DAVID ALLBUTT OBITUARY/DAVE RAYNER FUND

DAVID ALLBUTT.
Born: 17th August 1948, died: 19th May 2011.

Dave Allbutt died whilst out on his bike on the afternoon of Thursday 19th May. Dave was in collision with a motor car. Exact details of what occurred are presently unknown, although more may be revealed as a result of an inquest which will be held in the forthcoming weeks.
Dave was born in Chesterton, Newcastle under Lyme, and joined the local CTC when he was twelve. He then became a member of the Stone Wheelers and remained with them for many years.
Following his marriage to Sheila, they moved to the Crewe area, and Dave joined Crewe Clarion Wheelers. He remained with Crewe Clarion for the remainder of his cycling career apart from a short spell when he returned to Stone Wheelers.
Dave raced in time trials, road racing and on the track. He recorded sub- hour rides in 25 mile time trials , as well as commendable times for 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 Hour races, usually on the unforgiving “J” and “D” courses of the Manchester and Liverpool districts of the RTTC. He was the “pilot” of the tandem crew which set the current Crewe Clarion and the current National Clarion record of 255.66 miles in a 12 Hour race in 1985. He was also the Crewe Clarion BAR Champion in 2004.
He put a great deal back into the sport by organising races, assisting with time- keeping , and encouraging youngsters and the not- so- young beginners to race and improve their riding generally.
He had recently retired from work as the Estates Manager for the NHS Trust in South Cheshire and was looking forward to a long and well- deserved retirement both cycling and on his newly acquired motor bikes.
He was a much valued member of the Crewe Clarion and was also a staunch supporter of the National Clarion Cycling Club. His ready humour and infectious laugh will be sorely missed by the many who knew him and counted him amongst their friends. There was standing room only at his funeral which was attended by almost three hundred mourners.
He is survived by his wife Sheila and his daughters Martha and Amelia.