More than 300 people took part in a memorial cycle ride on Saturday to remember two friends who died in a car accident on the A65 near Settle.

A special tribute to the “rising stars” of downhill mountain bike racing, written by world champion racer Steve Pete, was read out by the editor of Singletrack magazine.

The event was held in memory of Ben Ineson, from Selside, and Tom Rodgers, from Langcliffe, who died on January 14. The pair, aged just 18 and 21, were good friends and their deaths have left a huge gap within the world of downhill racing.

To honour the duo, a special ride and evening function at Knight Stainforth Caravan Park was organised to raise money for a memorial fund.

The ride, which set off from Langcliffe village green and took in the Settle Loop – part of the Pennine Bridleway – had been initiated by All Terrain Cycles, formerly of Cross Hills and now of Saltaire, where the two friends worked. Settle Festival representatives also helped organise the event, which is expected to become an annual fixture.

Tom’s younger brother, Ben, also a keen cyclist, began proceedings with a call for two minutes of noise. Friends and local cyclists took along air horns, fireworks, bells and whistles and these were accompanied by shouts, clapping and cheering.

“It was a very touching tribute,” said Mark Dale, one of the organisers.

“The route was slightly damp and, along with the wind and the landscape, this provided an exhilarating ride. Thanks go to all who attended, the organisers, Knight Stainforth for putting on the ‘bash’ afterwards and Langcliffe village for hosting the start.”

Around £5,000 was raised for the memorial fund through a collection as well as the entrance admission, raffle, auction and bar takings at Knight Stainforth.

The money will go towards promoting downhill mountain bike racing at national and local level and providing prizes and cups for a special downhill race, which is expected to be organised through the Scottish Downhill Association in which both men had been active. There is also likely to be a special event dedicated to the pair at the annual Settle Cycling and Community Festival at which both friends had helped out last year.

This festival is also expected to include a ride dedicated to Langcliffe cyclist Stuart Holdsworth, a Settle Cycling Festival stalwart and founder member of the Settle-based World Wide Wheelers Club, who died in an accident near Giggleswick in October.

Donations to the memorial fund can be made at the website memorialride.co.uk or by post to Tom Rodgers and Ben Ineson Memorial Fund, c/o All Terrain Cycles, Shed 48, Salts Mill, Saltaire, West Yorkshire BD18 3LA.