Cycling friends of Guy Wharton have paid tribute to him.
Andy Podmore, friend and owner of specialist bike shop Maccycles on Jordangate, met Guy in 2003 and they went riding countless times.
He said: “Guy had a phenomenal appetite when it came to the things in life he had a passion for, family, teaching and riding his bike.
“It’s no exaggeration to say he would ride every night, sometimes as late as 10pm to fit in around his family and work commitments, always in the hills because he loved them, not to boast or publish his data on social media – he didn’t even have a bike computer – always just to go and ‘bash out a few miles in the hills’.
“He was a super-fit individual, his climbing ability on a bike was unbelievable until you saw him go – inspirational.
“Guy made me laugh, made me think, his science discussions and life in general, and was an inspiration on the bike.
“What more could you ask for?
“He was a great friend and I shall miss him dearly.”
Dozens of friends are planning to ride from Bollington on July 31 at 2pm in remembrance of Guy.
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One of those attending is Bhima Bowden, from Macclesfield, who met Guy in 2010.
The pair went from strangers, passing each other on the Cat and Fiddle, to firm friends.
Bhima said his favourite story of Guy was from September 2014.
He said: “The full moon was just rising over Buxton while the sun was setting back in Macclesfield; an almost cinematic sporting arena.
“I remember him coming past me on a battered old mountain bike with a big grin while I was on a fast speed-machine.
“I was huffing and puffing to keep up – that moment says it all.
“It wasn’t about expensive bikes for him, it was about the enjoyment.
“He didn’t care about heart-rate, body weight or power output.
“He measured himself on how much fun he could have.
“Always so happy to be on his bike, this enthusiasm was contagious, even more so when I realised he was always going so hard because he was in such a rush to get home and put the kids to bed and tell them of his adventures before it got too late.
“He revealed that he wanted to get them out riding with him and I really hope this doesn’t put them off because those evenings out were a massive contributor to his passion for life.
“Buxton Road is our territory and so, while his final ride being up there is so tragic, I can safely say he would have felt on top of the world on that warm evening.”
