Remembering Paul Carbutt
Mon, May 2, 2022 
Paul Carbutt 1976
Much has been written about Paul Carbutt since his untimely passing on May 1st. 2004 at the relatively young age of 53. He is often remembered most for his record-breaking ride from Land’s End to John ‘O Groats 1979, although his career achievements were many and varied. However, I have never shared my personal memories of Paul.
As an amateur he represented Great Britain in the 1976 Olympics. He rode a bike I had built for him, which helped me gain recognition as a framebuilder. I built him one frame in 1975, which he rode in the Tour of Britain. (Milk Race.) I built another in 1976, which he again he rode the Milk Race, and the Olympics as part of the Team Time Trial event.
That frame pictured above, as I remember was painted a metallic gunmetal grey, with bright yellow panels where the decals were placed. There were strict rules back in the 1970s, regarding amateur status. I could not advertise the fact that Paul was riding one of my bikes, but by displaying the name prominently on both the seat and down tubes, increased the chance of the name showing up in press photos.
Paul Carbutt number 2, in the 1975 Tour of Britain
I remember asking him what size frame he rode. “I don’t know, you tell me.” Was his answer. Again, going by memory, I built him a 21 inch frame. (53 cm.) Another story I heard after the Olympics, Paul arrived in Montreal, Canada, with one green brake cable housing, and the other blue. It was all he had at the time, and it didn’t matter to him, the bike would go just as fast with odd color cable housing.
Of course, it drove the rest of the team crazy, and the cables were replaced before the event, but it showed Paul’s carefree attitude. The bike was necessary equipment needed to race. Function mattered, aesthetics, not so much.
Paul Carbutt in the 1975 Tour of Britain
A week or so after he returned home from the Olympics, Paul made a special trip to my shop to thank me in person for my support in supplying him with a frame. He brought with him several large black and white professional quality photos of him and the bikes I built, some of which I show here. He also brought an assortment of Olympic pins that he had collected from other Olympic athletes.
As I have mentioned Paul Carbutt and other top international class riders, seen riding my frames, resulted in a tremendous boost in sales. It should have been me thanking him. But this was his nature, and the way I remember him. Just a kind and loving person, who cared about the feelings of others.
I knew Paul Carbutt at least two or three years before I began my framebilding business. Riding in the same time-trial events in the West Midlands area of the UK. He probably didn’t know my name at the time, but would recognize and remember me, and always have a friendly word. He would often catch and pass me during the event, and again always have something sociable and pleasant to say.
I remember Paul Carbutt, I remember the other British riders. We entered into very casual agreements that were to our mutual benefit. The lesson I learned and pass on now, is this.
As you embark on a career, be it a profession, or as an athlete or artist. Be nice to everyone, whether they can help you or not. You may meet again, you may not. They may be able to help you, they may not. They will at least remember you and remember your name and will do so long after you have passed. Just as I remember Paul Carbutt.
Reader Comments (2)
Paul Carbutt has been gone almost two decades, yet here you are devoting a column to remembering him and how he behaved in the world. There is so much wisdom in the last paragraph - all of us should read it three times. But it is a shame that you had to write it at all. Why should we need to be reminded to be nice to folks we meet?
But we do need to be reminded, don't we? Thanks, Dave...
And a similar message to last week, 'don't burn bridges'.
Be nice to those who you meet on the way up, you will see them again on the way back down.