A CYCLING centenarian is celebrating the imminent Tour de Yorkshire after a lifelong love of the sport.

Stanley Chadwick, known as Stan, has been riding a bike since the age of 11, and has never owned a car.

His lifelong passion for the pastime began in earnest when he joined Scarborough-based Eagle Touring Club at the age of 16 and enrolled with the Scarborough and District Cycling Club the following year.

Although he recalls that he has “only been a medium rider all his life” and “was never a star or anything like that", Stan actively raced until well into his eighties and enjoyed his last social ride at the age of 90.

He has also been an avid reader of all cycling publications, newspapers, sports reports and books, keeping up-to-date with all the modern trends and developments in the sport, although for someone who worked in engineering for a lot of his life, he admits: “I can’t quite get my head around carbon fibre.”

He is the co-founder of Scarborough Paragon Cycling Club, which he set up in 1953 with two friends, Len Raine and Ken Atkins.

Len and Ken are no longer around to share in the success of the club, but Stan remains very much involved as its Honorary Life President and only surviving founder member.

Indeed, friends and members of Scarborough Paragon Cycling Club say Stan has contributed an enormous amount to the club throughout the years, encouraging and inspiring other members through his knowledge of the sport, humour and wisdom.

Stan will mark this year's Tour de Yorkshire by cycling along North Bay, crossing what will be the finish line of Stage Three of this year’s Tour in the process.

He was guest of honour of Scarborough and Ryedale Community Cycling, an active local organisation which provides cycling opportunities for everyone, including those with mobility issues.

Stan was joined on the ride by a host of other cycling enthusiasts, eager to show that the pleasures of cycling shouldn’t be limited to the able-bodied.

A great supporter of Tour de Yorkshire, Stan sat outside his nursing home with a cup of tea waving his Tour de Yorkshire banner last year as the riders raced past.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “Stan is a truly remarkable man who has lived an equally remarkable life. He embodies the spirit of the Tour de Yorkshire and is a great example of how cycling can enrich people’s lives.

"He is an inspiration to us all.”