AN Appletreewick innkeeper is calling time after 21 years to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional mountain biker.

And regulars at the New Inn will be toasting landlord John Pitchers after his incredible triumph over adversity.

The 47-year-old has witnessed many changes over the years at his picturesque Dales pub, from smoking bans to drinking trends.

But the biggest reversal has been his amazing fight back from horrific injuries.

Mr Pitchers had been happily running his Dales pub and building up a national reputation as a formidable endurance rider when his life was turned upside down in 1999.

He suffered leg injuries and brain damage when a car ploughed into him during a training ride.

Witnesses said he was hurled 15 feet into the air and was lucky to escape alive.

He battled to overcome his physical injuries, but as they healed it became evident he had suffered brain damage.

His life entered a dark period as his brain struggled to process more than a few tasks at once.

Mr Pitchers said: "Because of my injury, I couldn't accommodate background information."

He likened the injury to being deaf and said he often missed the point of conversations while behind the bar.

Mr Pitchers explained how a customer helped: "Over the bar a regular suggested I try Omega 3 and 6 supplements."

They worked and now he is training hard to become one of the nation's leading endurance event cyclists.

Mr Pitchers added: "Until four years ago the specialists gave me no hope of riding or getting back my driving licence."

The New Inn is renowned throughout Britain as a base for mountain biking and Mr Pitchers wants to promote the sport further within the national park from his mountain bike livery business behind the pub.

He described his regulars as the pub's "crown jewels".

And he added: "Through very trying parts of my life, the support I have had from them is incredible. I have ended up with the finest set of regulars I could have wished for."

Mr Pitchers said he had built up scores of close friendships since he took over the pub as a 26-year-old.

"They have been like an extended family," he said.

He added that he had been lucky to work with a great team of staff during two decades behind the bar.

A farewell party will be held next Sunday, March 25 - 21 years to the day after Mr Pitchers first took over the pub.

Although originally from North Staffordshire, he has strong family ties to Appletreewick as his grandfather used to sup pints at the New Inn.

He has seen many changes over the years, but one trend is about to turn full circle when new smoking laws come into effect in July.

When he took over the Dales pub, it was the only non-smoking establishment for miles around and had been for 15 years.

As many residents were choosing to drink elsewhere he lifted the ban to get the regulars back in.

He said: "It must be one of the few pubs that is going non-smoking twice. It is ironic it has come full circle."

During his tenure, the pub has been awarded 20 consecutive entries in the Good Beer Guide.

Drinkers at the New Inn had feared the pub would fall into the hands of a brewery and lose its character.

But new owners, Phil and Carroll Smith, saved it from going into the hands of a commercial chain at the 11th hour.

They start their tenure on Monday March 26.

Mr Pitchers said: "I am ready for a change. The inn deserves a couple to drive it forward."