June news

Young riders' fun at Cycle Challenge

Sixty school children competed in this year's Portsmouth Schools Cycle Challenge, a competition designed to boost pupils' skills and confidence on their bikes.

The children, from seven city secondary schools, improved their cycling abilities with the help of talks, races and obstacle courses.

Stunt mountain biker RJ Ride Guide, a former British champ, treated them to an hour of stunts, tricks and tips on how to cycle safely and stay healthy and fit.

A team from Mayville High School were overall winners of the event, which was held by Portsmouth City Council at the Mountbatten Centre. They were awarded light sets.

The individual winner was Etienne Magness from Portsmouth Grammar School, who won a bike, plus a helmet, lights, and a lock.

City of Portsmouth Girls' School put on an impressive performance in a fun "bling your bike" event, with one of their students, Sophie Andrews, emerging as winner.

Nicola Waight, the council's road safety co-ordinator, said: "It was a great success. All the pupils had a great time and picked up a lot of useful tips about staying safe on a bike."

Date : 20 June 2008