KEEN cyclists are motoring their way across the country thanks to the backing of a leading car dealership.
Young riders from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science got off to a flying start, on their coast to coast cycle challenge, with the donation of a back up support vehicle provided free of charge by Vauxhall dealer Sherwoods of Darlington.
The team of seven students, and two staff members, set off on their 140 mile, three day, epic journey, on July 6, with the sign written vehicle in tow containing food, drinks, equipment and a spare road cycle.
DSMS PE teacher Michael Hillary who accompanied the riders on their journey said: “This is the first time that DSMS have embarked on a bike challenge of this sort and without the help of Sherwood, in providing us with a magnificent personalised support vehicle; I think that we would have really struggled to get the whole thing off the ground.
“Cycling is a relatively new sport that has been introduced at DSMS over the past few months but already we have a keen team of young riders who were really up for the challenge.
“We did a few warm up sessions in preparation for the coast to coast but it is a tough ride for the students.”
Mentored by Darlington Borough Council Local Motion cycle officer Kevin Kilcullen, the students rode for six hours each day, covering on average 45 miles with overnight stops at Penrith and Alston.
“Its great to see how the students have progressed since we started working with them in October last year,” said Kevin.
“We’ve taken seven novice riders, who are perhaps students that wouldn’t necessarily represent the school in other sports, and watched them grow into strong confident cyclists.”
Managing director of Sherwoods Alasdair MacConachie, who handed over the keys for the support vehicle to Mr Hillary, added: “Sherwoods was only too delighted to be able to help when we heard that DSMS needed a vehicle to transport the supplies for their coast to coast challenge.
“It is very important to me personally that as a business community we do what we can to help the young people in our town and support our local schools.
“DSMS is a wonderful establishment and I am looking forward to working closely with them again in the future.”
