Happy ending for American couple who had their bike stolen in Bristol - days before a world championship race

In November 2021, Rich Sweeney and his wife, Maureen, were visiting the UK from the United States.

The couple, from Colorado, stopped off in Bristol ahead of the Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships.

However, on the third day of their visit, Rich’s bike was stolen from outside St. Nicholas Market.

The stolen bike wasn’t just Rich’s, but was also set to be Maureen’s spare for her upcoming world championships race.

The lucky couple met a man called Stuart Price who lent Maureen a bike - and offered out his van to sit in pre-race so that she could still compete.

Maureen came in the top 20 for the Women’s 55 Plus race.

And she was the first in her 70-74 age category to finish the race at the Masters CycloCross World Championships 2021 in Ipswich.

As they were about to board the flight home, they recived a call.

The bike had been found.

The Avon and Somerset police had tracked the bike on CCTV from the moment it was stolen - they were then able to locate the thief, and got the bike back fromthe culprit in perfect condition.

However, it was just too late and the couple from Colorado flew home without the bike.

This story brought the cycling community of Bristol together - and bike shipping service, BikeFlights, agreed to ship the bike back to the states, first class.

Ali from BW Cycling in Bristol packed the bike into a box, with a tracker, so that it would be back with its rightful owners in time for Christmas.

Rich said: “We’re bringing sturdier locks in May when we cycle in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Keeping our fingers crossed.

“Hats off to the Avon and Somerset police as well as the UK cycling social network.”