Tributes have poured in to a 93-year-old cyclist nicknamed Bob the Bike following his tragic death in a road accident this week.

Legendary Bob Friend was seriously injured in a collision with a car on the A28 at St Nicholas-at-Wade on Monday and died the following day at King's College Hospital in London.

The retired market gardener, who lived in Minster, had notched up almost 150,000 miles on his trusty Thorn tourers and was a familiar sight on the roads around east Kent.

Even in his 80s he cycled to Brighton and then on to Gloucestershire and Reading to see his sisters and then back home again.

His daughter, Diane, who is one of four siblings, said: "He really was quite remarkable for his age and a bit of a legend in the cycling community.

"He suffered a serious head injury and never regained conciousness. We did use to nag him about not wearing a helmet but he could be quite stubborn and said it was more important to wear good gloves.

"Although it was a horrible accident, I guess the only blessing is he didn't know anything about it and died doing what he loved.

"I put news of his passing on Facebook because he was quite well known, but I never expected quite so many kind messages and tributes to our dad, which has been quite a comfort to the family."

In 2015, KentOnline reported how Bob, who was 86 at the time, had been bitten by a dog while out cycling and rode to Margate Hospital for treatment to the wound. He was kept in overnight as a precaution, but in the morning he found a thief had stolen his bike, which he had locked up outside.

The British bike manufacturer Thorn heard of his plight and gave him a new bike at half price.

Bob, a dad-of-four and great-grandad, had a market garden growing veg in the Minster area for all his life, often working seven days a week until he retired.

"It was then he was really able to indulge his love of cycling and would think nothing of riding 100 miles a day," said Diane.

"Everyone knew him and he was nicknamed Bob the Bike.

"But in recent years, perhaps not surprisingly, he had slowed down quite a bit, although he still enjoyed getting out.

"He was just a lovely dad and character and we will all miss his dearly."

Bob leaves his wife Tina, sons David and Stephen, and daughters Susan and Diane.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the accident, which happened at about 9.30am on Monday, October 4, as Bob turned from Orchard Lane onto the A28 Canterbury Road, where he was in collision with a green Vauxhall Corsa.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would like to speak to anyone who saw the accident or has dashcam footage which might assist their enquiries.

Witnesses should call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798 538 or email them quoting XX/MW/110/21.

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