Driver in Leamington goes out of the way to be a knight of the road

Simon Eddleston came a cropper when he hit a pothole on a moonless night while cycling back to Leamington on the B4115-Coventry to Warwick road, near Stoneleigh Abbey.

The damage was two flat tyres, a buckled wheel and he was not able to phone his wife for help because she couldn’t leave their young children.

He then faced a long walk to his home in Kenilworth Road, Leamington.

Simon said: “I found myself some five miles or more from home, alone and getting cold in the dark

“I realised I had no option, but to start walking,” said Simon, aged 42, who works on renewable energy systems for the Eon power company in Coventry and cycles the 20-mile round trip at least twice a week.

“There is no footpath on this road, so I looked a peculiar sight pushing my bike along the verges with my lights flashing forlornly.”

After walking for what seemed an age, a car pulled up and a young man jumped out of the passenger side and shouted across the road: “Are you alright mate?”

Simon said: “I told him I had a double blow out and a dented ego.

“He told me he was a fellow cyclist and with experience in the perils of potholes.

“His name was Pete and I think he was in his mid-20s. He said he worked in London and was back for the weekend

“I think his parents live in Ashow.

“Pete explained he could pick up a car from home that would fit me and my depleted bike. He said keep walking and he would find me on his return.”

Simon continued apace wondering why anyone would turn down the lure of a warm hearth and home on a chilly Friday night, return to pick him and the bike up and go miles out of his way for the drive to Leamington.

“However, 20 minutes later I saw a lone car come over the horizon and flash his full beam – it was Pete.

“He was as good as his word. He was my saviour.

“As we were driving to Leamington I said ‘I think this is karma.’

“And he said ‘Yes, I think it is.’ He was my night in shining armour. Not many would do that.”

Despite going out of his way, Pete turned down all offers of help to cover his expenses and only asked for one favour in return.

Simon said: “He left me with a request: ‘It’s your mission to save another cyclist in distress’.

“Pete, you are a hero. Thank you and I gladly accept your challenge.

“I hope if Pete reads this, or his parents see it, he will see how grateful I am.”