01/07/2011 – Tragic News
Dear CCC Member and Friends of CCC
It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Karl Austin was killed in a time-trial accident just after 8 o’clock last night. He was riding in a South Pennine Club ’10’ on the A50 at Etwall, when he was struck from behind by an HGV. Mercifully, the police said that he would have known nothing about it.
At this time, our thoughts must be with Linda, Katie and Simon and, of course, Joyce and Keith. I am sure that we will all want to do whatever we can to help them through this time of great sorrow. That is all that I can tell you at this time.
Bob.
(Bob Norton – Chairman)
08/07/2011 – Funeral Arrangements
Karl Austin’s Funeral will be on Thursday July 14 at 2 p.m. The service, which will be a civil ceremony, will take place at Bradwell Crematorium, Chatterley Close, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 8LE. Linda would like as many clubs as possible to attend in their club colours. Parking for bikes and cars is available at or near the Crematorium.
This will be followed by a celebration of Karl’s life at Allostock Village Hall, Chapel Lane, Allostock, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 9LN. This is a 1 hour bike ride from the crematorium and is located just off the A50, about 2 miles north of Holmes Chapel. The gathering (with refreshments) will commence around 3.30 p.m. and will finish at 6 p.m. Parking at the V.H. will be open from noon. See Route Map.
Linda has asked for no flowers, but rather donations to Wheels for All which provides adapted cycling equipment and cycling activity programs for people with disability and differing needs. This is the same charity to which donations went following Graham McCargo’s funeral 4 years ago. You can make a donation at www.justgiving.com/Karl-Austin.
Linda and family and Joyce and Keith are very appreciative of all your cards and messages of support and condolence.
Condolences
The Club has received the following messages of condolence:
TO KARLS FAMILY
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER
MY DEEP CONDOLENCE
I KNEW HIM WELL HE HELP ME A LOT WITH
MY BIKE PROBLEMS WHEN
HE WORKED AT MORREYS
IN HOLMES CHAPEL
HOWARD DAVIES CTC MEMBER HOLMES CHAPEL
To Joyce, Keith, Linda & Family,
I would to like to offer my deep condolence at this very sad time.
And also to let you all know you are in our thoughts at all times.
I knew Karl both as a fellow cyclist and work colleague (Siemens)
A nicer guy you could not wish to meet but I’m just stating what I’m sure everyone already knew.
Karl you’ll never be forgotten!
Darren Maguire (Cyclist & Old Work Colleague)
To all Karl’s family.
As a part time competitor in the ’24’ I was always in awe of Karl. Yet despite his ability he found the time to offer his support and encouragement, even when competing, which showed what a friendly helpful bloke he was regardless of your standard. I also remember the enthusiasm he showed in supporting the Leek CC events I helped to organise, along with the rest of his family.
I would like to offer my deepest condolence at this tragic time and let you know that our thoughts are with you all.
Graham Halden (Cyclist and Leek CC, now Derbyshire)
I knew Karl when we were teenagers in Congleton CC together in the 1970s and have very fond memories of innumerable club runs, and popping in and out of each other’s houses in Buglawton. I last saw him at my father’s funeral in 2007, and he was the same old Karl – cheerful, supportive and one of the loveliest people I have ever known.
We are all shocked to hear of this terrible accident; our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Duncan McCargo, also on behalf of Stephanie Winters, Gloria McCargo, Ian McCargo, Carmen, Barbara, Joseph and Alexander.
sorry for your loss .karl was o lovely bloke from david and ellen bates
As my brother says we were all deeply shocked to hear this tragic news. It seems like only yesterday that Karl was helping us to choose a bike for Barbara at the shop in Holmes Chapel. He was a great friend to all our family.
Carmen & I send our sincere condolences to Keith & Joyce, and of course to Linda & family, at this incredibly difficult time. I have asked my mother to represent us and our children at Karl’s funeral. We will be thinking of you.
