Vale - Mark Carter
| This page is in tribute to Mark Carter the great Canberra Cycling identity who tragically passed away on the 14th of April 2004 due to an accidental fall and resulting head injuries. If you wish to add a tribute please email me. Another tribute page found at cyclingnews.com |
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Drinks for Carts
This Thursday the 14th of April 2005 is the Anniversary of the passing of Mark Cater (former CCC president and Canberra Cycling identity). To mark this occasion I would like to offer an open invitation to everyone to meet for a drink at one of Mark's favourite watering holes All Bar Nun in O'Conner from 7:30pm.
Thank you card from Janelle Carter
My tribute to mark 13/04/05
When first hearing that he passed away i had know idea who it really was, until i heard people describing him, then i was like, how could he die he was only playfully bagging me out the other week but it still didn't seem to sink in till i joined the bunch in a memory ride an went to Carts house. An saw Janelle the smiling lady as i remeber her who i always managed to corner and get a chat out off, when i saw a faint smile it hit me and the tears came i know knew that it was the golden god as i called him who had passed away.
Every time i do a crit ride i still exspect to see him there with a checky smile and a come back to what ever i try to throw at him, I give the highest regards i am possible off to his lovely wife i hope you always remeber that he was not only friend with the older guys but the younger juniour riders as well.
Laura Meisel-Dennis
I just read Mark's obituary from the Canberra Times. Among other things it mentioned his drive and enthusiasm, his committment, and his desire to be part of the action. This reminded me of a club race at Nanima Road sevaral years ago. Somehow Mark and I found ourselves off the front of the race together. I remember being really motivated for this race...I even had the deep dish wheels on. Mark was struggling with the pace. But even though he must have been resigned to the fact that he would eventually have to let me go, he persisted and continued to pull turns when he was able to. Others would have tried to sit on...feigning fatigue or something. It was just part of Mark's mentality to 'have a go' regardless of the consequences, a character trait that endeared him to many. He wasn't afraid of failing...only of not trying.
There is an expression that I associate with Mark. I'm not actually sure if it actually came from him, but it sure sounds like him. It goes something like this: 'It doesn't matter how well you do something...it's how good you look doing it that counts!'
Michael Tolhurst
Melbourne
For Janelle, a wonderful person, a good friend and a patient and loving wife.
I first met Mark on what I imagine was the 70's version of a 'play date' organised by our parents. From memory, 7 or 8 year old Mark was not particularly interested in 7 year old Margaret as we drank our cordial at his family dining table. Despite living less that 4km apart during our formative years, other than vague recognition in college, where we were at Daramalan together for a year (he was after all a cool year 12, and me but a lowly year 11) it was upon my discovery of cycling that I got to know Mark and his wonderful wife Janelle.
I recollect before I became a cyclist someone telling me that Mark had taken to bike riding and that horror of horrors he shaved his legs. I am sure at the time 20 year old Margaret shook her head, appalled at the thought of smooth male legs. How times change.
At the start of my cycling career I was an intermittent visitor to Canberra, having discovered cycling interstate whilst studying and working. I remember my first Saturday Bakery Gallops and Sunday Monaro Gallops with Carts, the original BLD in for the sprint but even then not so keen on the hills! He always made me feel welcome and was forever up for a chat.
By the time I moved back to the National Capital I was well and truly a cyclist and inducted into the summer Canberra Cycling Community. (My Aussie winters were spent racing in Europe). I love my Aussie summers in Canberra Bunch rides and coffee shops, and the Club Dinner - Carts, aka 'Mr Metrosexual' looking sensational in a suit with a tie knot the size of a fist in fine form on the microphone, New Years Party, Carts always an integral part of the scene, the Wednesday night Crits - The BLD on show, best dressed in 'B' grade. The JJJ Hottest 100 party at Mark and Janelles, with Carts as king of the Barbie. It won't be the same.
