Bikers of all ages and abilities got in the saddle for Les Bourgs Hospice. L-R: Jack Reed, 5, Sam Reed, 8 and Alex Scholes, 9. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0800146)

THE roads were filled with cyclists as hundreds of islanders pedalled for charity yesterday.

The Rocques to Rock ride and the 30/30 challenge saw bikers of all ages and abilities get in the saddle for Les Bourgs Hospice.

Velo Club member 10-year-old Rhys Henry, who was kitting up at North Beach, said he was ready for the big push and would try to go further this year than ever before.

‘The Val des Terres is the hardest bit and I have always walked and pushed my bike up it in the past, but today I am going to try to ride the whole way,’ he said.

An annual Rocques to Rock participant, he said there was a secret to completing it.

‘It can get tiring, but I stop and have ice cream whenever I can.’

Julie Boatman, 39, had been waiting for the day for ages, and said it marked an achievement for her.

‘Two years ago I was badly injured when I was knocked off my bicycle by a car, which meant I couldn’t do this ride last year, even though I really wanted to,’ she said.

‘But I have worked at it and now I am fighting fit so I will do it this time.’