The 61-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack near Goulburn while riding with students and members of the school community.

On Monday, grief counselling was made available to students, staff and families attached to the school’s Cordeaux campus, where Mr Best had taught since 2007. In a statement, Principal Simon Lainson said the school was grieving.

‘‘Mr Best was a faithful and dedicated teacher who died doing something he loved – riding his bike, supporting young people and raising money for the spread of the gospel,’’ he said. 

‘‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. The school is providing counselling support to staff, students and families as required.’’

Mr Best lived in Engadine and taught pastoral care to year 7, on top of his science duties. 

A former student, Steph Shoard, took to social media to praise her old biology teacher who, years after her graduation, would ‘‘greet us with a massive hug’’.

‘‘As teenagers, you’re trained to despise your teachers; this couldn’t be further from the truth,’’ Ms Shoard wrote. 

‘‘This man was nothing short of a legend. 

‘‘Rigging experiments to blow up just to get our attention was a favourite trick, Mr Best had such a positive impact on our school, and on every student he ever taught.’’

The three-day Bike for Bibles ride was aimed at raising money for a literacy program for abused women in Pakistan. 

Mr Best was leading the event for the eighth year and was the most successful individual fund-raiser taking part, pledging $1020 before the group set out on Saturday morning.

He collapsed that afternoon while riding just south of Goulburn, and could not be revived. 

The cause of his death has yet to be confirmed by an autopsy.