Glowing tribute to Clifford Micallef (1)

It was about 7.45 a.m. when a cyclist friend told me that while she was at hospital with another cyclist who had just had an accident she heard some sad news that a cyclist was run over. My immediate reaction was to ask her whether they were both Lifecycle cyclists, to which she said one wasn't but she did not know about the cyclist who got run over. Any such news is devastating whoever it may be but having spent the past four months with the Lifecycle "family" it is logical that my first reaction would be so. Fearing the worst, communications between Lifecycle members ensued but none were aware of the accident let alone who it was.

Fifteen minutes later, Liz, the Lifecycle administrator, called me and my fear turned into reality. "Cliff is dead," she said. It did not sink in and I asked her how he was... "Cliff is dead," was the reply. "Dead." I asked. "Yes, he died on the spot."

Incredible. I did not know Cliff before I joined Lifecycle but from the few months we spent together I could gather what a great and humble man he was. Cliff was a joyful person of a few words but his presence was an added bonus to the cyclists and backup team. Cliff was a leader. Going through footage I have filmed over these four months I realised this further.

Last Sunday's training session in Gozo was full proof of this. He was the first cyclist to get out of the ferry and one of the last to leave the quay en route to our destination. During the loop itself, Cliff waited for his cycling partner Tony, who, incidentally, was the second Lifecycle cyclist to be run over this year. Yes, Cliff was the fifth Lifecycle cyclist to be involved in a traffic accident, this time resulting in his death.

Maria, Tony, John, Maria M had all tasted injuries due to reckless driving. While both Marias and Tony have recovered well enough, John, Cliff's previous cycling partner, will not be making the trip because he is still recovering and is with crutches.

Such is life. A co-incidence? God wanted Cliff to be one of his leaders? Who knows? He will surely not let God down as Cliff is a leader.

Last week, Cliff, together with his son, helped in the loading of the container and sent his personal belongings, spare wheels, bike rack and tool box with the container. When handing the toolbox to Fr Pierre, Cliff told him to take care of it as "it is very essential", to which Fr Pierre replied "I will".

Cliff was looking forward to the "challenge" and only the day before he told Theresa how eager he was for Thursday to arrive so as to start the challenge and also to this Saturday's family event where cyclists, back-up team members and their families were to meet at an informal gathering of games and BBQ after the various workshops that were planned. Cliff was going to moderate one of the workshops on bike maintenance and simple repair. This event has now been cancelled and we would all be at his funeral.

Cliff is gone but his memories will remain. His true qualities will be cherished. Cliff will be with us during the challenge, dampened yes, but we will be doing this in his memory also with one aim to raise awareness about renal disease and to help the Renal Patients and Transplant Support Group.

Our condolences to his wife Shirley, his three children and all his family.

Till we meet again rest in peace, Cliff, and thanks for being a friend.