A VETERAN cyclist who died in a tragic crash during a time trial inspired others through his achievements, his friends said.

Weymouth pensioner Peter Tindley, 76, died after he struck a broken-down car while competing in a 50-mile race yesterday morning.

He was competing for Cycle Club Weymouth, where he had reigned as veteran champion for a number of years.

Mr Tindley crashed into the back of a blue Renault Clio which had its hazard lights on because he ‘did not see it’, Dorset Police said.

He was nearly three hours into the Bournemouth Jubilee 50-mile time trial when the crash occurred.

The road was closed for more than two hours following the collision and a police appeal has been launched to find witnesses.

Bill Simmons, event secretary of the Bournemouth Jubilee 50 mile event, said an investigation would be carried out into the accident.

“We are sending all our sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and clubmates of Peter.

“Until we carry out our own investigation we are not in a position to comment.”

Tributes have poured in for divorced Mr Tindley, who only took up cycling when he retired as a British Aerospace project manager.

The superfit pensioner set himself the target of riding 100,000 miles in 10 years when he started out in the sport.

After reaching this milestone he cycled 1,100 miles across America in 20 days in 2006 and regularly cycled 100 miles a week.

The senior cyclist competed in his club’s veterans’ competition on Tuesday in which he was narrowly beaten into second place.

Paul Gould, chairman of Cycle Club Weymouth, said his clubmate’s death came as a ‘huge shock to the club and to the cycling community’.

He added: “Peter was a committed and enthusiastic cyclist and an inspiration to all his clubmates.

“He has been the club veteran champion for a number of years and is a great loss to cyclists in Dorset.”

A memorial will be planned by CC Weymouth’s 50 members to pay tribute to Mr Tindley, he said.

“We thought the world of Pete. He was genuinely an inspiration to a lot of people and was an extremely nice man,” he added.

“It’s very sad. We shall miss Pete so, so much.”

CC Weymouth member Duncan Towner, of Dorchester, described Mr Tindley as ‘an inspirational and friendly’ man.

Mr Towner said: “He was definitely inspiring.

“I remember first meeting him about 10 years ago and he was impressive then.

“He was very good for his age and very quick even in comparison to some of the younger members.

“He was friendly and he loved cycling and doing time trials, which is when you’re racing on your own around a course trying to get the best time possible.

“I was shocked when I heard the news – I’d seen him out and about quite a lot recently.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard how old he was, he seemed so much younger.”

Mark Steen, race director of BustinSkin triathlon and events club, said he had links with CC Weymouth through some of his members.

He said: “It’s a very sad occasion for Weymouth.

“As a club it’s never good to hear of any athlete passing away at an event.”