TonyS

https://bmcr.org.uk/obituary-les-archer/ https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/announcements/deaths/deaths/18647462.Les_Archer/

Thanks David !!

Chris you've summed it up well. RIP Les

That's because it was on Saturday,and I saw you on Sunday, John Anyway as we both know, at our age (now I've caught you up again), we prefer not to announce them! Good to join your small group yesterday, even though it was only for a couple of miles. At least I got to my cafe before you got to yours.:-) Apologies accepted Hilary (non needed, of course)

Richard, see posts on Saracen private forum for updates.

More on the Spitfire & Javelin in Worcester News! https://www.droitwichadvertiser.co.uk/news/worcester_news/18568495.remember-spitfire-stood-outside-gates-perdiswell/

Nice to see some clubmates today, at various places en route. Even managed a quick roadside chat with three of them. Shout out to Moira, JohnS, SteveT (honorary member), Bev, Michelle, MikeH, ChrisP and RogerB 🙂

I have only recently been told that Dennis Baker passed away on 11th June, aged 92. Dennis was a founder member of the Beacon RCC and a regular attender at Saracen Wednesday lunches when Jim George was around to transport him. I am sure some Saracen members will also remember Dennis being a regular at the cafe atop Liveridge Hill on Tuesday rides. He had spent recent years in a Care Home in Rednal. As a former clubmate, I shall always remember Dennis as a club stalwart, always ready to lend a hand and encourage/support new (and older) members. He was a good and kind man, always interested in others and playing down his own personal and past racing talents. A true gentleman. I believe current circumstances dictated a family-only funeral. Condolences to his daughters, son Dean, and their families.

I have a vague recollection of the Spitfire when I was at Birmingham University in the late 60's. I remember being a little confused when I came back to Brum in the early 70's and saw the Javelin! All my 60's evening training runs were mainly out to the west as I lived in Bearwood, so I never had the pleasure of the Worcester bash, although I do recall thrashing down Bromsgrove High Street before it was pedestrianised. As for the Callow End circuit, somewhere I have a photo of John Varley, Grant (Granny) Thomas and me on the steps of the village hall. We'd won first team for VC Central in the Worcs road race. Prize was a bike chain each - cash prizes were against amateur rules back then (although there were ways round that)! We were young then, and carefree (with acknowledgement to Laurent Fignon - his biography is a great read).

See earlier post in Club News http://www.saracenroadclub.com/topic/31327-derek-harrison/?do=findComment&comment=45281

Thank you Hannah, and well said John. I know we don't know the details, but ignoring specific advice, especially on the weekend after two NHS staff have died, is inexcusable. Wearing club kit compounds the offence as it also brings the club into disrepute. FWIW, we have relations and friends on the front line and know the stress they are under (I'm sure we're not the only ones reading this in similar position). I'd heard about Sam but didn't know about John Mullen - hope they recover well. Stay safe, stay well, and if in doubt STAY AT HOME.

Sad news from the Beacon. Some of our older members will remember Les Ladbury. I was privileged to have known and ridden with him. He and Ann had a photography and picture framing studio at the Jinny Ring for several years. They were keen fell walkers and I have two or three framed photos he took in and around Great Langdale. Below is copied from the Beacon site, courtesy of George Barker : "Sadly, the club has lost another of its culture-defining characters. Les Ladbury died on Sunday at the age of 78. He had a degenerative lung condition, which he had known for some time was incurable; as far as we know his death had nothing to do with the current public health crisis.Les started with the Speedwell BC, before switching to the Beacon in about 1960. He soon became a central figure in club life, with his dry wit and flair for sometimes provocative but always affectionate repartee. Racing on the road and the track, Les showed himself to be a wily tactician, often outwitting opponents who otherwise would have had the edge.Les was originally a draftsman by profession but enjoyed a second career as a professional photographer. His meticulous and precise nature made him well suited to both roles and gained him a reputation within the club for invariably riding an immaculate machine.Lifelong Francophiles, Les and wife Anne bought a second home in France and spent a large part of their later years on the Gallic side of the Channel.Unfortunately, the present circumstances make it unlikely we can give Les the send-off he deserves."

Maybe an early warning of things soon to be. 1. A neighbour of ours took her dog to the papershop this morning. She was stopped by the police and asked if her journey was really necessary, then was told to go straight home (without passing go etc). Taking dog for walk was not an excuse. Now this may be over policing, or it may be that she's been noticed making regular trips to shops in support of us old'uns who are not advised to go shopping. However... 2. Last Wednesday I went for short ride around the lanes and saw a police car parked up in a field entrance. I also saw a few single and pairs of walkers, some single and a few small sets of cyclists, some presumably same household (older couples or with children), others fairly obviously not. Now the policeman might have been having a break, might have been looking for ne'er do well young car racers, or may have been keeping an eye out for roving packs of rabid bike riders. Conclusion : if some people (not Saracen members of course) continue to ignore advice, or try to 'stretch the envelope', we may all finish up being confined to within our immediate residential area. That's the early warning. Stay safe and keep well, don't do anything you shouldn't. Turbo is set up here and I suspect I may be using it a lot more.

Barry I agree entirely. Audax UK and Cyclling UK have both suspended group rides and activities. BC and CTT have suspended all racing. Most other sports have suspended group activities or are expected to do so soon. Regardless of age, it is only wise to follow them. This virus will not go away soon and in my opinion it is irresponsible to continue clubruns and even have cafe stops for the foreseeable future. For my part, like you, I shall continue to do solo non-stop rides unless physically stopped by the authorities. Only outstanding question is what constitutes a group ride - maybe two riders side by side permitted and don't ride in slipstream for too long? Comments please, especially from Committee members.

Along with Don Harrison (I think not related) Derek's name was mentioned in a conversation last night, and I've finally found the report linked below. Like me, older members will remember, have known and even raced with or against a lot of the names mentioned in the report. Unfortunately I never met Derek as he was in Manchester then France when I first came to Birmingham. But I knew of him and his pedigree. https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/features/derek-harrison-tour-de-france-pioneer/

Better keep referring to these pages and bear in mind what's posted are generally only major routes. https://capublic.worcestershire.gov.uk/WCCWebsitePublic/Home.aspx?WebsiteAlertId=35 https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=+pershore

That's very sad news and I echo Chris & Hilary's thoughts for Mavis and family. Sarashell told me only last Tuesday that Eddie was ill, but it's still a shock that he's gone so quickly. I hadn't seen Eddie for some time, but I had many dealings with him over a period of at almost 50 years, as an event organiser, timekeeper, District Committee rep and in more recent years as a Saracen member. His contribution to national and local Time Trialling, and above all to the Saracen Road Club, cannot be overstated. RIP Eddie

May I refer Barry to his earlier post re the Senior run "Ivor wont be going over the Lenches even under Turbo boost"

Christine & I went to Hillers. The toast was as thick as an elephants hide

Probably won't get over the Lenches or past Hillers, sorry.

What's the target Ivor? Maybe Hillers or Craycombe?

Likewise

After an abortive trip to Craycombe a few weeks ago when the entire place was shut, Christine and I went to Hillers today, joined shortly after we arrived by Pat Haddon plus Hilary and John Porter. Sat outside in the pleasant sunshine, had excellent staff service and enjoyed riding generally quiet roads on a lovely autumn day.

Thank you. I almost forgot!

Google is your friend. There's a big hill between here and there.