AN endurance athlete helped launch this year’s On Your Bike challenge by telling children they can achieve anything they want.

The seventh event, which is sponsored by the Standard, will take place on Sunday, April 28 at Sonning Common Primary School.

It is open to families and the wider community with a range of courses catering for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Proceeds will be donated to the school and the Sue Ryder hospice at Nettlebed.

Fay Dellimore, who has taken part in nine ironman triathlons and has swum the English Channel, cycled into the school hall in her signature pink cycling gear on Tuesday.

She said: “I want to encourage children and families to get on their bikes and do the ride. It’s a good way to get people active.

“It’s very important to instill into kids from an early age that they can do anything that they set their mind to. They need to work as everything you do requires preparation but if you really put your all into it then you will achieve. It may be that it doesn’t happen immediately — I made the decision to swim the Channel when I was 10 but was in my forties when I did it.”

The children watched a documentary film about Dick Hoyt and his son Rick, who has cerebral palsy, who together have completed more than 1,000 endurance events.

Ms Dellimore said: “My message to the children is to aim high and not be put off by the idea that something is too hard. On Your Bike is a great opportunity to get out there and cycle a distance that many children would say ‘no way’ to.”

Participants can choose to ride six, 12 or 20 miles. There is also a supervised playground cycle for younger children and On Your Feet treasure hunt walks of between one and three miles around Sonning Common.

On Your Bike organiser Penny Snowden said: “It’s a ride, not a race, so people of all ages and abilities can take part. It’s about encouraging more families to enjoy healthy activities together.”

People who register before 9pm on April 18 will be entered into a free draw to win a bike donated by Ms Dellimore’s sponsor A W Cycles, of Henley Road, Caversham.

Published 03/03/13