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Richard Ballantine

Printed From: BHPC Website
Category: Archive (pre-February 2015)
Forum Name: The BHPC
Forum Description: Discussion about the club
URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=4846
Printed Date: 28 March 2024 at 4:15pm
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Topic: Richard Ballantine
Posted By: AlanGoodman
Subject: Richard Ballantine
Date Posted: 29 May 2013 at 5:58pm
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Richard passed away this afternoon.
 
I'm sure most of you know that he had been unwell for some time but he remained constantly in touch with all things BHPC until very recently.
 
It's been an absolute pleasure to know Richard and to work with him on the BHPC Committee and he will be very greatly missed.
 
An announcement will be made shortly about the funeral arrangements.
 
In the meantime our sincere condolences go to Richard's family at this time.
 
 
 
 


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Replies:
Posted By: Andrew S
Date Posted: 29 May 2013 at 8:46pm
This is very sad news. Richard has done a huge amount for the Club over many years, as a promoter and motivator and as a useful stabilising influence at times. It was great for us to be associated with such a high-profile name and he will be very greatly missed.


Posted By: GeoffBird
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 12:21am
'Richard's Bicycle Book' in it's various manifestations was a formative influence on me in the 1980's and played a major part in the resurgence in cycling that started around then. To later get to know Richard personally was a great honour.

The term 'ambassador' in the informal sense of the word suited him well - both in that he was a high-profile figurehead and that he had considerable skill in diplomacy. But he never played on his deserved status and reputation and always remained approachable. His spontaneous enthusiasm for the benefits of cycling in general and HPVs in particular was even more infectious in real life than it was in print. Zzzwwaaaammo!


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Right Time - Right Place - Wrong Speed


Posted By: legs_larry
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 12:42am
I'd been inspired to take up "serious" cycling after happening across a copy of "Richard's Bicycle Book" around 1981 and met the man for the first time a couple of years later.  We had certain "political" differences regarding the way forward for the "HPV movement" but I am still deeply proud to have had Richard as a mentor and friend for thirty years.

I'm sure I'm not the only person here whom Richard inspired to take up cycling and I doubt we'll see the likes of anyone with his combination of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to communicate same any time soon.

b****r, I'm getting drunk tonight :(

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====================

a bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds


Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 4:12am
Message from Shawn Ballantine...
 
Dear Family and Friends,

We wanted to share with you that our beloved Richard passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.

To celebrate Richard's life we are planning to hold two memorial services, one here in London this coming Sunday 2nd June and another one for family and friends in New York (date to be confirmed).

This Sunday 2nd June at 10am there will be a service at The Golders Green Crematorium. We will meet before the service for a procession to the crematorium. Richard will be travelling by bicycle hearse - people are welcome to use any mode of transport, including bicycles to join the procession and the meeting point and time will be confirmed soon by email.

Dress code: Richard would have liked people to wear whatever they fancy, so dress up or dress down as you like.

Flowers: In lieu of flowers we suggest that donations be made to the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead in Richard's name (11 Lyndhurst Gardens London NW3 5NS) or to a charity of your choice.

Gathering: The funeral will be followed by a celebration of Richard's life at 6 Primrose Hill Studios (an alley between 39-41 Fitzroy Road) London NW1 8TR. You will be fed and watered, ideally please let us know if you will be coming so we can ensure enough supplies.

We will be compiling a book of tributes and memories of Richard which you are most welcome to contribute to.

Ride on!

Team Ballantine



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Posted By: blogwat
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 9:21am
Hi Folks
sorry to hear such sad new firstly deepest sympathies to his family from what I have heard of him he was a very inspirational man ,having only met him once he seemed to be a very kind and knowledable guy i'm sure he will be missed greatly by many people.
Jeff.


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when your up to your waist in aligators they forget to tell you you've got to clear the swamp


Posted By: Andhar
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 10:16am

I echo peoples comments here as I was also inspired by his books and articles in various cycling magazines(some of which I still have). I had a tear in my eye when I read about his funeral arrangements. The bike hearse seems so apt and the informal dress. One the true cycling greats as far as I am concerned.



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Andrew Harrington


Posted By: Adrian Setter
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 10:39am
Richard's inspirational writing was largely responsible both - in the form of Richard's Bicycle Book - for my taking up cycling seriously and - through pieces in Bicycle magazine - for sparking my interest in recumbents.  I'll always be grateful that he contributed to my enjoyment of my life.  Through similar influences on others, he made the world a better place too.
 
