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I met Ron in 1983, the year
following my arrival in Nelson, when I did a four week trip around
England. I was staying in Youth Hostels and it was in a converted pig
pen somewhere near Bury St Edmunds that we met. Everyone who knew Ron
will know how friendly he was, and ready to strike up a conversation
with anyone. He told me that it was best to tag along with someone when
crossing the fens, and we arranged to meet up at a certain date and time
and cross together. This was how I came to find Walsingham, killing time
until my meetup with Ron, this was the only place in the YHA booklet
that was both within reach and open on the night I wanted. The story of
how I found Walsingham and what it meant to me can be told another time,
but I count it no coincidence that it was due to Ron that I found it,
and that his name was Sant.
After that one day cycling together we corresponded
for many years, though we never met again. His letters were wonderfully
informative and he cycled all over the world. So when my new husband and
I wanted to cycle to Germany, who better to ask for a route but Ron? He
supplied it, and the maps, and did not want them back. I still have
them.
That journey was for us a Vision Quest and a cementing
of our already strong relationship. Deciding to repeat this ride
fourteen years later, I naturally thought of Ron and looked him up on
the internet. Reading of the Reliability Rides in his memory, I realised
the sad fact that he had passed away. I wrote for information to the
Weaver Valley club, and received this very nice email from the organiser
of the rides:
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Having read your e-mail I will tell you what I
can about Ron.
I (Paul Lawson) joined Weaver Valley CC (my first cycling club '&
last')) in 1997 and became friends with Ron whilst out on Sunday
club runs together, in those days our membership was low and runs
poorly attended so sometimes there would only be a few of us out in
during the racing season. Ron introduced me to many unusual and scenic
routes and some new cafe stops during the rides he led. He was one of
the members who inspired me to get more involved in club and racing
life. He was made an honorary Life Member of Weaver Valley CC a few
years after I joined the club and was a valuable and much loved part
of the Weaver Valley family.
I have run the Ron Sant ride 4 times in the past 5 years so it
must have been 2004 that he passed away. He took ill at the Astle Park
Steam Fair in Cheshire which I think is held in July and died not
long after that, my best recollection is that he was aged about
64 at the time - his mother was still alive at that time.
The Reliabilty Ride that I've run in his memory has been held on
Easter Monday purely because it was a convenient spot in the club
calender. Ron was generous enough to leave part of his estate the
cycling club so we are in the fortunate position of being financially
secure for many years to come.
The Ron Sant Ride will not be promoted as an open event next year
but rest assured it will continue as a special club event for
many years to come.
Regards,
Paul.
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