Education outside the classroom, spending the day on their bikes was the ‘goat’ (greatest of all time) according to local school pupils. 

Four hundred and twenty primary school children enjoyed the annual ‘Top Bike’ event run by Sport Central and Cycling Southland in Alexandra yesterday.

The day's activities included a mountain bike team time trial, a challenging skills course and a 400m grass track race. 

Watch a short highlights video, with obstacles, cheering and headstands from the morning session (40 seconds) VIDEO: The Central App

Cycling Southland development manager Marc Prutton gave the pupils a briefing at 9.45am. PHOTO: The Central App

Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Ben Hamilton said teamwork was a key theme of the day.

Children in Years 5 to 8 from primary schools in Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka all took part in the event.

Alexandra Primary School Year 7 and 8 team ‘The Wheelies’ were pumped at the start line of the time trial. PHOTO: The Central App 

The Terrace School Year 5 pupil Alia Watson manoeuvred confidently on the obstacles. PHOTO: The Central App 

Cromwell Primary School ‘Carrick team’ pupils in year five were (from left) Isla Reid, Violet Casey, Jackson Hegan, Angus Morris, Tom Graham and Georgia Dickey. PHOTO: The Central App 

Mount Aspiring College (MAC) pupil Hallie Lovelock (11) crossed the finish line with a big smile. PHOTO: The Central App 

Queenstown Primary School pupil Charlie Bowey (11) travelled over the see saw easily but said the circle was tricky to negotiate in the skills course. 

Mount Aspiring College Year 7 pupils said the roots on the sandy mountain bike course were fun to ride over, and the course was more challenging and interesting than last year. 

Year 5 pupils Ayla Wild and Layla Wilson, of the Terrace School, said they loved the music, the ramps and how friendly all the marshalls and organisers were. 

Central schools which fielded teams (made up of six boys and girls) were Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School, Omakau School, Cromwell Primary School, Cromwell College, Poolburn School, Goldfields School, and Roxburgh Area School.

Cromwell College Year 7 and 8 team gearing up for the team ride on the sandy track were (from left) Bella Hore, Beau Brown, Amelia Bragg, Harry Simpson, Brynn Sutherland and Freddie Marcus (all 12 years old). PHOTO: The Central App 

Lots of parent volunteers and teachers from the schools contributed to the day running smoothly. 

Alexandra District Lions Club provided a barbecue, and an ice cream and coffee van kept participants and parents hydrated and fueled. 

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