My bike survived 6,000-mile trip – now it’s been stolen outside my house

4:12pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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By Sian Davies »

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HE rode through 13 countries, conquering rough terrain and negotiating dangerous territories in a bid to raise thousands for charity.

But the bike on which Jonathan Coppack made his epic journey has now been stolen - from outside his own back door in Hampshire.

The touring bike was taken by a thief who used bolt cutters to prise the £700 machine from its locks.

Despite being well equipped for the job, the thief failed to spot the CCTV cameras trained on the bike so the crime was captured on film.

Mr Coppack is now appealing for help finding his precious bike, which took him safely along the length of South America four years ago, helping him and two friends raise £10,000 for charity.

He said: "It is one of my most treasured possessions. It had stickers all over it from all of the countries we passed through on the charity ride. I am really upset about having it stolen.

"Although it was worth about £700 it is the sentimental value really, I just want it back."

The footage shows the thief driving up in a distinctive white van before returning with bolt cutters to steal the Giant Expedition bike from the grounds of the Lord Nelson pub in Hythe, above which Mr Coppack, 32, lives with his family.

"I thought it would be okay - it was locked up and the wheels were locked and the CCTV was on it but obviously he really wanted to steal it.

"All I have left is the pump and a water bottle."

Mr Coppack, a dad-of-one, rode 6,000 miles in six months from Patagonia to Venezuela in aid of the Plan International charity which helps developing countries build vital infrastructure.

On the trip he dodged guerrilla groups in Ecuador, drug runners in Columbia and avoided gun totting bandits as the group made its way through Paraguay.

"We were quite lucky really but there were a few times when we were potentially in a lot of danger. I can't believe we did all that and the bike gets stolen in Hythe.

"The bad thing was I was riding the bike recently as my car got broken into while it was parked in a car park," added Mr Coppack, a self-employed electrician.

Hampshire police confirmed that they are investigating the theft, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and urged any witnesses who were in the area at about 4am to come forward.

Mr Coppack said: "To be honest I don't really care who took it I just want the bike back."