And, whilst I'm happy never to have had the need to kill a dog, I've been far less afraid of them since I read how to do it.


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Challenge Hurricane - MicWic Delta (Front half) - Burrows Ratracer


Posted By: Paul Lowing
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 11:58am
Sad news indeed.




The song is ended, but the melody lingers on...
Irving Berlin


Posted By: tosgh
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 12:24pm
There have been two men who inspired me to take up recumbents; the first Ron Beams, sadly no longer with us who I had the privilege to have long discussions with about his vision of the future for human powered transport and Mike's books who likewise highlighted the benefits human power could potentially bring to mankind.
He will be sadly missed.


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weight is everything


Posted By: fards
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 1:42pm
As the others have said, he inspired me with his books as well, a long time before I ever met him.
It was a joy to have known him, a great man!


Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 2:45pm
I have known Richard since I started the HPV stuff. We were friends. I ate at his house a couple of times. We travelled together to continental events and were especially close around Brighton 2001. I will miss him. Is there an email address to respond to ref the 'do'?
 
Thanks - Jonathan


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jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 30 May 2013 at 4:10pm
Hi Jon - I'll PM you with Shawn's email address.
I'll also pass on the start location etc on here as soon as I have it.
 
All the best
 
Alan


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Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 31 May 2013 at 11:11am
Hi
 
I sent an email to Shawn but have not heard back from him. If you want to PM me if you want to attend at Primrose Hill, I can gather some and forward, as long as I am not stepping on any toes.
 
I put up a notice on Recumbents.com too.


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jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 31 May 2013 at 12:12pm
Many thanks for that Jon...
I've heard no more from Shawn but I've just had a call from Mike to say that the plan is to meet at Spaniard's Inn, Hampstead at 9am and ride down from there.
 
 


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Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 31 May 2013 at 2:13pm
JDub had provided this .pdf of the route...
 
  uploads/13/The_Spaniards_Inn_to_41_Fitzroy_Rd_London_NW1_8TP_UK.pdf" rel="nofollow - uploads/13/The_Spaniards_Inn_to_41_Fitzroy_Rd_London_NW1_8TP_UK.pdf
 
Many thanks Jon...
 
 


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Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 31 May 2013 at 10:30pm
From Shawn:
 

Dear All,

 

Here are the order of events for Richard's funeral this Sunday 2nd June. You may either meet us to join in the procession or meet at the Cremetorium for the service.

 

 

9am - Meet at the Spaniard's Inn car park - Spaniards Rd, London NW3 7JJ

 

9:15am - Procession leaves promptly from the Spaniards Inn going to the Golders Green Cremetorium. Richard is travelling by a bicycle powered hearse and people are invited to join the procession, either by bicycle or motor vehicle or simply meet us at the Crematorium for the service.

 

9:35am (approximately)  - Procession arrives at Golders Green Cremetorium - Hoop Lane, Golders Green, London NW11 7NL

 

10am - Service begins (please arrive by 9:50am)

 

11:00am - Please make your way independently to the Gathering & Celebration

 

11:30am to 3pm - Gathering & Celebration at 6 Primrose Hill Studios, Fitzroy Road, London NW1 8TR - (an alley between 39-41)

 

 

In lieu of flowers we suggest making a donation to the Marie Curie Hospice where Richard was well cared for. Donations can be made at the Crematorium on Sunday, or if preferred can be made independently or to any charity of your choice.

 

 

With love and good wishes,

 

 

Team Ballantine



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Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 01 June 2013 at 8:53pm
Shawn has asked me to share his email address so you can contact him direct. It is mailto:shawnballantine@yahoo.co.uk" rel="nofollow - shawnballantine@yahoo.co.uk

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jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 01 June 2013 at 9:09pm
Thanks Jon.
 
Neil Carter had a brainwave earlier - The pub car park is likely to be under quite a bit of pressure so he suggested parking at the crematorium and riding to the pub... This would also leave vehicles in a more convenient spot after the service...
 
I'm going to meet him there at 8:30 if anybody wants to join us...
 
Hope to see LOADS of you there tomorrow...
 
Alan


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Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 02 June 2013 at 12:28am
I remember getting Richard's Bicycle Book out of the library twice, back when I was seriously turning to cycling.  I hope we all will continue to build on his work and achievements in cycling.


Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 02 June 2013 at 1:56pm
Many thanks to Sherri, Shawn, Kathy and Danielle for today...
I think it would be impossible to think of a more fitting way to celebrate Richard's life.
I'm sure he would have been very proud of all of you today.
 
