John, Aged 12, Takes Up Cycling Club Challenge That Covers 65 Miles

Cycle

Slightly built John Hirst is only 12 – but with only determination to keep on going, he cycled the 65 miles round trip to Edwinstowe, Notts, with members of Conisbrough Ivanhoe Cycling Club.

The club had invited pupils at Mexborough Grammar School to join in the next Sunday cycle run. Three fifth formers decided to do so, and then John said he would go a long as well.

And their home at 74, Buckingham Road, Swinton, John’s mother, Mrs Pat Hurst said: “On the Sunday, he got up about six in the morning, got his own breakfast and made my husband and I a cup of tea, and then went to church.

“Afterwards he set off to Conisbrough to meet the club. He was on the road for 9.30”

The Youngest

John took up the story from there.

“I was the youngest there,” he said. “We split up into two parties, and set off. We got lost a little in Worksop, but we got there.”

Jen had never been to EdwinStowe before, and the thing that enthralled him most was the Major Oak.

John arrived home about 7.30 that evening. “When he got back he was tired out, and I had to put some stuff on his sunburn. Then he had 2 cups of sweet tea, and went in the bath. He was all right after a rest,” said Mrs Hurst.

John had never been much further than Thurnscoe on his cycle before, but, said Mrs Hurst, he is a very determined boy.

He has had a cycle almost since he could walk, and when he was very small he cycled from Swindon to Mexborough on his tricycle.

However, John does not plan to do it again. “I was tired out when I got back,” he said. I don’t plan do that again until I’m a little older.”

He still cycle school every day, though, and combines this with his other sport, swimming. He cycles from Mexborough Grammar School to Wath Baths whenever the weather is fine.

John’s four sisters, Mary (ten), Teresa (seven), Anne (six), and Ruth (one), or like pottering about on their cycles and tricycles.

However their father, Mr Georges, is not too keen, although Mrs Hurst used to cycle a lot.

“His father is Mme football,” said Mrs Hurst. “He is a keen Sheffield United fan.”