Resident dies on charity cycling tour

Dubai: A UAE-resident has died on a charity cycling trip in Thailand.

Peter Graves, originally from South Africa, suffered a heart attack while taking a nap after a day's riding. His wife found him dead in Pattaya, 165km southeast of Bangkok, on the penultimate day of the event.

The 64-year-old was part of a cycling tour raising money for the Dubai-based Little Wings Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing medical assistance to children living in the Middle East and North Africa with musculoskeletal deformities.

Graves leaves behind his wife Jane and daughter Kim.

Wolfgang Hohmann, General Manager of Wolfi's Bike Shop on Shaikh Zayed Road, told Gulf News on Sunnday that Dubai's cycling community had lost a true friend.

He said: "I rode the last hour alongside him on the day he died. We were taking it easy and had a really good chat. He seemed really comfortable; I think it was just his time."

"When we got back, he took a shower and then went for a quick 30 minute nap, he never woke up. He died peacefully while surrounded by his friends and family and he wouldn't want us to be sad. He was a great role model and his spirit will live on."

Hundreds of people have posted messages on a tribute page set up on the Dubai Roadsters website in memory of Graves' life, at www.dubairoadsters.com/peter_graves.html.

A commemorative event is being held at the Movenpick Hotel in Bur Dubai on Thursday at 7.30pm. Dubai Roadsters hopes everyone who knew Graves will join them to commemorate his life and remember his spirit.