Comments on: Vale, Keith Guthrie

By: Iain Dephoff

Iain Dephoff — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 04:47:05 +0000

Sadly I’ve only just heard of Keith’s passing. Such a unique guy. If you needed something out of the ordinary Keith was your man. Looking for a certain type of tire I found one on line but thought maybe I’ll try CTC. Sure enough he had what I wanted and it was cheaper. I felt honored when he turned up at my surprise 50th birthday party. He is a great loss to the cycle trade and will be sorely missed.

By: Donna Hatcher

Donna Hatcher — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 04:45:23 +0000

In reply to martin fox.

Sorry to hear that Kieth has passed away what a helpful knowledgeable man another great cycle mechanic truly be missed RIP fly high ride on ride on…….

By: Brett DAVIDSON

Brett DAVIDSON — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:34:35 +0000

I dropped in to see Keith just a month ago and he was “the same old Keith”, so this news came as a real shock.
I was after an odd part for a gear selector and he was able to sort me out right quick.

My first experience with Keith was way back when he was in Armagh Street – he helped me put together
a bike along with Brian Phillips. I still have that bicycle!

Keith was my main goto man for anything cycling-related and he was a hellava nice guy to boot.

RIP Keith…I’ll meet you, cycling the fields of Elysium.

By: Joy Burt

Joy Burt — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:10:15 +0000

This is a shock. Just returned from a cycling holiday so missed the service this morning. Keith and I were at Papanui High School in the 1960s. He has been my first stop for bikes, repairs, etc. His knowledge will be greatly missed. May you always have a smooth path and a backwind Keith.

By: andrew banks

andrew banks — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 06:45:07 +0000

from my early days going to hobdays keith built about 30 bikes for me over the years .a humble man with great knowledge of bikes i was very sadened to hear of his passing a man i always admired a man i was pleased to know and remember. rest in peace

By: Des Ellery

Des Ellery — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:33:50 +0000

I am very saddened to hear of Keith’s passing. You will be missed. I have known Keith since 1976 when I moved to Christchurch. His Knowledge of All thing Cycling would certainly rival Wikipedia.
I fondly remember many visits to CTC on the corner of Armagh & Manchester Streets on Friday Evenings. R.I.P.
Des Ellery

By: Noel Andrew

Noel Andrew — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:52:34 +0000

keithwas a dear friend and i first met him through our sheared intrest in Penyy Farthings and all thing cycle related. when i moved to christchurch as teenager Kieth was always there to help, i worked on and off at the manchester store round my studies at CPIT, and really felt like family there, keith treated his staff like family and we always respected him for this. Cycle trading was a special store where real cyclist could go, and was the only place for anyone with an unusual vintage bike. it was a center for early cycle couriers who were often at the shop. the stock of parts that were out the back were without match and every service was available there. there was even the remainders of the frame building set up there last used by Brian Philips, along with full paint and sandblast with a full oven out the back. nothing was out of the question and it will be a key part of the cycle culture here in Christchurch. he will be missed by many and thursday will be a very big service.

By: David Tennyson

David Tennyson — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:14:47 +0000

Saw Keith just a month ago and he was ‘the same old Keith’, so this news is a real shock. I have been based in Wellington and was building a bike wheel set. I wanted a special axle to finish it and got the run around from the Wellington cycle shops.:

“That’s a very unusual size” “Nothing in stock at the wholesaler” “We can order in but you will have to wait four months.”

Back to Christchurch, I went and saw Keith. He disappeared out the back and returned with the axle I wanted – sorted. Always willing to help, always willing to chat. Looking after a bike just won’t be the same without you Keith. Rest in Peace.

By: Alan Hood

Alan Hood — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:03:58 +0000

I have known Keith since 1968, when i started working for his father Jim and his uncle Doug Pettigrew, at Hobdays Cycles. When it was necessary i was sent down to Cycle Trading to help with an overflo of repairs. I think that over the 50 odd years that i have had in the cycle industry, that i also worked for Keith another 2 times at Cycle Trading in the later years. Also i can recall getting the odd strange part from Keith over the years that couldn`t be found from the normal sources, whilst working from other cycle shops.

By: Grant O'Brien

Grant O'Brien — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 07:32:22 +0000

I think I’ve known Keith as a cycle man since around 1974. He was a wealth of knowledge. Sad to read, he’ll be missed.