Bike shop owner appeals for help recovering bikes bought with money from father's will

The owner of a Yorkshire bike shop is appealing for help finding two stolen bikes with unusually high sentimental value.

On the evening of Monday November 24, Riders Cycle Centre in Skipton was broken into. Four bikes, two Fox forks and a Fox rear shock were stolen.

Two of the bikes belonged to owner Stuart Rider and were bought with funds left in his father's will.

The two titanium mountain bikes are a Ragley Blue Pig and a Ragley TD1. Both are engraved with 'MJR RIP' on the top tube in commemoration of his father Michael John Rider.

After the theft, Stuart posted on his Facebook page: "I can't describe how upset this has made me. My dad died too young. This bike was him. Always with me and enjoying my rides."

Unfortunately, local police have been unable to trace the bikes.

Stuart told road.cc: "They have been very helpful and have kept me well informed. The police who arrived the night of the robbery are all customers of mine.

"I moved to Yorkshire from Hertfordshire 7 yrs ago and after my father's death in 2011 I brought the bikes with his money. They have both been a big part of my time in Yorkshire and have accompanied me on many adventures, podiums and sportive. They have been part of me in more ways than I can mention and without them my cycling seems a little bit empty.

"A little part of my cycling soul is now missing."

Both bikes have Selle Italia Flite saddles. The Blue Pig has Hope pink brake levers while the TD1 has a Surly Blk steel fork and Shimano XTR brakes.

Anyone who has information about the missing bikes should contact Stuart at riderscyclecentre [at] live.co.uk.