Reading Cycling Club

Monday July 21st was Anthony Maynard's funeral. The hearse was accompanied from the Maynards' home to the funeral by a silent procession of 70+ cyclists, the majority wearing their Reading colours. It was an impressive sight from within this "peloton", and must have looked quite striking to all the passers-by. Thames Valley Police assisted by providing an escort vehicle that did an excellent job of allowing the procession to progress unhindered through the busy traffic in centre of Reading. The funeral was attended by a couple of hundred mourners - far too many, in fact, to fit in the hall at the crematorium. This was a clear indication of the impact Anthony's life had on so many.

At the funeral, we heard moving tributes to Anthony from Sue, Dave and Theresa, also from Anthony's grandfather, uncle and cousins. Roy Booth gave a tribute from all of us in the club.

It was an emotional occasion for all, but still with some moments of humour as people brought back memories of Anthony with their words.

Dave expressed his thanks to everyone who had provided support over the last couple of weeks. Some club members, particularly Nick Crocker, Adrian Lawson and Roy Booth have been to the fore in these efforts.

The funeral was covered by BBC South Today, which showed views of the cortege, the crowd at the crematorium and a short interview with Adrian Lawson.

The main news page with tributes to Anthony can be found here.

David Ivory was released from Hospital at the end of last week, to continue his recovery at home. He spoke to the Reading Evening Post about his feelings after the accident.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2032025_death_of_anthony_ever_on_my_m...

Anthony Maynard, son of Dave Maynard, who many in the club knew well, and counted as a good friend, lost his life in a road traffic accident while out cycling on Thursday July 3rd. David Ivory, who was the only other rider with Anthony at the time, also sustained serious injuries and is in the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

The club would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to Anthony's family, as they come to terms with this appalling news. Our thoughts are also with David Ivory and his family.

Roy Booth has expressed eloquently what I think we will all be feeling today:

"I have been with RCC since the late 1980's; this is the worst thing that has happened in the club in that time. Everyone who knew and rode with either Anthony or his father could only hold both of them in the deepest affection. Always good humoured, always acting in their characteristic way, a father and son with such deeply harmonious interests, formidable performers on the bike and the nicest, most principled men off it. Those members of the club committee that have heard this dreadful news have all reacted with the uttermost shock and dismay, as will the club membership at large. We have all lost a friend.

All our thoughts will be with Dave, with Anthony's mother, and the rest of the Maynard family, at this awful time, and we will never forget in the future. "

Some thoughts and memories from other club members:

Reading CC is organising a few events connected with Bike Week, please look at the links below for more details.

There is a Club Run for Beginners , a Come & Try It Time Trial and a Training Ride for Beginners .

The club now has a good stock of summer and winter clothing available - if you don't already own a club jersey or shorts, now is the ideal time to buy them, before your size sells out ! Let's take pride in our club, and wear our colours whenever we can - whether in races, Sportifs, training rides or clubruns. It's really one of the best adverts for RCC, and as an added bonus the clothing is also excellent value & quality.

Click here for details of how to buy clothing

As listed in the latest copy of Tailwind, your club clothing orders need to be with Trudi by Jan 31st. This will be the last chance to order clothing for this summer, so please get your orders in now - details here