Charity cyclists devastated after bikes are stolen

Simon Best, 41, and his neighbour, Owain Harrison, 36, recently undertook a charity bike ride in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
They cycled from Newbury, where they live near the racecourse, down to Bath, and then from Bath to Bournemouth, as part of the 145-mile BHF organised ride, and were due to return from Bournemouth to Newbury yesterday (Mon) on the final 60-mile stretch, to complete the three-day ride.
Their efforts were halted however, after their bicycles were stolen overnight from the car park of the Royal Bath Hotel where they were staying: “Everything was going swimmingly until then,” said Mr Best.
With no spare mountain bicycles readily available to borrow from either bicycle shops in Bournemouth, or the police, the pair were forced to temporarily abandon their charity ride, and return to Newbury by train.
Mr Best’s wife, Melanie, said that despite the actions of the hooded thieves being recorded on CCTV, the chances of catching them were remote.
“It is the funeral of the friend of the family who inspired them to do this in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, and they are gutted not to have been able to complete the ride in her honour,” said Mrs Best.
Mr Best has since contacted his insurers and was awaiting replacement bicycles, so that he and Mr Harrison can complete the ride this coming weekend.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Best should visit