Cyclists take to roads for Rocques Pool charity ride

The charity event marked the end of Road Safety Week and was also held on World Day of

Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Riders set off from Grandes Rocques at about 10.30am and arrived at La Vallette bathing pools at about noon.

Charity director Allister Carey said he was pleased the riders were able to take part in sunshine.

‘There has been pretty adverse weather recently and it was quite bracing this morning, but it was lovely cycling conditions,’ he

said.

One of the main aims of the ride was raising awareness about road safety, but it was also a good fundraiser, with about £1,000 going towards the charity’s projects. That includes several initiatives in Tanzania, such as creating shallow wells and installing electricity in a health-care centre’s outpatient unit.

One of the cyclists was Grace Smith, who had her son, Beau, 4, on the back of her bike.

She said they were a one-car family, so she tried to make as many trips as she could by bicycle. She said one highlight of the ride was having a police

escort, which made the cycle

more relaxing.

‘It was a bit windy on the coast, but once we got around the north, it was lovely.’

It was quite windy also for Dylan the Jack Russell, who was riding in the front basket of Robin Matthews’ bicycle.

‘Dylan was wrapped in a cashmere scarf and he seems to really enjoy going for rides,’ Mr Matthews said.

‘We are going to have done about 15 miles of riding.’

PC James De La Mare from the Guernsey Police roads policing unit was there on his motorbike, helping to keep the riders safe.

He said road safety was very important.

'Everyone has the right to be on the road.’