S.A VETERAN CYCLISTS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
updated 14/10/2001 A special event feature BARRY SMITH - A Great Guy For South Australia's Veteran Cycling scene, Thursday the 4th of October will be a day that stays in their memory for many years to come. Like so many racing cyclists Barry Smith chose to use his ride to work as a training ride. The hard working butcher from Hackham, a suburb in the south of Adelaide, would meet other riders and in jovial company and mateship use the time to increase his fitness for road racing. But on this morning, at around 5:30AM while riding his bike and while doing something he loved, Barry lost his life in a tragic accident. On that fateful morning, while many cyclists were yet to rise, the Lonsdale Highway and the notorious "dip" had claimed the life of a rider who was first a family man and second a great vet's clubman.
A testimony to how much Barry was loved and respected was witnessed on Wednesday the 10th at his funeral when over 60 riders met the funeral homes hearse at the corner of South and Daws Road to accompany Barry on his last ride. Surrounded by his mates the procession made its way to the Heysen Chapel for a moving service. Here it was standing room only as the chapel was packed with family, relatives, friends, cyclists and the media. It was a moving service as we all said our farewells. The tragedy is now behind us, but the loss of a great clubman, who was always friendly, who competed fairly and who sure loved his cycling will always be with us. I know that if Barry was able to leave us a special word or two it would probably go something like this. "Go on with life and enjoy it as much as I did. Don't mourn my passing but rejoice in the opportunities that you have. Enjoy life while there is still time. Treasure families and friendship as though they are the most precious thing you possess. Oh, by the way, keep cycling." That's what Barry was like. A great Guy and we will all damn well miss you mate. Farewell Barry, till we all meet again. MY THOUGHTS
It is an important time for all cyclists when we lose a friend or club member. It is a hard enough loss to take when people succumb to illness, let alone die in the tragic circumstances that befell Barry Smith. I had known Barry for a number of years and raced in the bunch with him on many occassions. Barry was always friendly to me and when we raced he knew my limitations on the climbs and would often say "Stay there Ritchie" or "hang on mate , have a rest". I was at the club on the 30/9/01 for the Bicycle Express Handicap races and Barry was the second to last person I spoke to as I bid people goodbye. As always he was cheerful and friendly. He was a genuine guy. Life is short and we never know when this brief but wonderful experience will cease. But when it does, it is nice to know that people will be there to assist in a show of strength. I personally thank all cyclists who came on Wednesday the 14th and supported Sandy and the family in a time of great need. It was a great show of strength and respect for how we felt about Barry. It was the best way to celebrate the wonderful opportunity we have all been given, that not only are we able to experience life itself, families and friends, but also the bond that joins us all together as cyclists. There are those within the club who were personal and close friends to Barry, much closer than I was, so I hope that the words I penned in other tragic circumstances back in 1999 sum up the hope we all have. THE HOPE

When life seems at it's darkest When everything seems lost There is something that can't be purchased, or be bought at any cost It's the love of those around us, who forever in their ways Will fill our very spirit as we journey through these days Their love will lift our being and fill our heart with joy Like a child who gets a present, or a special xmas toy Though the path that we may travel, may not be the way we know There is something we can treasure no matter where we go That when our life is over, we will surely meet again In a place that God has made for us, where peace and joy both reig n Where all of us will be as one and everyone is free In a place where there's no trouble only peace and harmony Richard Surfield 25/12/99

Barry Timmins Club Mourns Popular Rider SDVLCC Club members as a mark of respect cancelled this weeks club race [7-10-01] following the tragic death of popular rider Barry Smith early last Thursday morning. Barry was killed while training hit by a motor vehicle on Lonsdale Road. He leaves behind a wife Sandi and two children Jeremy and Tamara. He was 44 years old.
Barry had been riding successfully with the club for many years and will be missed by all. He was the club Assistant Handicapper and his wife Sandi is the Social Secretary and Timekeeper. At a s pecial gathering on Sunday at the clubrooms President David Milne echoed the sentiments of all club members when he acknowledged Barry's gratifying and diligent efforts for the club
" Unassuming, unfailing cheerful, and always had a word of encouragement for riders. He had one speed on his bike and that was fast ". Rowly Ferris Barry Joseph Smith 3/4/57 - 4/10/01 South Australian veterans are sorrowed to report that one of its keenest and enthusiastic members, 44 year old Barry Smith, affectionately known as "Bazza" and more recently as "Bugsy", was tragically killed when on an early morning training ride in preperation for another storming ride in the week-end club road race. Barry was struck from behind by a vehicle on one of the fast downhill stretches of the Lonsdale Highway and died instantly before being struck by yet another vehicle as he lay on the road.
Barry's second name "Bugsy" was inherited after the Back Valley RR some 18 months ago when a rabbit ran across the road and lodged in his front wheel, jamming it when it reached the forks. Barry flew over the top, luckily with only superficial wounds and shock, the decapitated rabbit not so lucky. He later accepted a suitably and artistically engraved trophy at a social dinner organized by his loving wife Sandy while making numerous cheeky comments in a cheerful and respective manner, typical of his friendly and beautiful nature.
Barry will be sorely missed. As a competitor he was aggressive, enthusiastic and highly capable. He always had a cheerfull word of encouragement when passing slower riders. He was one of the most popular members of the Southern Veterans, preferring low key friendly club races to the more competitive "opens". Prizes were of less value to him than a good honest performance, but a trophy was never the less welcomed when fairly won. He was happy matching his race reading against the ups and downs of riders ability week by week during his apprenticeship as the assistant handicapper and he was genuinely looking forward to obtaining his stripes at the AGM this year when he was expected to take over as number one handicapper, a position he would have filled with pride and a whole lot of accuracy. The members will sadly miss this aspect of Barry's involvement as his potential was already well proven.
On Sunday October 7th around 50 members met at the clubrooms to show their respect for a popular fallen friend. Normal racing on the day was cancelled as a mark of respect to Barry and allow a quiet time for members to meet over a cuppa and console each other at the clubs loss.
On the day of his funeral his fellow riders rode in the colors behind a hearse on its journey through the streets to the Heysen Chapel where they formed a guard of honour to a true gentleman and sportsman. Barry, laying in rest was wearing a new club uniform for his last journey.
"Barry........
Rest in peace knowing how much you were loved and how much you will be missed". As someone said on the 7th, "You have purely gone to do the handicapping for veterans in the sky."
"Glad to have known you mate", love Rowly SAVCC President ...back...