Experienced rider Mr Paul Brabazon (36) died after being thrown from his bike shortly after overtaking a minibus in Burnley Road, Cliviger, on June 27th last year.

An inquest at Burnley Coroner's Court heard how Mr Brabazon, of George Street, Rochdale, was a careful and accomplished motorcyclist who had been riding since he was 17.

The engineer had decided to join the ride to Durham with a group setting off from Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, but was only planning to ride to a cafe near Skipton as his wife Emma was soon to give birth.

Emma's brother, Mr John Dodrill, said: "Paul was a big family man who was a very responsible and experienced rider. He had a top-of-the range bike and safety equipment.

"He was a happy go lucky person who was physically fit and enjoyed martial arts as well as riding. Paul had been married to my sister for three years and was looking forward to the birth of their first child."

Incident investigation officer PC Richard Harrison said the road conditions and weather were dry and fine on the day. He said he believed Mr Brabazon did not have enough time or distance to reduce his speed before taking a bend.

The pathologist, Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud, who carried out the post-mortem, gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and said there were no substances in his system.

Recording a narrative verdict, East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor said: "Maybe Mr Brabazon's mind was elsewhere at the time of the accident, and he sadly did not have enough time to slow down to take the bend."