THE heartbroken daughter and granddaughter of a motorcyclist killed in a hit-and-run accident today made an emotional appeal for help to unravel the mystery behind his death.

Ralph Snowdon, 67, of Riccall, died when his bike collided with a large red sports bike on the B1257 Helmsley to Stokesley road on Saturday afternoon.

The driver of the other bike did not stop and North Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation to track him down.

Ralph, well-known for founding Snowlandia Boarding Kennels at Moreby, near Naburn, often rode with either his daughter, Mandy, 39, and granddaughter Danielle, 12, of Dringhouses, York, on the back of his bike. It was only by chance Danielle was not riding with him on Saturday.

"My dad was a careful, sensible driver," said Mandy. "I feel so lonely and so lost. I've lost the most important man in my life and I just feel robbed. I hope and pray that whoever it was on that bike has got a conscience and he comes forward."

Ralph was born and bred in Stillingfleet. He moved to Riccall to retire three years ago.

His granddaughter, Danielle Snowdon-Russell, said Ralph was a true inspiration.

"My granddad was the inspiration of my life and I will never be able to go on the back of his motorbike with him again, so please, please, if you know anything, call North Yorkshire Police."

Sergeant Neil Campbell, of North Yorkshire Police, said three bikers were travelling north towards Stokesley and overtook a blue VW Golf car before returning to their own side of the road at about 4.50pm on Saturday.

Ralph was then in collision with a red sports-type motorbike travelling in the opposite direction. It was ridden by a person wearing a dark blue or black helmet.

A second rider in the group of three was in collision with the VW Golf after the first incident and was taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

Yesterday, the family visited Helmsley to hand out flyers printed by North Yorkshire Police in the hope somebody might have information.

Sergeant Campbell said: "We have got a motorcyclist at large in the community who failed to stop and may have a damaged bike and more than likely has an injury to his left leg or left side of body.

"Anybody with suspicions about a rider who is suddenly not riding their bike anymore, or dealers or repairers who have any red sports bikes presented to them with collision damage should come forward and contact us.

"We will be at all large biker events handing out flyers and speaking to the motorcycle."

Susan Weston, part owner of Squires Milk Bar, which Mandy said was like Ralph's second home, said the biker community was in shock.

"We were only laughing and joking with Ralph on Wednesday night. Everybody here is so shocked.

"We will do everything we can to help."

Anyone with information should phone Sgt Campbell or Traffic Constable Andy Woodburn on 0845 60 60 247.

Danger of the B1257 'TT'

THE B1257 between Helmsley and Stokesley has been dubbed the "Helmsley TT" because of its winding roads and beautiful scenes.

There have been more than 60 motorcycle casualties on the road, which is revered on biker websites and forums, in the last six years.

Earlier this month, in a separate incident, two bikers were taken to hospital with serious head and chest injuries following another crash near Chop Gate.

Residents in Bilsdale joined together to create a pressure group - Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger (BAND) to highlight problems on the road. Their campaign was backed by celebrities including Patrick Stewart and Brian Blessed.

But motorcycle industry bosses claimed the campaign was "demonising" riders when the sport was facing problems from a "comparatively few irresponsible individuals".

This year, several riders have been killed and injured on the road, which runs through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. It has been the focus of a number of North Yorkshire Police bike safety campaign initiatives.

Updated: 10:17 Tuesday, May 31, 2005