Late British cyclist had passion for adventure

From climbing the peaks of the Andes to cave-diving in Mexico British expat and cyclist Joanna Banks, who was killed in an accident with chef Joe Brown, lived a life of passion and adventure.

A memorial service was held for Banks at All Saints' Anglican Church, Newtown, yesterday, while her funeral also took place in England.

Brown and Banks, 47, and a manager at bpTT, died on November 10 when a car crashed into them as they were cycling on the Beetham Highway with the Slipstream Cycling Club. The driver was later held by police.

At the memorial service, Banks' friend Becky Steen, in her eulogy, said Banks enjoyed adventurous activities like rock-climbing and scuba diving and since joining BP had visited a number of countries, including Vietnam, Australia, Azerbaijan, and the Galapagos Islands. She said Banks once went on a trip to a remote region of northwest India, and, as with many of her adventures, did not tell her parents until after the fact.

Steen said Banks' enthusiasm for cycling began in Bogota, Colombia and she also got into triathlons.

Banks moved to Trinidad last year and planned to take part in Carnival 2019. Steen also recalled Banks' enthusiasm for shopping, handbags and dresses.

"She was a very classy lady," she said.