Newsletter
September/October
2008

Mick Burren - An Obituary by Martin Aldridge

We are all saddened to hear the news that Mick Burren has died suddenly at the age of 64.

I first met Mick in 1958/59 when he started riding with the Epsom and Ewell Section of the East Surrey DA CTC, probably on a reliability trial. We both joined the East Surrey RC racing offshoot in 1960 and competed in our first time trial, a club 10, on 10th July, both aged about 17. Throughout the 1960s our friendship developed as Mick became a well-respected time trialist.

He took to the track, riding the local leagues and open meetings, and competed in road races. He excelled in all aspects and achieved many wins and placings.

I was never up to Mick's standard but did often attend Herne Hill, where I would pump up his tyres and hold him up on the start time in the hope that some of his ability would brush off on me! I was at Herne Hill on the day when he partnered John Fisher to set a new 10 mile tandem record and together they also rode the many time trial victories.

In 1965 he was a member of the ESRC team that won the bronze medal in the 4000 metres Team Pursuit Championship and again in 1979 was in the ESRC teamthat took top award in the RTTC National 12 hour Championship.

In becoming competetive Mick migrated from Epsom & Ewell Section to the Leatherhead Section, whose clubruns were more challenging. He also enjoyed many rides away with his colleagues, either on racing weekends or off-season social breaks, and continental tours, including one ground-breaking and eventful adventure to communist Roumania.

I have particular memories of a Jim Braz trip to the Amsterdam Six-Day which involved riding from Rotterdam to Amsterdam and included riding, by error, on a motorway hard shoulder, Mick being half-wheeled at the head of the group for some miles by a Dutch factory worker wearing his boots and riding a sit-up-and-beg, and on the return journey having to take turns with Mick to push one of the group to get him back on the plane.

In 1970 I moved to Hampshire but my friendship with Mick continued, often meeting up after events on the U courses. Mick would visit our home, and we have many of his photographs recrding our children's early days.

In 1978 Mick moved from his parents to his own cottage in Horsharn. From here he continued to ride to work in Sutton and those miles were the foundation of his part in the 1979 12 hour team.

My work required my family to move back east in 1981 and it was because we had visited Mick in his Horsham house that we were attracted to the area and moved to a house very close to him. We were soon introduced to Rennie whom he married later that year and the next year Gemma was born.

By this time Mick had retired from racing and his riding was very much limited to pedalling to his new work place in the town. It was not long though before a spark was re-ignited and we started riding together on Sunday mornings. Mick was generally "Runs Leader", with his knowledge of the local lanes and terrain to create unlimited combinations of route.

Whilst he never expressed a desire to competing again his interest in the local racing scene did not wane, and with Horsham Bypass becoming the centre of local time trialling a visit to see the result board and chat with old acquaintances was a regular stop off on our rides.

In the early 90's Mick was encouraged by a colleague at work to try mountain biking. Mountain bikes were purchased and we attempted to ride every bridlepath in the area. Mick also took us onto the South Downs and North Downs and to Gloucestershire to ride the Hell of the North Cotswolds.

In recent years Mick used his knowledge of the lanes to collaborate in the local council's production of recommended cycle rides.

His working pattern (for 28 years he was press photographer for the local paper), meant he often had a day off work in the week and he took every opportunity to meet friends from East Surrey and join them on the Forty Plus runs, Mick's work pattern also meant that he had to work some Sundays. These days were a challenge as to how he could fit in a "paid for" ride rather than a reason to miss out. We often surprised the subjects of his photographs by turning up in our Lycra. He would later tell me that when he met the same people on other assignments they would ask why he was not on his bike! For me, and I'm sure many others, Mick was synonymous with cycling. Using the bike was always his first option over any other way of travelling.

He was not a passionate modern "Green" but quietly and subtly through his contacts, did make sure that cyclists' needs and rights were brought to the attention of the Horsham district politicians and officers.

My wife Jane met Mick for the first time on only our second date in 1965 and she has shared our friendship ever since. She is already missing his Saturday visits to make arrangements for Sunday's ride. I was out riding with Mick the day before his untimely departure from us. My last words as he turned into his home were "I will call you on Thurday to make arrangements, for Friday". Unfortunately that call was never made.

My future rides will always bring back memories of Mick's front wheel - just that bit in front of mine - urging me on. Farewell to a long and loyal friend - Rest in Peace, you will not be forgotten.

Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Rennie, daughter Gemma and family.