If a hotel breakfast in Milton Keynes doesn’t spark images of impassioned debate, you’ve never started your day with Michael Bonney.
A mainstay at British mountain bike company, Orange, Michael is a passionate advocate for cycling and one of the nicest chaps you’ll meet in a day’s ride.
Orange has earned an enviable reputation in the world of mountain bikes, but Michael’s enjoyment from all forms of cycling was obvious as he showed photos on his i-Phone of the road loops he rides near his home in Penrith at the breakfast table.
One of Michael’s former employees told me today that Michael had suffered serious injuries while cycling.
A statement on Orange’s website reports that Michael had been hurt while participating in the Eden Valley Epic sportive last Sunday (March 3). It reads:
“On Sunday, Michael Bonney, the lynchpin in all that is Orange, had a terrible accident whilst road cycling during the Eden Valley Epic. No vehicles were involved.
“He was airlifted to Newcastle hospital where he remains in a very critical condition.
“As most of you will be aware, Michael is an extremely popular person with huge amount of friends, and its impossible to pass on this news individually. Linzi has already been inundated with best wishes and its impossible for her to reply individually, so as he is a big advocate to social media, and after speaking with Linzi, we will keep you up-to-date through our Facebook page.”
Our thoughts are with Michael and his family. We hope he’s able to channel his enormous passion for cycling into fighting his injuries and staging a full recovery.
If you want to show your support for Michael, you can do so on the Orange Mountain Bikes Facebook page.
