BVAL Staff Help Blyth Youngsters Achieve the Gruelling Coast to Coast Bike Ride!

Young people from the borough began an active summer holiday by joining staff from Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure to complete a gruelling coast to coast cycle trip.

The group of 11 young people, two volunteer paramedics and Nicola Dodds, a development worker from Fairshares (the organisation that funded the project), was led by some of the staff from Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure’s Make-a-Move team.

The riders set off from Workington on the west coast on Tuesday 29 July and rode 140 miles over three days to finish at Tynemouth Priory on 31 July.

The cyclists, chosen based on their attendance at training sessions held in the run up to the ride, coped well with the weather, which ranged from thunder storms to searing heat. The group also spent two nights under canvas in Penrith and Alston along the route.

Tents and sleeping bags were supplied by Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure as well as cycle helmets and bikes to those who needed them. This is the third annual trip of its kind and this year the riders were the quickest group so far.

Tracey Morton, sports enabler for Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, said: “The 2008 coast to coast squad cycled at a great pace and were often ahead of schedule by almost two hours. The mental and physical demands of the ride never dampened the group’s spirits as they all gave 110 per cent throughout. They were a great group of young people to work with and never failed to amuse the staff with their witty comments. They should all feel very proud of themselves.”

In recognition of their achievements all cyclists attended a reception on Thursday 31 July at Seaton Sluice Community Centre, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blyth Valley, councillor Gordon Knox and his wife Heidi.