A LOOSE bike chain was probably to blame for the death of an elderly cyclist, an inquest has heard. Leonard Shore, aged 77, was cycling along Hollybush Lane in Flamstead when he fell off his bike last August. He was discovered seriously injured and was

A LOOSE bike chain was probably to blame for the death of an elderly cyclist, an inquest has heard.

Leonard Shore, aged 77, was cycling along Hollybush Lane in Flamstead when he fell off his bike last August.

He was discovered seriously injured and was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital where he died later that day.

Mr Shore, who lived in Cowper Road in Markyate, was a keen cyclist and had built the bike he was riding that day. His daughter said that just before he left for the cycle ride, Mr Shore had repaired a loose chain on the bike.

Pc Alan John Kemp, who investigated the accident, said that the bike was

found to be in perfect condition although there was evidence to suggest that the rear wheel had locked up.

It is thought that Mr Shore's bike chain fell off after he pedalled over a manhole cover. The chain subsequently got tangled in the rear wheel, causing Mr Shore to be thrown off the bike.

Pc Kemp added that Mr Shore, who wasn't wearing a cycle helmet, might have been going as fast as 25mph because he was cycling downhill from Flamstead.

Coroner Edward Thomas recorded Mr Shore's death as accidental and extended his condolences to Mr Shore's widow, daughter and son: "It's a great tragedy and nothing I can say can make it any easier for the family. I'm really sorry for what happened.