More than 180 people got on their bikes in remembrance of a Beckenham man who died suddenly while cycling last week.
Paul Skelly, 52, known as Skelly to his friends, was a former chairman of the Beckenham Rugby Club and founder of their cycling club.
Experienced cyclists and complete beginners completed a four and a half mile route around Beckenham to remember their friend by doing what he loved.
Siobhan Carroll, who had known Mr Skelly for 10 years, said: "People who haven't been on their bikes for 10 or 15 years, everyone rallied around.
"There were 180 people that got on their bikes and shared the celebration.
"When the numbers started increasing we decided to make it accessible so all capabilities were welcome.
"He would have wanted nobody left out."
Cyclists gathered at Beckenham Rugby Club to remember their friend Paul Skelly.
Mr Skelly had been involved with Beckenham Rugby Club for more than 30 years.
He played, coached and sat on the committee before setting up the Beckenham Rugby Cycling Club.
Ms Carroll, who lives in Sylvan Road, Crystal Palace, said: “One of his loves was cycling and the other was rugby.
“He was a rugby player and a cyclist, he got back on the bike and fell in love with it again and he shared his passion with others.”
The memorial, on Wednesday May 25, started with a minute of silence and friends who could not make it to the event took part wherever they were in the world by going out on their bikes.
Experienced cyclists and beginners took part in the 4.5 mile route
Ms Carroll said: “There were so many mixed emotions, he gave us a massive support network, and everyone has come together and supported each other.
“We were doing what he loves do and as members of the club we were trying to support those around us.”
Mr Skelly was a supporter of the Ordinary to Extraordinary (O2E) charity, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone to raise money for seriously and terminally ill children.
At the time of his death he was training to complete the 350 miles from Gothenburg to Stockholm in aid of the charity.
His friends have started a fundraiser for the charity, which has already raised £4000.
Ms Carroll said her friend was known for his encouraging attitude and willingness to include everybody regardless of ability.
She said: “He would say, 'Don't think about it, just go out and do it. You will never know unless you try and the satisfaction of completing a challenge is extraordinary.'
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