Sheffield councillor, 83, back in training for epic bike ride after nasty crash

Peter Price was thrown over the handlebars earlier this month and left in a bloody mess – as these photos show – but he has already resumed training for an epic 356-mile charity cycle challenge later this year.

The Labour councillor for Shiregreen and Brightside was cycling back from his daughter’s home in Barnsley along the Trans Pennine Trail when he hit a fallen branch in Stairfoot Wood.

He was left dripping with blood, having sustained nasty cuts to his leg, knee, thigh and shoulder, and also damaged his rotator cuff in his shoulder.

Nuisance neighbour banned from Sheffield estate in 2018 – now terrorising a new street

Despite that, he still cycled the last eight miles home and, after a check-up at hospital the following day revealed his wounds were mostly superficial, has wasted no time getting back in the saddle following a speedy recovery.

Peter plans to take on the Tour de Brittany in France this September, Covid rules allowing, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

He has already raised more than £100,000 for the charity since his wife Janet sadly died of cancer, with previous challenges including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in his 70s.

“I was staggering about a bit after the crash but fortunately there were two ladies there who looked after me,” he said.

Concerns raised as travellers set up camp on recreation ground opposite new housing development

“They kept saying they’d ring me an ambulance but I’ve got a new bike so I was worried about it getting damaged. I sat down for a bit and gradually recovered until I felt good enough to cycle the rest of the way home.

“I’ve come off my bike several times before but it’s usually been on the tram tracks.

“You need to keep your wits about you when you’re sharing the road with cars but I thought I’d be OK on the Trans Pennine Trail. Unfortunately I never saw the branch.

“You have to keep active, whatever your age. I’ve always told my kids you’ve got to let the body have it.”

Sheffield city centre residents say new 10-storey tower block would ruin their homes

Peter chairs Sheffield Council’s Cycle Forum and is excited about the planned improvements to cycle routes which he believes will make cycling a safer and more attractive prospect for people of all ages in the city.

“You’re going to see a real transformation because there’s a lot of government money being spent improving cycle routes.

“There’s always controversy because sometimes you have to push cars off those routes but I’m confident that in the next five to 10 years, Sheffield is going to become a great place for cyclists.

“We’re looking at routes across the city, including Don Valley, from The Wicker to Stocksbridge, and parts of the east end, like Darnall and Tinsley.

“When I set up the Cycle Forum 30 years ago people used to tell me you’ll never make cycling inviting here because of all the hills.

“It’s taken a while but I’m really excited about all the changes coming in.”

To sponsor Peter, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Peter-Price16.