WIN! 10 bikes up for grabs

THE Tour of Britain is coming to town and we want you enjoy a summer of cycling by winning some fantastic prizes.

To celebrate the 2009 event starting in Scunthorpe, the Scunthorpe Telegraph has teamed up with North Lincolnshire Council to get young people on their bikes.

And we have 10 bikes to give away in our fantastic competition which could see you playing a lead role in the race celebrations.

Scores of the world's top riders will come to town when Britain's premier stage race starts in Scunthorpe's Central Park on September 12. (The story continues below).

It is hoped Britain's double Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins will be among the starters, along with his GB team-mate Mark Cavendish - the world's top road race sprinter.

And the organisers have even sent an invitation to the biggest name in cycling, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

The stage race will conclude in London but when it starts in Scunthorpe, we want to make it a cycling celebration.

For as the TV cameras roll and thousands of people line the streets, we want people to be waving flags and marvelling at banners designed by you.

Scunthorpe Telegraph editor Mel Cook said: "The Tour of Britain is a hugely prestigious event and ever since it was revealed we would host the opening stage, excitement has been building.

"Cycling is an exciting sport, jam-packed with colour, and by entering this fabulous competition young people can play a huge part in what promises to be a memorable day for Scunthorpe."

The competition will be split into five age categories and two winners from each age group - one boy and one girl - will each receive a sparkling new bike.

The winners in each category, along with two guests, will also be invited to join the Mayor of North Lincolnshire for corporate hospitality on the morning of the race.

The first age group is for those children under five years of age.

We are asking them to draw a picture on the theme of 'Me and my bike' which will form the basis of a poster to advertise the benefits of cycling

The next age group is for those children aged five to seven years.

They are asked to design a flag to promote the 2009 Tour of Britain. The two winning designs will be used to create a real flag, 10,000 of which will be made for people to wave as the cyclists speed past.

The next two categories, ages eight to 11 years and 12 to 15 years, share the same task - to design a banner on the theme of cycling safety or the benefits of cycling. These will be used as lamp column banners.

In the final age category, 16-24 years, entrants are asked to take a photograph with a cycling theme. These will be displayed on-line.

The closing date for entries is July 31 and once the winners have been chosen, the prizes will be awarded and the council will start making the flags and banners.

Read-on for full details on the competition and don't forget to follow the big race build-up in the Scunthorpe Telegraph and on our website's special section, www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/tourofbritain

The Tour of Britain is growing in stature and this year's competition will be fiercer than ever before.

Daily highlights of the race will be shown on ITV4 while cycling fans will follow the action across Europe.

It is the ideal chance to showcase the sport and get as many young people as possible on their bikes and riding to a healthier lifestyle. (The story continues below).

In the coming months we'll be running a series of features encouraging pedal power and Scunthorpe Telegraph editor Mel Cook said: "In this day and age a lot is said about the health and lifestyles of young people. This summer of cycling will hopefully encourage more youngsters to take part.

"Cycling is a great activity because no what matter your ability, you can enjoy it.

"You can have a leisurely ride to the park, do some tricks on your BMX or go off-road on your mountain bike.

"And if you want to take things further, there are lots of clubs in North Lincolnshire that offer great social and sporting opportunities.

"Perhaps a future British Olympian could be found down at Quibell Park where current GB star Ben Swift started his career.

"It really is a sport for all so enter our competition and get on your bike.

"You don't know where it could end - perhaps with a gold medal."

For all the big race latest, log on to www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/tourofbritain

THE COMPETITION

AS the Tour of Britain approaches, the Scunthorpe Telegraph has teamed up with North Lincolnshire Council to get youngsters on their bikes - and you could win one.

There are five age groups in our easy to enter competition and a boy and girl from each will win a bike - that's a total of 10 bikes up for grabs.

So what do you have to do?

Under five years

Draw a picture entitled 'Me and my bike'. Artwork should be submitted on plain white paper at A4 size.

How will it be used?

It will form the basis of a poster that will be used to promote the benefits of cycling.

Ages five to seven years

Design a hand-held flag for the race. Artwork should be submitted on plain white paper, 120mm square.

How will it be used?

10,000 flags will be produced with the two winning designs back to back. Spectators will be given them to wave as the race passes.

Ages eight to 11 years and ages 12 to 15 years

Design a banner on the theme of cycling safety awareness or the benefits of cycling. Artwork should be submitted on plain white paper at A3 size.

How will it be used?

A range of banners will be produced and used along the route of the race.

Age 16 to 24 years

Take a digital photo on the theme of cycling.

How will it be used?

Shortlisted photos will appear on council and Scunthorpe Telegraph websites, the winning photos will be on display in North Lincolnshire galleries.

The closing date for entries is July 31.

On the back of your entry, please include your name, age, address and telephone number.

Please clearly state on the envelope which competition category you are entering and post your entry to:

Tour of Britain 2009 competition

Age Category: (under 5, 5-7, 8-11, 12-15, 16-24)

Scunthorpe Telegraph

4-5 Park Square

Laneham Street

Scunthorpe

DN15 6JH

Alternatively you can drop your entry to our reception at the Laneham Street address.

For those entering the 16-24 category, photos can also be sent to pictures@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk, please name your email 'Tour of Britain 2009 competition' and provide full name and contact details.

Terms and Conditions

Closing date for all competition category entries is Friday, July 31 at 10am. Competition entries must be supplied on the specified size paper, otherwise your entry will be invalid. No photocopies accepted. A boy and girl winner will be selected from each category by a panel of judges from the Scunthorpe Telegraph and North Lincolnshire Council on August 3 and 4 and will each win a bike, average value of £100. Winners will be contacted via telephone. Please provide your age on your competition entry. Winners will be required to take part in publicity photographs. The Editor's decision is final. Employees of Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group, North Lincolnshire Council, or close family of both parties are not eligible to enter. Usual Grimsby & Scunthorpe Media Group competition rules apply – see competition rules in the classified section of your Telegraph for a full list of GSMG competition terms and conditions. The prizes are non transferable and no cash alternative will be given.