good company on any ride and fairly helped the kilometres fly past. He had organised cycle events, most notably for us was his Clarten ower Caldbeck 200km from Longtown. Ian also helped organise a charity ride - Cycle the Solway took place on Sunday, two days after he died. He rode PBP in 2007 (and finished, in time!) and helped at LEL.
I met up with Ian again when I was riding a Galashiels event late last year when Ian was acting as controller. We agreed then to revisit Eskdalemuir one day, which we did, and Ian proposed we organise a social ride. I suggested Ian take us to Bewcastle on roads he was familiar with.
The day was last Friday and due to circumstances, only myself and Archieboy were able to ride. We met at Ian's farmhouse and he led us on a scenic and interesting route to Newcastleton. We had lunch there and set off for Bewcastle. We climbed gradually until we came to the top of a steep descent where we took our jackets off and had a breather. Ian warned us of the descent and equally steep ascent on the other side. He said in that typical cyclists' 'I'm not that fit, I haven't been out much' way that he would be walking the steepest bits. We descended quickly, took the bridge over the Kershope Burn that marks the border of Scotland and England and immediately started climbing. Archie and I wheezed our way up and waited at the top for Ian. He was never coming so we retraced to near the foot of the climb only to find Ian lying on the grass at the roadside. He was already dead, his bicycle lying on top of him.
Friday 10th July 2015 was one of the saddest days of my life and one that Archie and I will never forget. But it was also a happy day - Ian was in good spirits, he was happy, he died doing what he loved, without pain or suffering and in such a beautiful spot that no-one could plan it better.
Yesterday, Archie and I took Ian's family to visit the site where he died and explain to them how it it had all happened. Yes, there were tears, obviously, but lots of smiles too as we all stood in the sunshine and talked about Ian, his daughters recounting happy stories about their dad. Ian was 'one of the good guys' in so many ways. He will be badly missed, painfully so by his wife and family.
Ian's funeral will be held at the church of Kirkandrews on Esk next Wednesday, 22nd July at 3.00pm. This is a beautiful little church set in a field just off the A7 to the north of Longtown - very near the border where Ian lived, died and will be buried. He will rest in peace.