Alan
X
 
 
 


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Posted By: Neil
Date Posted: 02 June 2013 at 3:44pm
 Thumbs Up


Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 02 June 2013 at 8:35pm

Richard was involved in all aspects of organising WC2012 and was very keen to make Fowlmead more than just a race meeting this year...

He said: "I am working to organise a timed agility (trials) course, to be run just for fun, with a couple of prizes (novice and veteran). The timing (hours open) will be set to complement the regular BHPC races."
 
I would like to suggest that we should do this for him... Any suggestions on the best way to get it done or offers of help organising it will be more than welcome...


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Posted By: graydog
Date Posted: 03 June 2013 at 8:35am
I think it should involve changing a tire!!! you can noninate a wheel off you bike but get more points if the wheel has to be removed.

parked cars?
cones?

carry a bag of shopping or the kids home!!!

beer run!!!! or drink of your liking. pint glasses setup at the end of hlaf mile drag. race to on end down one, race to the other down one..... repeat till you cant carry on!!! water is good for this... if you can hold more than eight pints yuo'll be doing blooming good!!!

almost come if we had a race like this



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 03 June 2013 at 9:42am
Originally posted by graydog graydog wrote:



beer run!!!!
 
No Graham, Richard had in mind something different to a normal BHPC event... LOL


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Posted By: Andrew S
Date Posted: 03 June 2013 at 2:39pm
I was very sorry not to make Richard's funeral yesterday but I trust that we put on a good show for him, even though we were competing for recumbent riders with http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22748015" rel="nofollow - Help for Heroes .

If anyone hasn't seen them there are at least a couple of obituaries of Richard online:
  • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/10092280/Richard-Ballantine.html" rel="nofollow - The Telegraph
  • http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/obituaries/article3779835.ece" rel="nofollow - The Times
although you will need to give some money to Rupert Murdoch before he will let you read the second one.




Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 06 June 2013 at 9:09pm
It was a very fitting day. My pictures are on http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library/Richards%20Funeral" rel="nofollow - http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library/Richards%20Funeral
If anyone has grabbed the pic of Mrs B, please don't use it.
 
Thanks - Jonathan


-------------
jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 06 June 2013 at 9:18pm
Originally posted by JDub JDub wrote:

It was a very fitting day. My pictures are on http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library/Richards%20Funeral" rel="nofollow - http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library/Richards%20Funeral
 
 
Thumbs Up


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Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 07 June 2013 at 4:19pm
The http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/07/richard-grant" rel="nofollow - Guardian...

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Posted By: blogwat
Date Posted: 07 June 2013 at 10:36pm
Hi Folks
also found this tribute to richard on you tube hope it's approprate  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qocBRndL2us" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qocBRndL2us   .
Jeff.


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when your up to your waist in aligators they forget to tell you you've got to clear the swamp


Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 07 June 2013 at 10:47pm
Thanks Jeff - Well spotted... Thumbs Up

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Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 10 June 2013 at 11:05pm
http://forum.bhpc.org.uk/uploads/224/IMG_2017.zip" rel="nofollow -
I have cropped the pics from the celebration. Here is the 1st half.
uploads/224/IMG_2017.zip


-------------
jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: JDub
Date Posted: 10 June 2013 at 11:11pm
Here is the 2nd half http://forum.bhpc.org.uk/uploads/224/IMG_2000.zip" rel="nofollow - uploads/224/IMG_2000.zip

-------------
jdub... Got the T-shirt
http://s1127.photobucket.com/user/Protobikes/library
http://protobikes.org.uk/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150386999@N02/



Posted By: AlanGoodman
Date Posted: 27 June 2013 at 12:39pm
Many thanks to Shawn for providing the superb slideshow which can now be seen on the main page of the BHPC web site... http://www.bhpc.org.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://www.bhpc.org.uk/


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Posted By: blogwat
Date Posted: 27 June 2013 at 3:11pm

Dear Shawn

thank you for allowing us a  look into your personal archive of memories that was kind of you to share that with us .
Jeff.  Clap


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when your up to your waist in aligators they forget to tell you you've got to clear the swamp


Posted By: graydog
Date Posted: 27 June 2013 at 5:57pm
cool! think it's time to get my five sting back out after that ;-)


Posted By: graydog
Date Posted: 27 June 2013 at 5:58pm
btw we were at landegla yesterday evening got taling to the boss....

yet another story to add to the long list of prople inspired to cycling by Richard!!



Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 10 July 2013 at 5:05am
Thank you Shawn, that is a lovely video.



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