Rob Jefferies Memorial Ride

Gordon Skillen has organised a memorial ride for the late Rob Jefferies. Rob was tragically killed in a road accident on May 25th last year.

A memorial ride for Rob Jefferies. Meet at 12.30 June 3rd Sandbanks ferry.

The story so far. Meet by the chain link ferry, Sandbanks side if you're coming from Poole way, Studland side if you're coming from Swanage. People on the Sandbanks ferry take the 12.40 crossing (£1 each way) to meet up with the Studland group. Then ride to Swanage pier for light refreshments (tea, coffee, chip butty etc).

Those that wish to can return to Sandbanks, while anyone who's up for a bit more can ride to the ghost bike on the Wareham bypass. The route is: Worth Matravers, Kingston, Corfe Castle, Arne, Stoborough and on to the A354.

If you're from out of the area, buddy up with a local that rides at your speed and stick with them.

Everybody is welcome, friends, family, passing acquaintances, everybody.

Driver Sentenced to 18 Month Ban in Rob Jefferies Case

Eighteen year old Lee Cahill, a college student from Wareham, Dorset, was given a 12 month community order and ordered to undertake 200-hours of community service and given an 18 month driving ban for causing the death of popular local cyclist, Rob Jefferies. Cahill will have to face a compulsory re-test. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85

Cahill had pleaded guilty to the charge of Causing Death by Careless Driving at an earlier hearing. Rob had been returning home from a training ride when he was struck from behind by Cahill. Fellow cyclist Bryce Dyer, who was riding with Rob at the time did what he could at the scene, assisted by an off duty fire officer who had stopped to help. Chairman of the Weymouth Magistrates bench Sharon Morecombe said "The consequences of this accident have been devastating for Cahill who is extremely remorseful. However the effect is considerably more devastating and will remain with the family of Mr Jefferies for the rest of their lives" Rob leaves a widow, Jayne, daughter and stepson

Driver Charged In Rob Jefferies Case (updated)

Police have charged the driver of the vehicle which struck and killed well-known local cyclist Rob Jefferies on 25 May 2011.
The driver was charged with causing death by careless driving in a hearing on Friday 25 November and will appear in court on 12 December.
Jefferies was hit by a vehicle on the evening of 26 April while out training with a friend near Wareham in Dorset. Rob was a member of Poole Wheelers and loved racing on the track as well as riding local time trials. A few days after the tragic accident more than 70 riders paid their respects to Rob with a rememberance ride across Studland to Swanage.

UPDATED 14/12/11

The driver, who was 17 years old at the time of the tragic accident had pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Lee Cahill from Wareham had passed his test in January 2011 and was convicted of a speeding offence in April 2011.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on 12 January. The driver was disqualified from driving awaiting sentencing. Magistrates considered the victim statement written by Rob’s widow Jane.

Rob Jefferies

More than 300 mourners packed into the chapel at Poole Crematorium to pay their last respects to Rob Jefferies, who was killed in a road traffic accident two weeks ago. Members of Poole Wheelers rode slowly behind the hearse as it carried Rob’s body the final few hundred yards to the crematorium. The coffin was draped in jerseys from all of Rob’s previous clubs and lapel pins were handed out, made from one of Rob’s old chains, by stepson George. Daughter Eve spoke bravely of her dad,failing to hold back the tears. "Why did it have to be him?" Robs older brother, Will, also shared his tears with the congregation. In a very moving eulogy, Will recalled insignificant phone calls with Rob, that now mean so much “as the phone does not ring anymore” The humanist service drew to a close with the words” To the Freedom of the wind and sunshine, we let you go”


A fund has been set up in Rob’s memory to encourage young riders. Donations can be made to

Poole WHS/ Robs Velo Youth Fund

C/O James Smith FD
60a Kings Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH 19 1HR

Rob Jefferies Remembrance Ride

On a chilly, damp, Bank Holiday Monday, over 70 cyclists turned out to show their respect for the late Rob Jefferies, who died after being hit by a car whilst out training. They filled the chain link ferry across to Shell Bay, where even more were waiting. Rob's widow, Jane, Daughter Eve and stepson George had all courageously come out to ride. Jane admits to being “not very fit” but, complete with wicker basket on the front of her “sit up and beg” she led the bunch across Studland Heath.

The weather closed in but riding along, sharing tales of Rob, spirits were lifted, cyclists are a resilient lot, of course they are, it goes with the territory.

Dropping down into Swanage, where Rob lived, the bunch came to a halt at the pier. More tales were told, a few photographs were taken and, cyclists being cyclists, a few cups of tea were drunk.

It was a fitting tribute to a very popular man. Well done to Chris Ball, who, touched by the loss of a “very close friend” pulled this ride together. Several of the group had ridden the Hounslow 100 the day before but still found the legs to pay their dues to the Big Man. Spare, also a thought for Bryce Dyer, who was riding with Rob on that fateful day. Bryce had helped in the aftermath of the accident and no doubt that will live with him. However he was happy to be back "in the wheels" and was very appreciative of the support shown.

"See you up the Road Rob"

Eve And Jane Jefferies.

Rob Jefferies

Rob Jefferies was tragically killed in a road accident on Thursday Evening (26/05/11}. Rob was out training with Bryce Dyer when the accident happened near Wareham.

I spoke at length with Rob just last Sunday at the Dorset Rough Riders MTB event and I can still hear his voice.
I was taking photographs, Rob was Commisaire. He had ridden the Wessex 50 mile TT that morning and recorded 2.03.11. He was enjoying a good start to his season having ridden a PB for 25 in a club event the week before.

Rob talked about his hopes for the future; he had left his job with British Cycling and was hoping to get a teaching job. It was a “courageous move” he told me but he was sure it was the right move for him. We talked about the new Bournemouth Track, due to open next month. Track was Rob’s real passion and he spoke enthusiastically about the prospect of track racing on his doorstep. We shared a table at the Poole Wheelers dinner in the winter and he spoke of nothing else. It’s very difficult to know what to say. Here is Rob riding the EDCA 24 in April. See you up the road Rob.

ROB JEFFERIES (Poole Wheelers)