WHETHER they were new to training wheels or were seasoned triathletes, students from across the age groups have come together for The Armidale School’s annual Junior School Bike Day and Triathlon.
The boys and girls from transition to Year 5 brought their bikes, helmets and enthusiasm and gained practical skills, assisted by staff and triathletes from the senior school.
Safe-braking, jumps, obstacles, road rules, emergency stopping and riding over “bridges” across Black Gully, that runs through the TAS campus, were popular activities.
After lunch, all students took part in a triathlon, either in teams (from kindergarten) or individually (from Year 2).
The distances ranged from a 25 mete swim, a 200m ride and 200m run for the youngest competitors, to 75m/400m/400m for Years 4 and 5.
The swim section was held in the TAS pool and the cycle and run legs were held on the adjacent Wakefield.
Year 5 student Miller Harwood was awarded the Sarah Heagney Memorial Shield for winning the senior individual triathlon.
he head of the junior school, Ian Lloyd, said the focus of the day was fun, safety and trying new things – more than about competition.
“By its very nature, there were students whose skills ranged from absolute beginners, to those who are skilled cyclists,” he said.
“The common factor, though, was that everyone took part and had fun, with many also feeling a sense of accomplishment for having a go and succeeding at something they may not have, at first, been comfortable with the thought of doing.”
