Cyclist completes 360 mile bike race with fractured pelvis (From Croydon Guardian)

Purley cyclist Novello Noades completes 360 mile bike race with fractured pelvis

9:00am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Andrew Bloss

Not many people could complete a gruelling 360 mile bike race with a fractured pelvis and the use of one leg - except for one Purley fundraiser.

Magistrate Novello Noades, who is also the wife of former Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades, took part in a five day charity cycle race despite being the victim of a hit and run accident three weeks before.

Mrs Noades, 54, was cycling to Camberwell Green Magistrates Court, on September 3 when a car smashed into her, knocking her off her bike and onto the road.

The culprit drove off without stopping to check on Mrs Noades, who had to be taken to hospital by the police, despite her insistence that she was fit to go to work.

Mrs Noades, who was training for Velindre Cancer Charity bike race, thought her hopes of competing in the event had been dashed by the accident.

She was unable to put any pressure on her right leg and her fractured pelvis caused her considerable pain.

But she surprised family, friends and doctors by flying out to California with her team and taking part in the race. She is still on crutches at the moment.

She said: "The race was exactly three weeks to the day after my accident, I was told there was no way I was going to be able to do it.

"I saw the surgeon ten days after the accident and he was amazed at how I was repairing as most people are still in hospital. He gave me the green light to fly out to America with the team, which was great.

She said: "I asked him if there was a chance I could cycle, he didn’t think I was being serious. He then said I couldn’t do any more harm to it, as a pelvis can’t be knocked out of place, it would just be painful.

"I did 45 miles on the first day. Nobody could believe it. The doctor that was there had never seen anything like it. I was coming of my bike and people were handing me my crutches again.

"I was delighted that I could take part, I was absolutely thrilled. Ron thought I was absolutely bonkers, but he knows I am a determined person."