Cyclist, 96, reunited with treasured bike in care home

3 hours ago

News image — Clifford Craske's daughter Alice arranged for his beloved bicycle to be restored

Care UK/PA Media Clifford Craske and Alice Craske are in a room. He is in a wheelchair and has white hair and spectacles. He is wearing a pink shirt and cream trousers. She has long blonde hair and is wearing spectacles and a blue dress. They are both looking at the frame of a racing bicycle. — Clifford Craske's daughter Alice arranged for his beloved bicycle to be restored

A 96-year-old man said it was "unbelievable" to see his treasured racing bicycle again after his daughter arranged for it to be restored and brought to his care home.

Clifford Craske was a competitive cyclist for much of his life and met his wife in Cambridge through the sport in 1947.

His daughter, Alice Craske, 67, arranged for the Claud Butler road bike to be transported to his care home in the city, complete with its original saddle and dropped handlebars, where it will be displayed in his room.

The great-grandfather said: "It was so unbelievable to see my bicycle again. It brought back lovely memories."

Craske was a passionate member of Cambridge Town and County Cycling Club, now known as Cambridge Cycling Club.

During his years of competitive cycling, he became a sprint champion and twice won the Lime Kiln Hill climb challenge near the city.

He would regularly cycle long distances to participate in races, including from Cambridge to Coventry and Herne Hill in London, sometimes travelling there and back in one day.

His Claud Butler bicycle was a particular source of pride, and before races Craske would strip it of anything he considered to be unnecessary weight before rebuilding it for the journey home.

Care UK/PA Wire Clifford Craske and Alice Craske are in a room. He is in a wheelchair and has white hair and spectacles. He is wearing a pink shirt and cream trousers. She has long blonde hair and is wearing spectacles and a blue dress. They are pictured behind the frame of a racing bicycle. — Craske rode his bicycle competitively for many years

After moving into a care home in Cambridge with his wife, who died last year, the retired architectural technician's bicycle was stored in his family's garage.

However, his daughter realised how much it meant to him and arranged for it to be restored and reunited with Craske at Care UK's Heathlands House care home.

He was presented with the bicycle and joined by members of his former cycling club.

The bicycle was specially prepared for display, with the wheels left off so Craske could keep it in his room.

Razvan Stanbeca, the care home manager, said: "Seeing Clifford reunited with his bicycle was such a touching moment, and it was clear to see how much it meant to him.

"Clifford's face said it all – and there were certainly a few emotional moments. There was barely a dry eye in the house."