Edward blue helmet green jacket checks blue bicycle beside Lily white helmet orange jacket and red bicycle at charity cycle start inside enclosed park. Coach Mr Lowe nearby, cone-marked route, small repair tent distant. All bicycles stationary, no roads or cars.

Edward’s Cycle Race

School Readers · Level 16

Edward and Lily are taking part in a charity cycle race in the park. The course is marked with cones and kept away from traffic. Mr Lowe checks their helmets and bicycles before they join the start. Edward has practised all week and hopes to finish with his group.

Edward blue helmet green jacket stops outside marked cycling route with stationary blue bike front tyre visibly soft Lily white helmet orange jacket brings red bicycle back coach nearby.

As he wheels his bike towards the line, the front tyre feels soft. Edward stops and presses it gently. Lily is already beside the start, but she comes back when she sees him waiting. “I need Mr Lowe to check this,” Edward says. They stay outside the riding route.

Repair tent inside enclosed park Mr Lowe checks Edward blue bike soft front tyre Edward disappointed Lily waits helmets worn first cycling group departs distant safe course.

Mr Lowe takes the bike to the repair tent. The tyre needs attention before Edward can ride. He hears the first group setting off and feels his stomach sink. All that practice seems wasted now. Lily waits with him until the coach explains what can happen next.

At repair tent Mr Lowe talks choices Edward considers waiting blue bike with repair adult working no active riding nearby Lily listens.

The repair team can fix the bike, but Edward will miss this start. There is another group leaving later. Mr Lowe asks whether he wants to wait for that group or help at the finish. Edward looks at his helmet and chooses to wait for the later ride.

At tent Edward Lily sort paper route cards on table adult mechanic repairs blue bicycle in background both students helmets ready.

Lily asks the coach if she may move to the later group too. There is space for her, so she stays. While the repair team works, they help sort the route cards at the tent. Edward can still be useful, even though his morning has not followed the plan.

Edward blue bike Lily red bike BOTH helmets properly fastened ride marked closed park course with later small group coach at start calm pace away from traffic.

When the bike is ready, Mr Lowe checks it again. Edward joins the later group with Lily. They follow the marked course at a comfortable pace. Edward had imagined a fast start, but now he notices the pond, the trees and the people cheering beside the path.

Edward Lily cycle side by side near FINISH marked course green park pond trees people cheer from off riding route coach records returning group safe spacing.

Near the finish, Lily asks whether he wants to ride ahead. Edward shakes his head. “Let us finish together,” he says. They cross the line with their group while Mr Lowe records the riders returning. The event has raised money without needing Edward to be first.

After event Edward Lily stand with stationary bicycles beside repair tent Edward folds route card into bag both helmets still worn Mr Lowe nearby.

Afterwards, Edward folds his route card and puts it in his bag. He is still disappointed about the tyre, but his practice has helped him enjoy the ride. Missing one start did not mean missing the whole day. Lily asks which route they might try at the next event.

Edward’s Cycle Race

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