My two enduring memories of Carts will be of him resplendent in his gold Saeco Cannondale knicks and jersey & his white carnac podium shoes, microphone in hand at a Wednesday evening in Kingston. The other will be of him in the corner of his kitchen in Dunlop next to his beloved Saeco coffee machine after an evening of Turkish takeaway, dutifully scraping the last scoop of streets blue ribbon (lite of course) for my affogato. Carts, we'll miss you, there will never be another!
Margaret Hemsley
As an ex neighbour of Janelle and Mark, there are a few things I remember about him. We remember Mark all dressed up and having a beer on his wedding day with his best man and groomsmen on our driveway in Dunlop, another memory is Mark and his pals erecting the wooden fence and joining my husband for a beer or three, also being part of Mark and Janelle's early life in Dunlop, the Christmas drinks and across the road witty comments.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Janelle, Ray and Carole and Marks family.
Sandra and Jeff Smith, Julie & Neil Ruttle, Sian & Matthew Manwaring, David & Lisa Smith
The staff and riders of the AIS Cycling base in Italy were shocked and saddened to hear of the injury and passing of Mark Carter. Many of us here are members of the Canberra Club and knew Mark well. Others met Mark and Janelle on their trip to Europe last year. It was a quiet time in the house in Cognento when the news reached us. Mark will be remembered here as an outgoing, enthusiastic person who made sure that he was involved in the action rather than sit on the sidelines. We will not only miss him in person but the contact he kept with us via e-mail.
Our sympathies go to Janelle, Mark's parents and everyone of Mark's many friends who share this feeling of loss.
Brian Stephens (on behalf of all the staff and riders at the AIS Base in Italy)
It is hard to comprehend that someone like Mark Carter has passed away. A larger than life character with a positive, can-do outlook, lots of energy, laughs and always ready with a witty response to some friendly ribbing.
Mark Carter was one of the first people to welcome me to the Canberra Cycling Club and to become a part of the CCC Committee. Mark was always ready to provide help and encouragement and came across as the sort of bloke who liked to help you to help yourself. Mark was never afraid to sit on the front and put in the hard yards, both on the bike and off. He was a leader and role model, someone that I and others respected and admired for his tireless efforts as Treasurer and President of the Canberra Cycling Club, for his wider contribution to cycling in the ACT and for the way he approached life.
I'll always remember a quote that Mark included in his cycling newsletter that pretty well sums up Mark's passion for cycling - 'cycling isn't a lifestyle, it's a way of life'.
The Big Legged Driver will be sadly missed. See ya Carts.
Richard Ferris
former member CCC and CCC Committee Member 2001 & 2002
Remembering Carts
- Everyone's reaction when Mark & Janelle turned up to an edition of the Wallaroobaix a few years ago, with Mark showing off his shiny new gold/white/black Team Saeco kit.
- Mark stopping to help me out when I had a flat & no spares after a race at Uriarra Homestead (just after joining the club).
Mark has left a positive and indelible impact on the lives of many people and whatever the context of their association with Mark, the same qualities have been evident - positive, friendly, helpful, good-humoured and well-versed in extolling the benefits of 'sharp' fashion and a freshly brewed espresso.
The Ferris/Cairns/Symonds family extends its condolences and good thoughts to the family and friends of 'Carts'.
Richard Ferris & family
Melbourne & Wangaratta, Vic.
To Janelle and all those who knew the great wonder that is Mark Carter
'Carts' The name would sound right the way down the bunch every Saturday morning along Ginninderra drive as he entered into the long winding Peloton that was about to contest in his signature ride.
I would always look up and see the black figure coming towards us and smile knowing there would be lots of laughs to be had and stories to hear. Carts was a very important part of my life. He was a role model for me as I grew up. I haven’t ever since I have been riding had a father figure in my life and in some ways he filled that spot whilst still being an amazing friend. He helped my mum buy my first Italian tie. Taught me about fashion, how to have fun and I owe alot of my personality traits to him.
He was a wonderful man with a heart of Gold, he lived life to the full and always did the right thing. I respect and admire him and always will.
Carts will be remembered for the work he did towards cycling in Canberra most definitely but most of all he will be remembered for the fun loving, charismatic and kind person he was.
