It was a letter she wrote to her champion cyclist husband after his death and yesterday it was read out at his funeral.

Reflecting the love and loss she felt for Jason MacIntyre, his widow Caroline wrote: "Well Jason, what can I say, what can I say about you and your bike? I remember seeing you in lycra for the first time and I couldn't stop laughing. But over the years I have to say you looked pretty damned good, especially when you put your British Champion's stripes on."

She ended the poignant note with the words: "Maybe, maybe when we meet again you might actually get me on a bike. Love you always."

The letter was read out at Duncansburgh Parish Church, Fort William, by the Rev Donald MacQuarrie. He said the letter would be going with MacIntyre. The kirk was packed. Almost 1000 attended.

Legendary cyclist Graeme Obree, representatives from Scottish Cycling, the sport's governing body and cycling clubs across the country joined friends and family to pay final tribute to 34-year-old MacIntyre who was killed last week when his bike was struck by a motor vehicle as he trained near Spean Bridge.

The church, which can seat 500, had standing room only as did its front lobby. The service was relayed to the church hall which was also packed, while still other mourners stood outside.

Bob Taylor from Glasgow, a lifelong cycling friend, also paid an emotional tribute to MacIntyre.

"Jason to us was a hero. We all search for a hero. To us in the cycling world he was our hero, our champion. To see him at full flight in his British Champion's jersey was awesome," he said.

Mr Taylor said MacIntyre had set himself difficult goals for 2008, not least selection for Beijing as part of the British Olympic team. "He had Scottish and British championships on his mind and obviously Olympic selection. It was to be a big year."

The Rev MacQuarrie paid tribute to MacIntyre's dedication to his family, Caroline and their nine-year-old twin daughters Morgan and Chloe. When Morgan was born with a kidney complaint, MacdIntyre had given up cycling to look after his family.

He said MacIntyre's two daughters had helped lift the despair of family and friends this last week.

"You know when tragedy comes adults begin to buckle, they feel lost and numb. Send in the children! They will never know how much they do for us big ones. And that's what these twins Chloe and Morgan have done for everybody who has come and gone through that house."

After the service the coffin was carried out of the church into the pouring rain to the sounds of Speechless by Mish Mash, one of the couple's favourite tunes.

Images of MacIntyre cycling in full flow flashed across a projection screen to the side of the altar as the congregation left. Outside the church notes from the family were attached to bouquets propped against the church wall.

A note from his two daughters was tied to a red bouquet spelling out the word dad. It read: "We are sorry you are not here, we miss you so much, you are our champion dad, love Chloe and Morgan." Another short note from Caroline was pinned to a heart-shaped bouquet. It read: "My darling Jason, I have loved every minute of being your wife. I just wish it could have been for so much longer.

"I cannot explain the pain I feel without you but I know you will ease that for me in time. I love you more than life itself, your wife Caroline."

After the service MacIntyre was buried at Kilmallie Cemetery near Fort William. The church collection yesterday was for Kidney Kids Scotland "a charity close to Jason's heart".