A WOMAN, who loved cycling, died when her bike collided with a lorry and a car, an inquest heard.

Fifty-four-year-old Denise Margiotta, from Park North, was cycling up Liddington Hill when a car knocked her off balance, as it passed. As a result, she swerved into the middle of the B4192 and collided with a lorry on the morning of January 7.

The WH Smith worker was described as a very positive person who left nothing to chance, by her mother Nora Margiotta.

Mrs Margiotta said in a statement at the inquest on Monday: “Denise loved the countryside and the National Trust.

“Her interest and love for cycling seemed to have started from being involved in fundraising.

“In recent years she had collected a number of bicycles. She always used to say ‘leave nothing to chance’. She had all the gear and was always looking after her bikes.”

Denise was cycling southeast on the B4192 above the M4 towards Aldbourne when the accident happened.

“She knew the route very well and was always extremely careful,” Mrs Margiotta’s statement said.

She also said Denise was wearing a florescent tabard and helmet and always made sure her bicycle was in good working order.

She was taken to the Great Western Hospital after the incident, which occurred at 8.50am and died at 2pm the same day.

Her parents, whom she lived with, worried when she had not returned by noon so rang the police and were told she had been involved in an accident.

Former fire officer Reginald Archer, of Liddington, who was driving the car involved in the collision – a Vauxhall Corsa – has been charged with careless driving the inquest heard.

The inquest also heard that professional driver Colin Stocking, of Reading, who was driving the lorry behind Mr Archer also faces a charge of careless driving.

The inquest heard how low sun made it difficult for the drivers to see the road and Mr Archers’ wing mirror was knocked off and was hanging by the cables after his car collided with Denise’s bicycle. PC Gavin Brewster, of the Northern Roads Policing Unit, said the witness statements from both drivers said they only saw Denise at the last possible moment.

Assistant deputy coroner David Ridley recorded a narrative verdict. He said as Denise crossed over the bridge above the M4 she was struck by the wing mirror of the Vauxhall Corsa.

“The driver was unable to see Denise because of the angle of the sun,” he said. “As a consequence of being struck by the wing mirror Denise lost control and swerved into the middle of the road.” She was then struck by the lorry, the court heard.

“As a result of the collision with the lorry she sustained injuries to her head,” said Mr Ridley. “I offer my sincere condolences on the loss of Denise in these circumstances.”