I think this quote form the member profile sum him up perfectly
' A man should either be a piece of art or wear a piece of art'
He lived by that always.
Mate you will be sorely missed, your memory will live on forever! But at least you and your beloved Ti sports are back together...
George Bunt.
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Mark Carter.... Carts, the heart of the Canberra Cycling community. Words will never be able to describe the man or the loss that we feel. His selfless work, his love of life, cycling and the Italian way. His wide ties, stylish clothes, his big legs. Mark lived life to the beat of his own drum, which was pretty quick, for those that shared a drink with him often very loud. Australia day Hottest 100 parties at his place were legendary who could forget downing a Tequila and Gatorade slammer or an Affogato fresh from his prided Saeco. |
 Mark having fun on a CCC Xmas ride. |
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Racing along side Mark or leading him out for a Saturday gallop was an absolute privilege for this was a man who truly loved the sport. His favourite races the Canberra to Goulburn and the Goulburn to Camden and Coota classics. A night out after racing with Carts was a night to remember.
Marks weekly emails will go down in history and were the lifeline of the Canberra cycling scene. I know that I was not alone in eagerly awaiting their arrival each week, to rate a mention a real highlight.
Mark was admired and loved by just so many people most of all the lovely Janelle who he has left behind.
I still don't know what we are going to do without you Mark but I do know that whatever we do we will do it for you mate.
Allan Sieper
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To Club members and Janelle,
It has been difficult hearing the news about Mark, although there is a small contingent of the club on this side of the world, I am not surrounded by friends who know all the things that Mark has done for our sport, and what kind of a person he was.
Sure he loved cycling, but it was the community that he enjoyed so much. All the social events that were club related or just being involved with club members. He was so much the life of the party, things will go on but a little bit of the life will be missing from now on.
He worked so hard for the club and the sport, but it was so much more than that, he was a friend to so many of us in the club. He will be sorely missed.
My deepest sympathy goes to Janelle.
Mathew Hayman
Goodbye Carts!
On Wednesday 14 April I was told the very sad news about the death of a close friend of mine. Mark Carter, or 'Carts' as we all know him, was a big part of my life and I just wanted to share a few words with you about my mate. Carts was and always will be in our thoughts.
Carts was an energetic man who insisted on enjoying life to the full. He was always happy and willing to help anyone. He was a man who gave countless hours to help others and anyone who wanted to know more about the sport he loved, cycling.
I will always remember Mark and his wife Janelle standing on l'Alpe d'Huez last year during the Tour de France. I was doing my duties in the peloton, leading Richard Virenque up the climb. Amongst the hundreds of thousands of fans on that stretch of road I remember hearing Mark's words above all others: 'Come on Dodge!' I don't know where it was during the climb, but just knowing he was there - as he's always been during my career - helped me get to the top.
After the Tour in 2003, my fiance Alessia and I decided to visit Carts and Janelle while they were holidaying in Tuscany. Together we all enjoyed the wonderful food and wine in the evenings. And during the day Carts and I would ride through the olive tree-covered hills, stopping occasionally for a cappuccino or gelati.
Carts was always there. If there was fun to be had, he was in the middle of the action. If there was a problem, he only saw the positive side - negative wasn't an option, he didn't know what the word meant. He spent endless hours organising the Canberra Cycling Club and not once did I hear a word of complaint. He loved cycling, life, being with his friends and we all loved his warm sense of life, humour and his wonderful friendship.
Goodbye Carts, you'll be missed mate!
Mick Rogers
Quick.Step-Davitamon team rider
On behalf of everyone in the Northern Sydney Cycling Club, we would like to extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Mark Carter. I regularly received his email. Only the other day I emailed him directly to get more details about coming down to Canberra for the ACT road championships; his involvement in the sport and encouragement of others extended to beyond the local Canberra cycling community. I'll never forget the encouraging email he sent me when I won Canberra Tour in D grade.
Kind regards
Doug Robinson
Northern Sydney Cycling Club
Obituary in the Canberra Times 14/05/04
Excerpt from the AFFA E- Bulletin
Graeme Brown website
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