Tavistock College students inspired to cycle by top Devon biker

A WORLD beating Devon cyclist showed off his skills to Tavistock College students as part of a sustainability day - encouraging them to live an active lifestyle and pursue their dreams.

Andrei Burton, a stunt rider and world top ten cycle trials champion, visited the college to inspire students to bike to school and put in the work needed to make the most of their talents.

The 23-year-old told the students: “I’ve ridden round the edges of buildings hundreds of feet high on walls a brick wide. I’ve ridden over the tors of Dartmoor with 60 to 70 foot drops. It’s all stuff I’ve built up to.

“I ride for the Great Britain cycling team and get to travel all around the world. It’s a pretty cool job.”

Mr Burton demonstrated his talent by riding and jumping over platforms and scaffolding erected in the college hall, before instructing geography teacher Paul Maddaford to lie on the floor. To cheers from the students, Mr Burton launched himself from the highest platform, landing inches from Mr Maddaford, and proceeded to flip his bike from side to side and between the terrified teacher’s legs.

Mr Maddaford said: “I was not sure what to expect but started to get nervous when he went up to the top platform.

“I tried not to think about it too much but could not look when he jumped off the top and landed between my legs. All I could feel was the air blowing as he jumped over my body.”

Mr Burton works in conjunction with Devon County Council to get young people thinking about cycling. He has been riding since 2000 after meeting bikers on his way home from school and being impressed by the tricks they were pulling.

He explained the importance of wearing a helmet while cycling, whether or not the students intended to try stunts.

He said: “I never used to wear helmets but a really good friend of mine started getting some good sponsors and was on the verge of going full time. He hit his head on the floor and later passed out and had 17 hours of surgery.

“He couldn’t ride for two-and-a-half years and he’s now working in a pub, so I started wearing a helmet.”

Rosie Agnew, Devon County Council’s sustainable schools travel adviser, told students the college was trying to reduce its emissions as part of its 'Carbon Challenge' and trying to cycle and walk to school more would help. She said there were some really good routes to follow for walking and cycling and the college had great bike storage.

She continued: “I started riding when I was very young and by sticking at it you get more and more confident and cycling does not have to be costly. It’s always possible to make a change.”

Mr Burton has featured on Children in Need and broke the record for the most 180 degree jumps on a bicycle on ****ss World Records Smashed, performing 34 in one minute.

He rides for the British Team for the International Cycling Union Trials World Cup, World Championship and European Championship, and is spearheading the bid to make trials riding an Olympic demonstration sport for London 2012.