A motorcycle enthusiast from Rickmansworth died while he was on holiday with friends, after being “caught out” by a tragic combination of road conditions.

David Marchant, from Coombe Hill Road, suffered multiple traumatic injuries when he collided with a car on the N85, near Commune de Chataeuvieux, in the south of France.

An inquest into his death in Hatfield today heard how the 35-year-old had lost control of his Triumph 675 motorcycle, while negotiating a tight bend facing into a low sun.

In a tribute after his death, which occurred in June 2009, his parents said: “Our tears and loss are immeasurable, he will always be alive in our broken hearts.”

Mr Marchant, who was born in Croxley Green, and attended both Harvey Road and Durrants school, had settled in Rickmansworth with Lydia, his partner of 15 years.

He worked as senior manager for mobile phone company Orange and took part in many charitable and endurance sports events.

A black-belt in karate, he had cycled both the London to Brighton and London to Paris rides, as well as across the Pennines at Hadrians Wall.

He had also climbed most of the high peaks in the Peak and Lake District, and completed the three peaks challenge.

However, his passion was his motorbike, and he made a number of trips to the Nurburgring in Germany, the Swiss Alps, Italy and France, and was on such a trip with two friends when he died.

Coroner Graham Danbury recorded a verdict of accidental death and said: “There was nothing David could do to control the bike once it had started sliding.

“He was clearly an experience and knowledgeable rider, but he was caught out by a combination of this bend which got tighter and the low sun.

“This was clearly someone who was enjoying life and his family have a lot of happy memories.”