Veteran cyclist Brian Robinson badly injured after being knocked off his bike has had get well messages from around the world.
Brian, 83, the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour de France, has been inundated with more than 200 cards and letters.
Some have even found their way to his Mirfield home without an address.
One airmail letter, all the way from Australia, was simply sent to: “British Cycling Legend Brian Robinson, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, England.”
Brian, still a keen cyclist, was struck by a VW Passat in Lees Hall Road, Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, on July 16.
He was on his way home after a ride to Castleford with friends.
He suffered a fractured collarbone, six broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Skin was also stripped off his right arm, exposing the muscle.
Brian spent almost five days at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, but is now recovering at home.
“It’s just a matter of time now,” said Brian. “I am doing all right and these last three days I’ve improved a lot. I only get pain if I move around.
“The arm is doing well but I just need to make sure it doesn’t get infected.”
Brian said he was touched by all the cards and letters and said: “There must be over 200 but I’ve had so many I don’t know what to do with them all.
“It’s just wonderful and I want to say thank you to everyone.”
Brian, who won the Tour stage in 1958, was an ambassador when the great race came to Yorkshire earlier this month.
The build-up saw Brian find fame all over again and he said: “It’s like a dream, but a good dream, and it’s something I never expected. After all, it’s 60 bloody years!”
Brian now rides an electric bike and uses it with 30% power assistance.
Police are investigating the collision but Brian believes the car was doing a three-point turn in the road because of a no entry sign.
Brian said he was travelling at about 25mph while the car was manoeuvring at about 10mph.
“I don’t know what will happen with the police but it is my health that is most important,” he said. “You can’t buy that.”
Brian will tomorrow (Thurs) set riders off on a tribute ride to Meltham cycling champion John Radford, who is in rehabilitation after suffering a brain injury in a collision with a car in New Mill a year ago.
John, 70, chairman of Huddersfield Cyclists Touring Club, was campaigning for better investigation of collisions involving cyclists.
Brian can’t wait to get back on his bike and said: “It’s about getting exercise and being out in the fresh air.
“It’s not really about the cycling, it’s about going out with the lads and enjoying the coffee stops.”
The ride for John sets off from Huddersfield Railway Station at 6pm.
