A Canvey man has told how he beat cancer and was among the first home in a gruelling 60-mile bike race.

Mark Rickenberg, of Harvest Road, underwent five tough months of treatment after being diagnosed as having testicular cancer last March.

Doctors gave the father-of-three the all clear in September.

Mark said: "Cycling was one of the ideas the doctors gave me to get fit. I'm doing all right now I'm out of hospital, but I will be in remission for five years.

"I had put on masses of weight with all the steroids I was taking for the treatment. Now I ride every day to work from Canvey to Basildon. I just enjoy cycling."

Mark came 15th out of 1,700 competitors, cycling from London's Victoria Park to Southend in just over three hours.

But he nearly had no bike to ride on, as it was stolen from his workplace in February.

The bike was never recovered but, after an Evening Echo story appealing for help, a replacement was found.

Mike said: "The bike was bought by my family so I could get myself fit again.

"I got it replaced thanks to an anonymous donation that came through the letter box and some help from the firm."

Together with his 16 other "Lust in Lycra" team mates, who all work at GE Power Systems, Crompton Close, Basildon, he raised £1,000 for cancer charity Search.

Road to recovery - Mark Rickenberg, centre, beat cancer and finished the bike ride to raise cash for cancer charity Search

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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