A classic car restorer had a 'romance of rust' in renovating a vintage bike for a dirt track race in Italy.
Lance McCormack, 48, spent a year restoring the classic lightweight bike to take part in the annual L'eroica, or Heros race in Chianti.
The keen cyclist who lives in St Helens Road, West Ealing travelled to Italy with his friend, Johnny Clark who restored his recently deceased father's vintage bike for the 75km race.
Mr McCormack said he lost hope in finding an old bike and thought he was going to have to build one from scratch.
The classic car restorer said: "I was going to build one that looked vintage until I found the Newton lightweight bespoke British machine from 1954 which I bought for £40.
"I spent a year restoring it, buying parts from the internet but I wanted to keep the seat and frame for originality.
"I had never done such a gruelling race and unfortunately, I put the wrong gears on the bike which made it very difficult climbing the hills."
More than 3,000 people took part in either the 75km, 130km or 205km race on the Strade Bianchi Tuscan white dirt road last week.
The cyclists climbed to 3,500ft and Mr McCormack completed the 130km track in 10 hours with three stop off points.
Mr McCormack said: "I learnt Italian for the event and had fun with all the 'rustic lads'.
"Without my Italian pals I don't think I could have got all the way round as physically it was the hardest thing I have ever done.
"I hope to do the 205km race next October as I was delighted to still be alive after the 10 hour bike ride."
