Standing at 5’5”, Fred Tedge was “the little local legend” of Midland.

Born in Gwalia north of Kalgoorlie in 1922, Fred was a Goldfields cyclist of note with numerous 1st place trophies to his name.

Not merely a country rider making up the numbers, his 2nd place with time honours in the 1950 Menzies to Kalgoorlie - a race that drew thousands of spectators - made him a rider to watch in any field. In the 50 mile Eastern Goldfields Fallen Cyclists’ Memorial Race of 1954, he mixed it to the end with the visiting professional cyclists from Perth finishing 3rd.

Having spent most of his working life in the mines, Fred moved to Perth with wife Joy and children Brian, Rod and Pam in 1958. They settled in Ashfield and he found work at the Midland Railway Workshops.

In the early 1960’s, Fred started working for Eddie Barron managing the Midland Flash Sports Depot along with Bob Dreger. With his background in cycle racing, passion for sport and fitness combined with his quick wit, Fred was a recognisable and popular figure and became synonymous with Flash, working there until retirement in the early 1980's.

A respected elder in cycling circles, he would quietly share his wisdom with riders, guiding them on how to prepare and ride races to win. His shed in Ashfield would reek of liniment from the who’s who of riders that would drop in to have their legs rubbed down after a ride.

Fred rode his 1967 metallic blue Flash into his 70’s. Even in his 80’s, every night he would go into his shed to do some miles on his trainer while listening to his favourite radio station.