Story by News Ltd.
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TO BYRON BAY locals he was a quiet man with an obsession for cycling and a keen eye for history.
But to his family, the late Col Hadwell was much more.
An amateur a poet, painter and ukulele player, the 70-year-old former Byron Shire Council town planner wasted no time in retirement with wife Anne Marie.
Having cycled across Germany twice and regularly ridden for charity down the east coast of Australia, Col had more than a decade’s experience on two wheels.
So police were left baffled when he was found critically injured on the side of Bangalow Rd about 12.30 pm on Monday while on a training session at Byron Bay that his family said he had ridden hundreds of times.
“We haven’t been told of the final reason … they’re debating over a pothole or whether a car was involved,” daughter Lara Hadwell said.
“(We are) shocked … (He was the) fittest 70-year-old you’ve ever seen. (Cycling) was an obsession. I think he had about 20 bikes.
“He’s done bike tours around Germany twice, he’s done New Zealand, he’s done I think every charity bike ride from Cairns south down to near Taree.”
Ms Hadwell, 31, said her family were “extremely” close and were heartbroken when her father died in hospital this week as a result of his injuries.
Yet, the devastated daughter said there was no doubt her father had left his legacy.
Sending all my love to Anne and family on the sad loss of Col -he will be sadly missed – RIP Col.
Col was one of the gentlest, sweetest men we’ve ever known.
Sending all our love to Anne, Matt, Aiden, Chris and Lara.
So sorry for your loss, Col was a great man and loved his family so much and he would do anything for anyone, rip Col fly high xx
One of the faces that brightened the day.
My hubby Rob and I are very devastated to hear the tragic news about Col,the only comfort we can glean is that he died doing something he was so passionate about.
we spent a few happy days with the delightful Col on his last charity ride from Nymboida to Ballina.The loveliest man you could meet, we planned to catch up soon, sadly this never eventuated.
RIP to one very special man.We will miss your presence on the road and in our hearts.