With the end of National Bike Week for this year, groups promoting cycling as a valid and pleasurable means of transport can look back on a range of successes.

In the south of the county, the St. Florence School Five-Mile Challenge Ride was well and truly taken up by the pupils. With more than 40 riders, mostly the pupils, but with parents and three members of staff, including headmaster Gari Davies, they set off on a very dull, grey, rain-threatening afternoon ride.

First of all they toured the village before setting out on the Celtic Trail towards the turning point at West Jordanston Farm. Here they were met by the Rees family with lots of home-made cakes and orange squash to sustain the riders back to their school starting point.

Paul Rich, SUSTRANS ranger for the St. Florence section of the Celtic Trail, said that he continued to be impressed by the cycling enthusiasm of the young pupils of the village school... "Some of the bikes were really what I would call toy bikes with tiny wheels and outriders, but these youngsters, some only four years old or so, battled gamely on. Just wait until they grow up a bit more and get themselves onto proper bikes with 18 or 21 speeds."

The object of this ride was to publicise the National Cycle Network and also to raise money for the Noah's Ark Appeal, so sponsorship and raffle ticket selling was much in evidence.

SUSTRANS, the sustainable transport charity, donated a batch of bicycle bells which helped to swell the raffle prizes. The draw was made after the ride and during the barbecue which was ably put on as usual by Mrs. Brickle and helpers.

Some of the sponsorship money has still to come in, but it is hoped that there will be a suitable opportunity to make a presentation in the very near future of all the monies raised during the past few months by the St. Florence School. SUSTRANS has provided certificates and these will be presented to all who took part.

The second ride took place on the last day of National Bike Week and was a much longer one of 18 miles starting from Tenby. While only 11 riders started from here, the group included 10-year-old Mark Baugh, from St. Florence, and the Dunfee family, from Kilgetty, mum Delyth with Samantha aged 10, and David, eight.

As Paul Rich, SUSTRANS ranger, said: "The effort made by these youngsters reflects very creditably on themselves and also on their parents for the encouragement they have given. In contrast, the response in terms of support from Tenby youth organisations has been disappointing."

Nevertheless, when the ride reached St. Florence, the support from both the local school's older pupils and the St. Florence Youth Club showed just what can be done. In all, more than 30 riders aged between eight and over 70, and with very varying abilities and bikes, then proceeded along the Celtic Trail to Lamphey and back to St. Florence via Manorbier Newton. One rider even did this 10-mile loop on a single speed town shopper bike with quite small wheels.

As Paul Rich said: "This was quite a remarkable achievement for a woman who I know would freely admit to being fairly well-removed from her first flush of youth. Again, just think what she will be capable of, given a good bike with 21 speeds. Furthermore, it's worth noting that the mileage cycled brings Tenby and Saundersfoot within easy commuter, social, shopping range of St. Florence, and illustrates very clearly indeed what a cheap, convenient form of transport the bike is - and with no parking problems."

On return to St. Florence, a picnic was taken on the village playing field in glorious warm sunshine. In conclusion, it is a pleasure to report that Cancer Research UK, the charity nominated by SUSTRANS, benefited to the tune of £85 due to sponsorship of Karl Baugh's ride from many generous donations in the village and all the village pubs.