THE local cycling fraternity is mourning the death of 66-year-old veteran class cyclist known as Harry Lall  (Schivcharran Heeralall) who passed away suddenly last Friday, some seven weeks after he was struck by a speeding minibus while on a training ride.

The popular National Park inner circuit veteran cyclist was hit by a minibus on the afternoon of February 4 just off Sheriff Street while he was heading for the East Coast. He suffered spinal injuries and was hospitalised at Prasad’s Hospital where he had surgery before he was sent home to recuperate.
Last Friday morning he was chatting with a close friend on the telephone about the new fitness regimen he would follow when he could be on his feet again.
He said then that he would never again go on training rides on the East Coast. However, before the day ended he had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by ambulance after suffering breathing difficulties and before nightfall he had succumbed.
Harry, a jeweller, was a member of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club and in his youth rode in track and road races against some of the-then reigning cycling stars.
Ironically, many years ago he lost his only son in a road accident after he was hit by a car while he was riding to school.
One of the first expressions of condolence to Harry Lall’s grieving family and friends came from US-based Coordinator of the Guyana Cycling Federation of North America (GCANA), Victor Rutherford, a yesteryear Guyanese cycling star who previously lived in Alexander Village near Harry who grew up there.
Meanwhile, since his demise the police at the Kitty Police Station who have been investigating the accident have said that they are in the process of preparing a file which is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
A family member said that she was informed by the police that an autopsy performed on his   body on Monday morning gave the cause of death as complications arising from a fractured spine.
Harry is to be cremated at the Good Hope Crematorium, East Coast Demerara, tomorrow. His body will be at his Toucan Drive, South Ruimveldt Gardens home for viewing from 10:00hrs to 11:30hrs before it is taken to the cremation site.
In honour of his memory several racing cyclists will be riding along the route, leading the hearse with his body to Good Hope.
He leaves to mourn his wife Sheila, his two daughters Indira and Sandy, four sisters, one brother, friends and the cycling fraternity.