YOUNGSTERS braved wind and the rain to be the first to ride over a new £15,000 cycle track in Tiptree.

Colchester mayor Colin Sykes and representatives from the national cycling charity CTC also saddled up for the official opening of the the Grove Park track..

It has been paid for by contributions by developers who have built homes in Tiptree and has been in the pipeline for two years.

The track is suitable for all ages.

Coaches were on hand yesterday to help riders who had not done this kind of cycling before, with bikes available to borrow, so as many youngsters as possible could try out its jumps and turns.