Twenty-five youngsters competed in the Riverhead Police Athletic League’s annual bike rodeo yesterday at Stotzky Park.
Kids tested their bicycling skills on a safety course designed by the Automobile Club of America. Police officers instructed the cyclists on the rules of each part of the course and graded their efforts. Children who earned the most points overall won prizes donated by local businesses and town police organizations.
Attendance was down this year for the popular annual event, which had to be postponed twice because of inclement weather. It was originally scheduled for last weekend and postponed due to rain to Saturday morning. But stormy weather Saturday forced another postponement until Sunday afternoon. Cloudy skies gave way to sunshine as the rodeo got underway.
Prizes included new bicycles for the top male and female contestants in each grade group (K-2, 3-4, 5-6) as well as to two kids determined by the judges to put in the “best effort” in the competition. Prizes also included Target gift cards and tickets to Splish Splash. Every child in attendance received a coupon for a free Slurpee at 7-Eleven.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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