'I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE' - HAWKRIDGE

One of the South East's top cycling officials, John Hawkridge is back working part time after making a remarkable recovery from injuries his doctor said should have killed him.

Hawkridge crashed into the back of a parked lorry during an evening time trial on June 8 this year. The collision ruptured his aorta, the main artery which carries blood from the heart. He spent three weeks in intensive care, and eight weeks in total in hospital. "There were no witnesses and I couldn't remember a thing about what happened," said Hawkridge.

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Keith Bingham joined the Cycling Weekly team in the summer of 1971, and retired in 2011. During his time, he covered numerous Tours de France, Milk Races and everything in-between. He was well known for his long-running 'Bikewatch' column, and played a pivotal role in fighting for the future of once at-threat cycling venues such as Hog Hill and Herne Hill Velodrome.