A MAN who became a legend among local cyclists, has died after a short illness at the age of 77.

Mr Charles (Charlie) Westlake passed away at his daughter's home in Glossop a week ago after a short illness.

During his lifetime, it is reckoned he had ridden more than 300,000 miles, the equivalent of 12 times round the earth!

And at his funeral today (Fri June 22), a cycle-led cortege will accompany the hearse to St Joseph's Church, Bury, for the funeral service and later to Bury Cemetery for interment.

Friends say Charlie's death marks the end of an era for Bury cyclists.

Retired sewing machine mechanic Charlie, who leaves two sons and two daughters, lived in Delamere Street, Bury. He was six-years-old when he was given his first bike and did his first major cycle ride four years later. Cycling entered into almost every aspect of his life. He and his first serious girlfriend joined forces to buy a tandem and went on a romantic ride. However, when the young lady went off with another suitor, Charlie kept the tandem.

As a teenager in the pre-war years, he joined Bury Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC). But the outbreak of war meant the suspension of its activities and he became a member of Bury Clarion, which continued throughout the war.

The immediate post-war years were halcyon days for cyclists and Charlie revelled in the joy of leading Bury Clarion's A section runs to distant places.

In the 1980s, the Clarion no longer had the members who were willing to ride long distances each Sunday, so Charlie returned to the CTC.

He was club president and treasurer and vice president of the Manchester District Association to which Bury CTC is affiliated.

Distance was never a problem for him and the further and more difficult the ride, the better.

In 1955, one of his greatest self-imposed challenges was a ride to complete the off road ascent of the three Yorkshire peaks. This in itself was a great test of endurance, but the ride also included the miles from Bury and back home in the day.

Charlie enjoyed going far afield on his bike and loved taking part in Reliability Rides, especially those of a longer distance such as the 24 hours, the 150 miles and the 200 miles to the Humber Bridge and back in a day.

This he last did in 1993 at the age of 70. Those who cycled with him will remember his annual ride to Pateley Bridge and back on the last Sunday of January.

Charlie was a great lover of "rough stuff" riding. Years before the age of the mountain bike he used to seek out tracks to ride on during club runs, much to the chagrin of some less adventurous riders who preferred to keep to the tarmac.

Still riding up to a few months before his death, Charlie is quoted as saying: "There's nothing quite like tearing down a hill in the open air. I love being in the countryside and sitting on a saddle is the best way to appreciate it."

His close friends say Charlie's wiry frame and distinctive gait will be seen no more on the lanes of Lancashire and beyond, but he will live forever in their memories.

The funeral service will be held today at St Joseph's Church at 11am.