Tributes have poured in for a husband and father who tragically died after coming off his bike in Westerham.

Five ambulances and the air ambulance were called to Hosey Hill at 12.35pm on Friday to assist Steve Wand, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

As news of the 58-year-old's death broke friends and family paid tribute, describing him as a gentle giant and wonderful man.

Mr Wand, born in Beckenham, was a keen sportsman and began training at Greenwich Tritons. He later became a member of the Sidcup Cycle Centre, Bexley Masters Swimming Club, Nemes Nutters Swimming Club, VC Elan and CS Avanti.

Mr Wand became heavily involved in sport after the birth of his children and regularly participated in open water swimming.

His wife, Janice, who he met in 1985 and married in 1987, said: "Steve was always looking for adventure and excitement, and always had a whole range of passions, not hobbies he hated that word as everything he ever did was taken to the extreme.

"He always had to do everything full on and be the best at it as he was extremely competitive.

"He put his heart into all of his passions. When I first met him, he was a very passionate artist and into sculpture. We still have pottery and paintings around the house today. He was also a keen motorcyclist.

"He and his motorbike group would storm down to the coast like something from Quadrophenia, as you can imagine my parents were a little skeptical of my 'hippie' boyfriend at first.

"He always had a passion for fishing, which later on developed into extreme specimen hunting. He made his own bait and trained the fish to eat it. I once went to have a bath to find a bath full of dead eels!

"But one of his many highlights included catching a 36lb carp called Rosie which made the papers at the time. He was also a fantastic cook and specialist organic gardener, growing all of his own vegetables."

The happy couple spent six months backpacking around India after marrying, before travelling South East Asia.

Mrs Wand added: "When I met Steve he'd already covered India and Nepal, so wanted me to experience the great delights of travelling."

The pair and their two children Travis, 17, and Ruby, 15 spent many holidays in a campervan in Cornwall and France where Mr Wand, who has two older children, developed a love for swimming.

Mrs Wand, from Bexleyheath, added: "Lots of our happiest memories revolve around sport. He encouraged our children to participate and they would often do mini-triathlons while he would do 'the big one'.

"He was also hugely encouraging to me when I ran the London Marathon and was immensely proud - a dream he unfortunately could not fulfill due to bad knees.

"He even had our three-legged dog Dylan sniffing out hidden biscuits like an SAS obstacle course for dogs.

"In recent years, Steve was happiest on his bike, flying along with his fellow club members, and enjoyed a real ale, he also made his own. He would look forward to coming home to a bottle of real, proper beer'.

Mr Wand was sadly due to retire in a matter of weeks, and would have celebrated his 59th birthday on Monday, May 23.

"He had such a love for life. Tragically his colourful life has been cut far too short, and we will all miss him ever so much.

"Our only comfort is that he left this world doing something he truly loved," his wife added.

Richard Jones, founder and chair of Bexley Masters SC, said: "I knew Steve for around 10 years. His commitment was admired by all as was his competitive spirit. He really was one of a kind.

"I just can't believe it. We saw him one week training, then the next week this happens. It was a real blow."

Debbie Coyle, a close friend of Mr Wand's, said: "I am saddened by the loss of a wonderful friend who I was fortunate enough to spend many hours training and racing with. We spent hours on our bike together chatting about his family who he truly adored and loved.

"He was so incredibly proud of his children who he felt were growing up to quickly. Steve was incredibly passionate and committed to his swimming.

"I would often refer to him as a fish in water. One of my special memories of training with Steve was when we decided to race each other in a little butterfly race in which I beat him but every time after that he would always ask me when we could have that rematch.

"Sadly this will now never happen. Steve and I were very similar in abilities on the bike and would always seek one another’s results after an event.

"I was always proud of him when he had a good race and he always showed so much enthusiasm and encouragement towards me and my achievements. Time Trialling will never be the same without him.

"I’ve lost a true friend and club mate but nothing comes close to the loss for his family. Such a wonderful and inspirational man. RIP my dear friend."