Pupils gear up for shot at Big Pedal national cycle challenge

The Big Pedal, set up by cycling organisation Sustrans, will see pupils competing against around 260,000 children from 800 schools across the country to try and win the title of the fastest school overall.

About 15 schools are taking part in Doncaster, including Bawtry Mayflower Primary in Station Road.

Pupils there donned their helmets yesterday and took to the road to try to give their school a chance at the ultimate prize of a day with an international cycling stunt team.

Tom Collister, Sustrans officer for Doncaster, said: “I’m really pleased with how many schools have signed up to the race.

“It will act as a great way for the whole school community to join together as they take on other schools from across the country.”

Starting yesterday and lasting for three weeks, the competition follows a similar format to the Tour de France.

Each day is a different time trial and, the more children, parents and teachers who cycle to school on each day, the quicker time the school is awarded for each stage.

The school with the lowest time overall in the whole country will then be declared the winner.