Bike fall fails to stop Tony, 70

Tony Dicker before and after having his beard and hair shaved

Tony Dicker raised more cash by having his beard and hair shaved off

A 70-year-old fundraiser completed a gruelling two-week motorcycle challenge in India despite a fall which left him with a hand injury.

Tony Dicker, from Cardiff, jumped on a bike for the first time in decades to take part in the Enduro India ride.

Mr Dicker badly sprained a thumb after a fall but was soon back in the saddle of his Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle.

He even had his hair and beard shaved off during the 1,200-mile challenge to raise extra funds for a cancer charity.

Mr Dicker's wife Anne died from the disease in 2003 so Cancer Care Cymru was one of the charities that benefited from his journey.

The Enduro India runs from Goa to Cochin in the south of the country and features mountains, cities, tea plantations, national parks and even a wildlife sanctuary.

It's just a wonderful, wonderful experience

Tony Dicker

Temperatures can reach 32C (90F) and sections of the ride are extremely difficult with numerous hairpin bends.

The demanding route means many participants suffer at least one fall and Mr Dicker was no exception.

"I hit some sand on a corner and I think my front wheel skidded. I was taken for an X-ray the next day but it was just badly sprained," he said.

Mr Dicker was given a splint and, although the injury meant missing a section of the ride, he was soon back on the road.

He said the event was a fantastic experience, and he particularly enjoyed the warmth of the Indian people.

"I had never been to India before and I found it fascinating. The people were just wonderful," he said.

"Looking at the people and their way of life and the wonderful friendliness we experienced everywhere, it changed me.

"I would say the vast majority of people in India have far less than people in the western world, but the vast majority of Indians are far happier than people in Britain that want, want, want."

Distinctive beard

Mr Dicker raised �4,500 for Cancer Care Cymru and �2,000 for the event's four charities, but he unexpectedly raised even more cash during the celebration dinner on the final evening.

One of the marshals asked Mr Dicker if he had thought about having his distinctive beard shaved off for charity.

"He said 'how much do you want' and I said 'about �150 or �200'," said Mr Dicker.

"He asked about my hair too, which had taken me about three years to grow - it was below my shoulders - and I said 'about �500'."

The shaving of his hair and beard eventually raised about �2,000 at the dinner as fellow riders pitched in with cash.

Mr Dicker, who stayed in India for a further two weeks after the ride with his partner Jan Ward, said he loved the country so much, he wanted to return.

"It's just a wonderful, wonderful experience. I plan to go back in 2011 with Jan but not to ride the bike this time!" he said.