Charlie and Paul Farren. Photo: Caz Whitehead

Charlie and Paul Farren. Photo: Caz Whitehead

Message from Charlie Farren

Dear all

It is with deep sadness that I write to say that Paul Farren died yesterday afternoon, Thursday 5th October.

He has weathered the vicissitudes of cancer for many years longer than originally expected when he was diagnosed in 2012. Gorgeous, happy years during which time much has been achieved, more bikes acquired and restored, many many coffees consumed in the company of good friends whose support has been invaluable. Your texts, visits and emails lately have been so wonderful, thank you.

He has enriched the lives of so many of us and will continue to do so ‘cos he’ll live on in our hearts and minds (whether you like it or not) and float into our consciousness every time a bicycle goes by.

So grieve, laugh and cry for him, hold on to your thoughts of him. Talk about him often and enjoy your memories of a gorgeous, special person.

We are better for knowing him and worse off for losing him.

There will be a Paul shaped hole in my heart forever.

Charlie

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Bicycling Through Time – The Farren Collection

Bicycling Through Time – The Farren Collection

“A get together for the friends of Paul Farren to wax lyrical about this gorgeous guy will be held Wednesday 22 November 5.15 pm, The Terrace (tea rooms) Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. Enter via Gate A, Alexandra Avenue. Bicycles welcome of course.” (The Age, Obituary, 13 October 2017)

This Saturday: if you would like to reminisce with friends, Abbotsford Cycles are having a Bicycle Swap Meet in association with the Vintage Cycle Club Of Victoria on Saturday the 14th of October. Buy, swap, sell or just have a browse. There’s sure to be loads of classic, vintage and precious bicycle stuff of all eras available. Free for buyers & browsers, $10 for sellers. Contact Mark Bradley on barkmadly[AT]netspace.net.au to book a stall.

Alongside the fabulous Charlie, Paul was a legendary bicycle historian and collector not only in Australia but worldwide. As 3CR podcasts expire after a while, we’ve rehosted Faith & Val’s interview with Charlie and Paul from 23 September 2013.

RIP Paul Farren… Paul Farren has both inspired and encouraged me. We have had many quiet little chats at events; his passion was so infectious and knowledge of vintage cycling seemed endless. He taught me what “original” really meant, and that the variety of design and invention in early cycling was much greater than many knew, he taught me how important cycling has been in our history. Paul and his wife Charlie have been great supporters of my business and the cycling culture I’m creating, coming along to many events and referring customers to me. I have had so many memorable moments with Paul, like the Highwheel ride we all did to the Hawthorn Velodrome where Paul took his last Penny Farthing Ride. At the last Melbourne Tweed Ride Paul said, ‘Thank you for organising these rides, we’ve just had the best day. There are people here we have never seen and they are all getting into the spirit of vintage cycling. This is what it’s all about’. That moment has cycled through my mind a lot in the last month or so. I had every intention of organising another Tweed ride, one starting at the Farren collection and ending at an old pub in Richmond, so that Paul could again enjoy that cycling culture, sadly it was not to be. Paul Farren has left a lasting impression on many, for me I will always count myself lucky I was able to call him a friend.

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