Ian McCargo
I was so shocked to hear the tragic news about Karl, I just don’t know what to say as i carnt believe its happened, as im sure nobody can, I worked with Karl and his Mum at Siemens & they are both such lovely people, my heart goes out to Linda, Joyce & Family at this very sad time, he was such a nice lad, I lost my Dad to Cancer at Christmas & thought that was tragic enough, i carnt imagine how painful this is for you, my prayers are with you all, im sure Kim is now looking after him for you all, Loads of Huggs & Kisses Gill xxxxx
I’ve known Karl on and off for 25 years. He was always up for a friendly chat after events with anyone, irrespective of their ability. I followed Karl’s progress even during a few years away from racing back in the 90s, and especially his long distance endeavours which were impressive to say the least (I take my hat off to anyone prepared to ride two ’12s’ in one season and find time for a ’24’ too!). Work commitments mean I will not be able to attend on the day of his funeral, but my sincerest condolences go to his family and friends. Karl – you will be missed by all involved in cycling and beyond.
Lots of love, Steve
Words cannot describe how sad I feel for the family and all those close to him, please accept my and my son Tom’s sincerest condolences.
I’d known Karl for many years during my time with Tunstall Wheelers and during a brief sortie with Congleton CC in the early 90’s, more recently Tom and I had shared a number of Sunday club rides with him. We will both remember him for the infectious smile that he had which could cheer any wet day and bring out the sun!
R.I.P.
Never forgotten.
Richard & Tom Cowan.
My condolences go to Karl’s family at this sad time. I didn’t really know him as a friend , but did speak to him at a couple of 24 hours I did in early 2000. And being a big fix wheel fan myself I always admired Karl for his riding of a fixie regularly himself.
I have not raced myself for a few years, but always looked out for Karl’s performances in the 24 hour . I’m sure I can speak for everybody that’s ridden and help out at a 24 hour to say that he will be sadly missed.
Bryan Ackerley
I was very saddened when I received the news of Karls death. My deepest sympathies to his family and all of his friends also. Having only joined Congleton CC this year i had only met Karl a few times and had our first proper conversation at the last club 25.
Sadly due to holiday i could not make Karls funeral, but I was there is spirit.
RIP Karl. You shall always be missed.
Jamie Willetts
Having just returned from a cycling holiday Pam and I are both deeply shocked at the news of this tragic event. The accident happened on the evening of the day we departed for the south coast.
To pick up this news after having enjoyed such wonderful cycling around the lanes of Sussex and Suffolk makes it a bitter pill to swallow. It almost makes one feel guilty of having enjoyed the gentle swish of tyres on tarmac, the warm sunshine and the quiet, traffic free lanes and by-roads.
Having known Karl since his formative days at Congleton CC we can only concur with everyone’s comments about his dedication and passion to the sport and pastime of cycling and to Congleton Cycling Club. Like other ambassadors of the cycling world who have gone before him, Karl will be greatly missed.
Naturally our thoughts are with all Karl’s family at this very, very sad time.
Noel & Pam Hughes
Linda, Keith & Joyce,
I’ve just heard the tragic news, I cannot believe it. I haven’t seen you all since moving away 30 years ago, but have always kept an eye on things, to see my old cycling buddy was getting on. He wasn’t doing too badly either. I was very proud of his achievments.
You are all in my thoughts, Karl will be dearly missed.
Gwyn James
On behalf of my father brother and myself, can we express our deep sadness over this tragic waste of such a good man.
My brother and I started our cycling as members of Congleton, later moving on to Tunstall Wheelers. Karl was 3 years younger than me and was always teasing me as to how he was going to beat me one day. I cheated and retired wheras he carried on to become a local legend. I hope the courses are fast up there and who knows one day we may get to race each other again.
Duncan, Adrian and Harry Brown
It is with deepened sadness that I hear of the loss of such a wonderful, warm and supportive friend. During my brief return to cycling in 2009 Karl was always there to offer help and support and was always one of the first to make you feel welcome when attending club events. Karl shared a close friendship with Gerry Shepherd who often related Karl to me as a great role model to aspire to. A terrible loss and will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
What a guy – what a man. I was so shocked to hear the news about Karl….Will keep thinking of you my man….Everytime I see lycra on a bicycle I always pause and think about you….A trully tragic loss….
Loads and loads of sincerest wishes to a great family….
Thinking of you my man – Paul Reynolds..