San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

e-mail from Nigel Walsh, the other rider injured with Tony

I'm one of the riders that came a cropper today on the hill south of Wittersham. I'm back home after spending most of the day in A&E but with a dislocated collar bone and ripped tendons that will keep me off the bike for a few months and finish my Etape ambitions. Unfortunately the guy that hit the motor bike and brought me down is worse off, it seems he has a broken pelvis.

I just wanted to get a message back to you to thank the 2 guys from your club that stopped and attended to me while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. It was was very much appreciated and a credit to SFACC.


It was a great ride up until I fell off and I will be back next to complete the course. Sorry about the typing it is all one fingered!

I must add my thanks to Ron, for organising the SFA sportive, I only hope I can do it justice next year , and to all the helpers (please think about helping me next year , I would be very grateful for any assistance).

I am also saddened to hear about Tony and Nigel, I did see a Fairy in Maidstone A&E (as I spent 7 hours there yesterday afternoon/evening getting my wifes broken wrist and associated swelling sorted out), but he was just leaving so I didn't get the chance to say hi to him. I hope everyone involved in the accident makes a full recovery, and I hope it isn't too long before they are back on the bike, especially Tony, as I know he has only just recovered from his shoulder problems caused by a crash during the winter.

I must say thanks for the group I was in, it was a great ride, and I doubt I would have got a gold time without the great teamwork. Thanks to Ian for company for the last 10-15 miles.

Well despite my initial doubts I completed the ride, no medals for me though!!

Thanks to all the helpers on the day and to Ron for the organisation. Finally a BIG thank you to Sandy and Joan (SFA, C group) who I rode with all day and who helped me along. Your company and enthusiasm were really appreciated.

Hi All,
My fastest ever 70mile ride at 20.4mph av......can't see me doing that again in a hurry. The long climb up to Goudhurst was torture at the end. Anyone fancy doing a writeup of their day for the mag? Must be with me tomorrow or thursday at latest.
I was just ahead of the lads that crashed out....hope they are on the mend soon. That is a very nasty bend if you dont know it.
Steve, If I get a gold time I don't think I will be riding next year so will be happy to help you.

Rob

Results now on the club website. Photos to follow.

Steve, If I get a gold time I don't think I will be riding next year so will be happy to help you.

Looks like you have got a new job next year Rob! Congratulations.

Silver by one minute...


Grumble grumble grumble....

Rob T wrote:Silver by one minute...

Likewise for me - but I did ride most of it by myself.

If it's any consoilation a number of riders were just 1 minute inside a standard...........................

ronlee wrote:If it's any consoilation a number of riders were just 1 minute inside a standard...........................

You can go off some people...

Dave S wrote:

Rob T wrote:Silver by one minute...

Likewise for me - but I did ride most of it by myself.

I'm surprised the roll for Pat didn't sway the result Dave

Clive's photos are now on the website - in the Clubruns section.

Just had a phone call from Ray Whibley after he visited Tony in the William Harvey hospital.

He said Tony is in good spirits and is hoping to go home either this evening or tomorrow.

Good news re-Tony,also well done Phil and Damien on the joint first place,did'nt realise you beat the whole field.........

Hi all - thanks for concern.
I'll give an account of my version of events and progress so far.
I suppose one of the dangers of riding a sportive is that not all participants are used to group riding at pace - I'd already experienced some gittery moments prior to the crash with people in front of me braking hard and not shouting about potholes. I guess what happened on the downhill bend is that the cyclist took it too fast and was forced wide. I came round the bend to see a bike bouncing towards me then....
Have a fractured pelvis and two ribs. Good to be home eating decent food and not having to endure the dystopian environment of the hospital ward. There were two other older guys in there that had both been knocked over by cars one a pedestrian the other a cyclist who was in a serious condition.
Have restricted mobility but am making gradual progress - whats that line about patience and virtue?
Thanks to all those who stayed back to help on the day. Ron as always a diamond. There are times when one realises what a great club we have on all levels.
Some of the times set by those such as Phil, Damian, Nick, Steve and Ian were amazing. (Only a couple of months ago Steve was not sure if he could hack it with the A group!)
Hope to see you in the not too distant future, though I think any thoughts of racing this year are jettisoned - I might be joining Ron on the trike.
Tony

Hi Tony

Glad to hear your on the mend after the crash sounds very painful.

See back on the hills soon