HUNDREDS of people cycled across the Hampshire Downs at an inaugural bike-riding event.

The first Whitchurch Primary Pedal was held on May 18, when more than 220 adults and 30 children cycled routes of between 20 and 60 miles across the Hampshire Downs to the north of the Bourne Valley.

The event was designed to showcase the outstanding natural beauty of the area and to challenge the riders over some of the south-east of England’s highest hills.

Sponsored by Newbury Building Society, the event was organised by Test Valley Cycling Club and hosted by Whitchurch Primary School, in Daniel Road, with both benefiting from the funds raised.

Mike Stead, from Whit-church, who is a member of Test Valley Cycling Club, said: “We are absolutely rapt with how it went.

“The weather was perfect, the volunteers were amazing, and the riders were so generous with their praise.

“There were no injuries, only a few minor ‘geographical embarrassments’, and we even got the amount of cake just right – it was very popular.

“There’s a group of parents going to start cycling twice a week, having rediscovered how nice exploring on two wheels can be.

“We couldn’t have hoped for more.”

Zoe Newton, deputy headteacher at Whitchurch Primary School, added: “The event went extremely well.”