A MUCH-loved outdoor enthusiast died while cycling to work in an accident on a notorious South Lakeland road.

Lifelong Kendalian Geoff Davis, 51, died on the A590 at Levens on Tuesday while on his way to Backbarrow.

Police are at the early stages of an investigation into an accident which also involved two Volkswagens, a Passat and a Golf.

Mr Davis, of Windermere Road, was airlifted to Royal Lancaster Infirmary where he later died.

His wife Heather led tributes to her husband, who was also a well-known religious figure.

“Geoff was a passionate man – he loved the Lord Jesus, adored his family and was a committed cyclist`,” she said.

“He was a devoted husband of 30 years and my best friend. We will treasure every memory.”

John Barker, a director of George Barker & Sons garden furniture manufacturer and seller in Backbarrow, where Mr Davis worked, said: “We heard on the radio there had been an accident and that the road had been shut.

"Then we got a phone call saying what had happened.

“He was a great bloke – very loyal and he was a good friend rather than an employee.

“Everybody held him in high regard and he was the sort of character that everybody got along with.”

He worked at the family business as an administrator and delivered garden furniture to customers for 11 years.

Mr Davis was also an elder at the Parr Street Evangelical Church, Kendal.

As well as being a chief organiser of events at the group, he helped counsel people with problems they faced.

He also led the Sunday School for many years and was a talented wedding photographer.

“Everybody at the church is devastated and we are all numb with shock. We have all lost a good friend. "Everyone loved him,” said pastor Brian Maiden.

Mr Davis was keen on outdoor activities. He cycled, canoed and ran on the fells and he was a member of Lakes Gospel Choir.

Rebeka Crawley, who was friends with Mr Davis for 24 years, said: “They were one of the first couples to make me feel welcome at their church, having arrived in Kendal after living in the jungles of West Papua, Indonesia, for 17 years.

“Geoff always had time to chat with you. Many a time we would have great conversations about his travels as a lorry driver.”

The A590 eastbound was shut for five-and-a-half hours from 7am on Tuesday as officers conducted their investigation.

Mr Davis also leaves father Ken, three children Kerry, Cathy and Matthew, and a grandchild.