Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Imwit
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Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Wed Jun 06, 2018 1:57 pm

It will be 60 years (on September 13th) since Russell Mockridge died when hit by a bus soon after starting the Tour of Gippsland.

There is a ride being plannned in Geelong for Sunday 16th September as an opportunity to get together and remember Russell.

The proposal is to ride along the route of Russell's first race (in which he trounced everyone) from Geelong to Drysdale and back.

The ride is being organised by the Geelong cycling historian Rod Charles and Doug Merritt in conjunction with their Cycling Geelong group.
Rod has a vast contact list through his writing and cycling activities (and he is a past mayor of Geelong) which include the Mockridge family, friends and contemporary cyclists including some who witnessed that first race. So he is pretty well placed to host a great day out.

More details will follow when they are finalised but take this as a 'Save the date' if you are interested.

Cheers
Tim

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Derny Driver
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Derny Driver » Wed Jun 06, 2018 4:28 pm

Sounds great. Too bad I live in NSW. My uncle was a friend of Mockas, and rode lots of track madison races with him in Europe. Along with Sid Patterson, Russ and my uncle Reg won the Paris Six Day in 1955. Many riders called that race "The Crown Jewel" and it lived up to the hype - it was probably the most amazing and controversial six day race in history.
Its common knowledge that Russ was one of, if not THE greatest all-round cyclists Australia has ever produced .. hard to judge really against guys like Oppy, Patto, Danny Clark ...his early death contributed to his legend status I think. Amazing talent.
My uncle had lots of great stories about Russ who he said had no idea what was going on in the madisons and six day races. On the last night of the Paris 6 he said to my uncle, "Hey Reg are we going to win this?" My uncle just laughed and said "yes mate, we are going to win it". And they did.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Gordon1 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 4:54 pm

I know Rod was doing some reconnaissance over the weekend just gone and Lindy (Russell's daughter) has given the ride her blessings.

Knowing Rod and his methodical approach this will be well organised, well researched and most likely good fun. Well worth attending if you get an invite or are able to attend.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Wed Jun 06, 2018 5:19 pm

Derny Driver wrote:Sounds great. Too bad I live in NSW.

It would be awesome if you could make it Derny Driver. I reckon it will be a perfect time to tell a few of the those great stories you have..
My uncle had lots of great stories about Russ who he said had no idea what was going on in the madisons and six day races. On the last night of the Paris 6 he said to my uncle, "Hey Reg are we going to win this?" My uncle just laughed and said "yes mate, we are going to win it". And they did.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Tinker » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:22 pm

Will be there with bells on (not really bells, hate them on my bikes).

Imwit
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:15 am

Image

Bookings via trybooking. It's a free event but just to get numbers..

https://www.trybooking.com/408215

The ride is approx 40kms and is planned to take the adjacent rail trail out and return via the road if you fancy.
The road has a good shoulder but it is busy and 100km speed limit so it's not much fun for socialising.

There are also options for a ride on Saturday and a dinner if you would like to make a weekend of it.
There are boxes to tick when booking if you are interested in Saturday activities.

Please forward on to anyone or any group who you think may be interested. All welcome.

Cheers
Tim
Last edited by Imwit on Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Derny Driver
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Derny Driver » Mon Aug 13, 2018 6:47 pm

Ive emailed you Tim. Im thinking about attending ...

Imwit
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:24 pm

Image

To add to the ride on Sunday 16th September..
There is a panel discussion on Saturday 15th September with 5 of these authors talking about the bloke who wrote the book on top. Plenty of opportunity for audience interaction and recollections.

