Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club ride to remember those killed in plane crash
What better way to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a tragedy than with a charity bike ride? More than 80 members of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club are about to embark on a 320-mile marathon ride back to their Suffolk sports ground. The starting point is Ermenonville near Paris, site of a plane crash in March 1974 in which 18 members of the Club were killed.
Turkish Airlines Flight 981 came down in a forest shortly after taking off from the French capital, killing all 346 people on board. It remains the deadliest plane crash on French soil and the fourth worst in aviation history.
Members of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club were on board, heading home after seeing England play France. Club chairman Gerry Lowden (pictured with fellow riders) would have been on the doomed flight, but couldn’t get time off work to make the trip. “I was second team captain and a number of those who perished were my team members,” he explained.
Several of those taking part in the four-day charity ride are relatives of those who died. They will be raising funds both for the Club’s charitable organisation, The Haberden Trust, and for St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Shimano Ultegra C60 wheelset review: fast rolling and great value, if a little heavy
The Ultegra C60 wheels share many similarities with the more expensive Dura-Ace model except for price and weight
By Andy Turner Published
-
The 16-year-old bike that's just won the British National Hill Climb championships
Rim brakes, no paint, tiny seat stays and a decade-old groupset are still plenty fast enough to help champion Harry Macfarlane see off some serious competition
By Joe Baker Published