Hartlepool man Tom Pailor – who was the founder of the sponsored bike ride Cycle4Life which takes place next weekend – died on May 19.

The 69-year-old leaves his wife Madge, son Andrew, 42, and grandchildren Thomas Arthur, two, and Libby, who was born just a couple of weeks ago.

Tom, the former managing director of Hartlepool engineering firm JJ Hardy, spent much of his retirement fulfilling his lifelong passion for cycling, a pastime he had enjoyed the age of 15.

Mr Pailor, who was only diagnosed with leukaemia in January this year, handed over the business reins to son Andrew in 2002, as his father had done with him back in 1963.

The dad-of-one was also president of Hartlepool Cycling Club and a key committee member of Cycle4Life, the town's premier charity bike ride which is organised by the Rotary Club of Hartlepool.

Chairman of the Cycle4Life organising committee, Roger Simpson, said: "We are all deeply saddened by the news of Tom's death, and we pass on our deepest condolences to Madge and the rest of the family.

"Tom had been instrumental in the organisation of Cycle4Life since its inception in 2003.

"Not only did he contribute much of his time to co-ordinating the cycling routes and developing the charity's website, he also found the energy to complete the event himself each year, taking on the most challenging 80km option."

Tom made the headlines last year after he completed a gruelling 874-mile bike ride across France from Calais to the Mediterranean, with childhood friend Ron Best.

It took the dedicated pair 15 days to complete the ride, but they were used to a challenge after completing the renowned Land's End to John O'Groats route in 2007.

The Cycle4Life charity bike ride takes place on Sunday, June 7, starting at around 8.45am and finishing at Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club, in West View.

It offers three routes of 17km, 40km and 80km enabling all types of cyclist to take part, from families and leisure riders to the serious enthusiast.

All of the money raised will be donated to the Hartlepool and District Hospice.

Mr Simpson added: "With Cycle4Life 2009 just a week away, I know that we will all take a moment to reflect before the cycling commences and we hope that any previous participants will be keen to come along again to ride in Tom's memory."

Tom's funeral was held on Friday, at St Peter's Church, in his home village of Wolviston, followed by a private cremation.

For more information about how to take part or become a sponsor call Ted Jackson (01429) 275271 or visit www.cycle4life.org

For those who don't fancy taking to the saddle but would like to offer their support, an online donation facility has been set up at www.justgiving.com/cycle4life2009.