Tonight I bring the sad news that the Farnham RC member Russ Mantle , the ‘Million Mile Cyclist’, died on 1 May aged 86.
Around the 70s and 80s he was Runs Secretary of W Surrey CTC and led their rides for over 20 years. We know that at that time he was in touch with the Border CA.
I had the pleasure of bumping into Russ during an FCCC Club ride when we just happened to both be in the Searle Tea Rooms at the moment after our respective rides.
Intrigued by a few us wearing FCCC Club colours he introduced himself and proudly showed me his hand written record of his millions miles (much in the same way our Club legend Dick Poole meticulously keeps his records too). He had just been interviewed by a major UK newspaper about his achievement.
I am sure there may be other FCCC members who knew Russ but are not aware of his death.
Russ’s funeral will be on Friday June 9th at at 1.30pm at Aldershot Crematorium, followed by a wake at ‘The Princess Royal’ in Runfold.
In sympathy and recognition of his achievement.
Paul Hosemann (Chair)
