A man has completed a 36,279-mile around the world cycle ride in memory of his wife who was killed midway through the epic quest.
Devoted Tim Bridgman, 42, set off on the mammoth challenge with wife Sharon in 2012.
They started from Norway and cycled through Europe and Africa to raise cash for charity.
From there they went to the tip of South America, planning to head north through Central America and the USA.
But in April 2014 Sharon was tragically killed on the barren salt flats of Bolivia – hit by the only car the couple had seen all day.
Heartbroken Tim abandoned the adventure and returned home to Zeal Monachorum, Devon.
But he left his bike in South America and ten months later went back to complete the journey in honour of his 38 year-old wife.
He finally finished the remaining solo 15,000-mile leg last week, arriving in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
In total the couple raised £48,000 for ShelterBox which helps those made homeless by natural disaster and conflict.
Tim said: “It would have been incredible had Sharon been there to see it.
“Reaching the ocean was the end of one part of life and the start of a new part.
“I took a bottle of bubbly, but didn’t feel like jumping with joy.”
He added: “Sharon had every bit of strength I did and she should have been there too.
“The accident reminds you that you can lose all that in an instant.
“Mentally I needed to go back and finish what we started. I left my bike in Bolivia because I knew that I would be back.
“Often, I’d think: ‘Can I carry on?’ But I would think of Sharon and often the hardest times were most rewarding.”