The Oppy book is recently published and a really good read. Books will be available for purchase on the night.
Last edited by Imwit on Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Tinker
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Tinker » Wed Aug 22, 2018 11:52 pm

Will be attending the Saturday night as well at this stage.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Thu Aug 23, 2018 3:45 pm

Tinker wrote:Will be attending the Saturday night as well at this stage.
:D

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Derny Driver
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Derny Driver » Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:59 pm

Tinker wrote:Will be attending the Saturday night as well at this stage.
Make sure you say Hi Jason. I'll be out the front apparently :shock:
Marcus

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GaryF
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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby GaryF » Sun Aug 26, 2018 11:06 am

Wishing all participants a great time.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Tinker » Mon Aug 27, 2018 3:05 pm

Derny Driver wrote:
Tinker wrote:Will be attending the Saturday night as well at this stage.
Make sure you say Hi Jason. I'll be out the front apparently :shock:
Marcus
Haha will do mate. Trying to pin down the venue at present :D

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:56 am

Venue for the Saturday night author's discussion is the Russell Mockridge Pavilion. No 1 Barwon Heads Rd Belmont (Geelong).
Right in the middle of Geelong Cycling Club's criterium track. The club have kindly given us use of the pavilion for free.

Running from 6-7.30pm with light refreshments provided.

The intention is to run the discussion like a Q and A forum with questions, comments and recollections invited from the audience.

And speaking of the audience, Jim Taylor (Russell's training partner and fellow scratchman) has confirmed that he will be attending the discussion.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Derny Driver » Wed Aug 29, 2018 7:33 pm

Imwit wrote:Venue for the Saturday night author's discussion is the Russell Mockridge Pavilion. No 1 Barwon Heads Rd Belmont (Geelong).
Right in the middle of Geelong Cycling Club's criterium track. The club have kindly given us use of the pavilion for free.

Running from 6-7.30pm with light refreshments provided.

The intention is to run the discussion like a Q and A forum with questions, comments and recollections invited from the audience.

And speaking of the audience, Jim Taylor (Russell's training partner and fellow scratchman) has confirmed that he will be attending the discussion.
Awesome Tim
Jim Taylor is cycling royalty, a living legend and I cant wait to shake his hand.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Sat Sep 01, 2018 4:13 pm

This has been posted before.
It is from the Veteran Cycle Club Library.
It's a British made overview of 1952 cycling events.
Spinning Wheels
It has some great footage of Mockridge in action.. and others relevant to the story too.

From 14 mins on is the TDF with Coppi in action. (maybe not so relevant but still, it's Coppi)
From 23 mins is a Manchester track meet with Mocka in fine form and Patto as well.
From 31 mins is the Wembley Six Day with Alf Strom and Reg Arnold (Derny Driver's uncle) as well as Patto in action.
From 36 mins is the Worlds with Lionel Cox, Mocka and Patto. At 40mins is Patto vs Bevilacqua.
and from 41 mins is the Helsinki Olympics with the Cox and Mocka on the tandem at about 43 mins.

I'm sure there is footage of Mocka winning the Amateur and Pro Grand Prix de Paris in 1952 but I can't find it here.

Great to see if you've heard of Mockridge but not seen him in action.

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby scratchman » Thu Sep 06, 2018 8:58 pm

thanks for posting the link, great to see footage of Cox & Mockridge.
Phil

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:51 pm

No worries Phil. Glad you liked it. Can you make it on the weekend?

Bookings are flowing in for the weekend's events.
https://www.trybooking.com/408215

The Saturday night talk is capped at 50 people as the space isn't huge.

Cheers
Tim

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Re: Russell Mockridge Memorial Ride 16th Sep 2018

Postby Imwit » Wed Sep 12, 2018 4:31 pm

Save Noble Park Velodrome campaign in Melbourne: memorial ride on the 13th this month in commemoration of Russell Mockridge.

"The ride would be conducted early, at about 5:30am on Thursday morning and would start from the Maurice Kirby velodrome, head up Dandenong Rd (Princess Highway) to the intersection of Clayton Rd and Dandenong Rd. The group will stop briefly at the intersection where the tragic accident happened and we will then turn around and head back to the velodrome in Noble Park. The ride is quite short and is roughly 16km all up.

We will be mainly using the service roads that is provided alongside Dandenong Rd for most of the ride."

Their contact is Kim Nguyen: kim.kycon@gmail.com

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