Cycling icon and earthquake victim honoured

A young Ross Bush adding another win to his name.

Oct 12th, 11. A Canterbury cycling icon and earthquake victim will be honoured this weekend in the historic Le Race cycle race from Christchurch to Akaroa.

Ross Bush, a local bricklayer and well-known Canterbury cyclist was tragically killed in the February 22nd earthquake when his car was crushed by a falling building facade.

As a New Zealand representative cyclist, Ross had a strong cycling history with national titles to his name.

In his younger days Ross featured prominently in the Christchurch to Akaroa handicap race (before it was revived as Le Race).

He set the fastest time in 1969 and won the event outright in 1970.

To honour Ross' life and cycling legacy, his family have donated the 'Ross Bush Memorial Trophy' to be awarded to the fastest junior rider to complete the 100 kilometre ride.

The trophy pays tribute to Ross' cycling passion which was ignited when he was a teenager. Ross won many of the country's top cycle races. He still holds a number of long distance endurance records, including the Cape Reinga to Bluff trek which took him only 6 days, 11 hours 48 minutes.

Ross raced the Le Race Christchurch to Akaroa route many times. In April 1969 Ross' wife went into labour while he was working in Akaroa. He cycled the 100km journey over the hills from Akaroa to Burwood hospital just in time to see his daughter Liana born at midnight.

Despite being 74 years old when he was killed, Ross was still cycling, a passion which he shared with Liana.

"He was one of the most passionate people I knew when it came to cycling. It really was his life besides his family," Liana shared.

"I was riding with my father right up to the February 22nd earthquake. We would bike out to Tai Tapu and meet up with some of his mates of similar ages, not that he ever wanted to admit his age! We would have coffee and spin a few yarns about the going-ons in the cycling world."

Liana will present the trophy to the fastest junior on Saturday.

"The trophy was donated by my Uncle Dave and his family. It's an extremely kind gesture and I will feel honoured to present this trophy on behalf of my Dad.

"This Saturday my partner Marcus will be riding on behalf of Ross and will be wearing one of his cycling tops. As I am more of a social rider I will be the support crew. I've been told it's a dam hard race!"