HE pedalled at 114mph to smash a British record and came away unscathed.

But Neil Campbell came a cropper when he hit a rather nasty pothole on a village road while he was out training.

Architect Mr Campbell had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his collarbone after the accident and the injury will impact on his bid to break the European and world land speed records.

Earlier this year, Mr Campbell set a new British and Commonwealth motor paced cycle land speed record, with the assistance of gaffer tape, knicker elastic and the exhaust mounting rubbers from a 1989 Ford Escort.

In the event competitors are towed by a car until they reach 90mph and are then released to see what speed they can accelerate to.

Mr Campbell, who is based in West Bergholt, said he wanted to thank the motorists who came to his aid.

He was training with VC Revolution Cycling Club and was on Bromley Road on his way back from Great Bentley to Colchester when the accident happened.

He said: “You do something which is potentially really dangerous and get away with it and then something like this happens. I wasn’t going that fast but there were a couple of potholes in the road.

“I hit the first one and it jarred my hand so much it loosened my grip.

“The second pothole finished me off. I went over the handlebars and a bit of a pile up followed with me at the bottom.

“I reckon I was only doing 20mph. I picked myself up and got myself to the side of the road but I don’t remember anything else.”

He added: “I’d like to thank some strangers who came to my help. A Land Rover driver parked across the carriageway to shield us whilst I was treated ,whilst another Land Rover driver took my bike 15 miles out of his way to a friend’s house. I didn’t have a chance to thank either driver but I would like to also thank VC Revolution members who really did look after me.

“I suppose it’s ironic I can ride at 114mph with no issues but can succumb to a pothole just like everyone else.”

Mr Campbell suffered cuts and bruises and a broken collarbone. He had to undergo an operation to reconstruct it with surgeons using a seven inch plate and nine screws to mend the break.

Mr Campbell also urged drivers to be careful near cyclists: “Cyclists are sensitive to road conditions. If a car had been closer when I came off it could have been much worse.”