OTLEY came to a standstill last weekend as hundreds of cyclists paid their respects to local rider Craig Armitage.

The 44-year-old father-of-three died in a road accident near Bolton Abbey while taking part in the Otley Reliability Ride, to Kettlewell, on February 15.

About 200 of Mr Armitage’s friends, colleagues and fellow cyclists turned out in his honour on Sunday.

They completed a 14-mile section – named Craig’s Tribute – of the Alba Rosa Cycling Club’s Reliability Ride which had been altered especially so it would pass through Mr Armitage’s hometown.

A minute’s silence was held at the starting point outside the Lawnswood Arms, in Leeds, before the riders – including Mr Armitage’s 70-year-old father, Ken – set off. Upon their arrival in Otley they were cheered on by spectators and publicly thanked by Mr Armitage’s widow, Jill.

Visibly emotional, she told them: “Your presence here just speaks volumes for how much we all loved and respected Craig. Thank you so much.”

Mrs Armitage’s mother, Joan, said: “I feel so proud and humble.

“I didn’t know how much he was loved but I do now.

“He’s made such a big difference to cycling and he has been well loved, it’s wonderful to see.”

Cyclist friends, meanwhile, paid tribute to his “larger than life” character and sense of humour.

Business partner Jonathan Farnby had co-founded Otley-based In Gear Coaching, which runs cycle training programmes for children, with Mr Armitage.

He said: “Craig had a massive impact on the local cycling community.

“He taught many, many children how to ride bikes and also a real genuine family man and devoted father of three children.”

He added that the mass ride was “absolutely what Craig would have wanted”.

“We don’t know what happened on the road that day,” he said. “This was about celebrating a life and a love of cycling.”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) was among the well-wishers who applauded the cyclists as they made their way along Farnley Lane, and said he was moved by the whole event.

l Skipton Coroner’s Court has opened and adjourned a inquest into the death.