It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Deryk Wylde, formerly editor of ‘Off Road Review’ magazines, plus a plethora of motorcycling books and publications.

Born in Leeds on 18th June 1938, his parents were both Yorkshire dales people. Deryk and his parents had a family disagreement which persuaded the young man to stop the deferment of his national service and do the service, he then found himself being told to report to Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, the rest is still subject to the Secrets Act!

He became an electronics engineer and that enabled him to take on some interesting employment, much of it overseas. He assisted in the design of various police, airport and harbour control radio systems as well as radio signalling on the Canton – Kowloon railway and then the Hong Kong underground. Deryk became proficient at writing technical articles.

He was married to Mary who became a keen photographer and took photos to adorn the copies of Off Road Review magazine which he self published under ‘Ariel Publishing’. His books were sold under Nostalgia Books.

Deryk wrote many books on motorcycling, including one on the AJS and Matchless brand. He also had a fortnightly column with Trials & Motocross News called ‘Wylde’s Classic Bikes’ until a disagreement with editor Bill Lawless saw Deryk walk away to do his own thing and Off Road Review was born. Deryk was a stickler for detail, he researched everything thoroughly, never relying on old newspaper reports as they could be inaccurate at the time of publishing. Instead he delved much deeper, even contacting those he was writing a report about.

At one stage, he and his wife Mary moved to near Paris and Deryk became involved with the organisation of the St. Cucufa trial, an event supported by many British factory riders. What wasn’t universally known was why he lived in France. This then became clear that he was based at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), NATOs strategic headquarters which was based near Paris from 1951 until 1967. Deryk led an interesting life for sure.

In his ‘Off Road Review’ magazines, he had a section set aside for corrections of previous editions, such was his meticulous approach to detail. He strongly resisted the desire financially to attract advertisers unlike most of the periodicals. However this used up much of his savings and Deryk ceased production of the popular publication at edition number 99.

Deryk lived at St. Harmon, Powys, Wales, having lost his wife Mary, he packed his bags and headed north to live at Sallachy, just a stones throw from Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland.

Deryk Wylde was a purist when it came to older motorcycles, he never saw the need for modernising a perfectly good machine and was openly critical of rider’s attempts to do this and wrote about it. He was also a fervent supporter and promoter of the concept of what he referred to as “Old School Journalism” and called out those who copied other’s work.

However, the Pre65 movement owe a great debt to Deryk, as it was he who effectively created the movement as early as April 1973 called the ‘Shawforth Shake’.

Wylde: “It was behind the Red Lion pub on Shawforth Moor, we had fifty-three entrants, the winner was Arthur Lampkin on his rigid Gold Star. I grew up with the Lampkins, my first personal profile was on Arthur for British Bike Magazine.”

The following year it was repeated and the entry grew to 117 riders. Deryk dreamed up the description ‘Pre-65’ in his column in Trials & Motocross News and a new sport was formed. He then created the ‘Sammy Miller series’ and ran it for thirteen years plus. With friend Ian Rennie, he researched the Arbuthnot Trial and then recreated it, now a firm favourite with many riders.

At the turn of the century there was the issue of the ‘Millenium Medals’ for many aspects of public service and Offroad Motorcycle Sports journalism was one of the topics selected. Two were awarded, one to Ralph ‘Rafe’ Venables and the other to Deryk Wylde.

During the 2020 Covid outbreak and the temporary suspension of TMX News, Deryk and his dear friend of many years, Barry Robinson from Ilkley, formed an online trials newspaper called ‘Trials Ex-Press’ being a play on words as both had been Pressmen, hence ex-press. Online was chosen as paper publications were becoming very expensive and required financial support from advertisers. The two former colleagues at Trials & Motocross News and MCN worked hard at the project, enlisting a wide spread group of enthusiasts to report on local trials. Sadly, Barry Robinson passed away in 2023 and the project was shelved.

In now failing health, Deryk befriended a lady from Cambridge, Margaret Pratt, who was his companion for five years.

Deryk Wylde passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday 7th December 2025 aged 87 years, at his home, leaving a legacy of motorcycling memories, photos, books, magazines and information that took a lifetime to amass.

Trials Guru conveys sincere condolences to Deryk’s family and his companion, Margaret.

Funeral arrangements:

Deryk’s wishes were to have a ‘pure/direct cremation’ with no ceremony at church or crematorium. Deryk Wylde was cremated at 08:30 on Monday 15th December 2025 in accordance with his wishes.

DERYK WYLDE 1938 – 2025

Condolences and Remembering Deryk Wylde:

Tony Davis – Former Greeves, BSA, Montesa, Bultaco and Suzuki rider:

“I knew Deryk and Mary for so many years. Deryk was very instrumental in starting the real Pre65 scene and I remember Deryk asking me to ride in one of his very early trials which was held in the western centre. I had just retired from the modern trials and thought why not? My good friend John Husband loaned me a BSA B40 and I so enjoyed riding that event, taking in so many of the old national Cotswold Cups sections with plenty of cross country and road mileage. I rode in all classes of his British Pre65 rounds and how good and natural they were. The Pre65 scene owes Deryk so much and I will miss his devotion, enthusiasm, knowledge and friendship very much.“

Nick Jefferies – Honda, Yamaha, CCM, Dalesman factory rider:

“This is such sad news. Deryk lived and breathed the off road sport. I can remember him as a West Leeds Club member back in the 1960s. His Off Road Archive on facebook social media has entertained all of us for years. Thank you Deryk, and Rest in Peace.”

Jeffry Florentine:

“I was in the US Army when I went to SHAPE, which was just west of Paris on the autoroute de l’ouest. We went to Comerford’s in my VW, which had a roof rack. I was like a kid in a candy shop there! 

There must have been 50 used trials bikes all stacked up against one another. We picked out my Matchless from somewhere in the middle, so some bike shifting was done. I got an alloy silencer and a few other bits, too. We partially disassembled it in the parking lot, put the frame with forks on the roof and the rest in the back seat. Customs at Calais didn’t want to see or know of it. I surely had a lot of fun riding that bike with Deryk.

We visited Deryk in 1974 while he and Mary with their 2 girls were living in Bury St. Edmunds. That’s when he was with Lynx Telecom. I haven’t seen him since, but we kept in touch sporadically by phone. I’m still riding. 2008 BMW R1200RT with a side car.“