Popular cyclist Gary Woodward, who was dedicated to cycling and made a lifelong member of the Chippenham Wheelers club, has died at the age of 68.

Mr Woodward, who lived in Braydon, near Minety, died at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, on July 7 after collapsing with a cardiac arrest on June 20.

He was often seen cycling around the county’s roads and was found unconscious at the side of Blacklands Road, in Flaxlands, near Royal Wootton Bassett.

Mr Woodward leaves his 47-year-old son Duane and his ex-wife Jackie, who he married in 1967 and divorced in 1988.

He went to secondary school in Malmesbury, before becoming an apprentice at Barnes, Dauntsey.

Here he learnt how to repair car bodywork, later working at Thomas’ garage in Calne and the Platinum garage on The Causeway, Chippenham.

For the last five to six years, Mr Woodward worked as a charity worker delivering aid supplies to Serbia and Kosovo. He worked for a charity based in Reading and would fly abroad for several months at a time, during which time he started to learn some of the local language.

Mr Woodward enjoyed travelling, especially to America and New Zealand, but his main passion was cycling, which he took up in 1967.

As a cyclist he competed in races all over the country, coming fourth in the men’s British Best All-Rounder (BBAR) competition in 1978.

He also won a string of awards within the Chippenham Wheelers Club in the 1970s and 1980s, including cups for 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles. He was unbeaten as the best all-rounder from 1970 to 1980, and also gained this title in 1982, 1984 and 1986.

His ex-wife Jackie said he died doing what he loved and would like to thank the driver of the SEB van, who dialled 999, and police who looked after his bike.

The funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.