Vintage bikes dusted off for annual Colne Chopper Dash (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne Grand Prix

2:30pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Colne By Dan Clough, Reporter

A CHEERLEADER, a man in a Morph suit, Where's Wally, and a woman with a Union Jack mohican got on their bikes in the annual Colne Chopper Dash.

But it was sombrero-wearing Jimmy McFadyen, 34, of Colne, who crossed the line first in the two-lap race, part of the town's annual cycling Grand Prix.

Around 3,000 turned out to watch the spectacle, which saw riders on the ‘70s favourite two-wheeled toys ride around the town centre, as well as professional races.

Pendle Mayor Asjad Mahmood said: “It was great to be here. It’s good to see another big cycling event coming to Pendle.

“We have been blessed with the weather and a lot of people turned up to watch.

“With the event being on Sky TV, it also raises the profile of the borough.”

Jimmy, who has a son Jack, two, said: “I had a Chopper bike as a little lad. I bought one online about six months ago and I've been doing it up ever since.”

Fellow competitor Nina Bates, 40, from Nelson, said: “We are rasing money for the Air Ambulance so it’s Choppers raising money for choppers.

“It is good fun and they are such a good crowd.”

Before the race Scott Mc-Fadyen, 28, from Colne, who was dressed as Where’s Wally, said: “It is great. I did it last year. I am going to try riding with the costume’s glasses but I'll probably have to take them off. It is all for a good cause so I am happy to make a fool of myself.”

Dee McInnes, 45, of Burnley, said: “Going to the Chopper meets is one of the best things I have ever done. It is a really good way of meeting people.”