THEY say you never forget how to ride a bike which is just as well for pedal-mad pensioner Bill Stansbie.

For the sprightly 67-year-old is taking to the saddle again after a 45 year break to tot up cash for St Catherine's Hospice.

The retired garage service engineer used to go time trialling and touring throughout the country as a teenager. Now he is taking part in a 20-mile trek in Chipping for the fund-raising Ribble Valley Cycle Ride.

But when Bill went to buy a new bike he was bemused by the vast array of equipment and gadgets.

He said: "I used to ride a single speed fixed sprocket cycle which meant you never stopped pedalling.

"Now there's lots of gears, fancy clothes and posing, but I've soon got back into it. It's just a case of balancing."

His training features regular canoeing trips in the Lakes, another passion he has picked up again from 20 years ago when he ran a venture scouts group in Penwortham.

Bill has also been helping the Hospice by driving patients to and from their homes.

The cycle challenge takes place on June 29. There are other courses of 30 miles through Bleasdale and 55 miles through the Trough of Bowland, and Bill is encouraging others to sign up. He said: "Anybody can do it if you ease yourself back into exercise and train slowly."

Contact the Appeals Department at St Catherine's Hospice on (01772) 324540 for details, or call at the Citizen or any of Preston's main cycle shops.

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