THE Wiltshire Cycleway celebrated its 21st birthday at the weekend with the help of 21 other 21-year-olds.

The intrepid 21-year-olds took part in a relay race around the 168-mile county route, with each participant cycling eight miles before handing over to the next person.

The event started in Bradford on Avon at 7am on Sunday with the final cyclist returning to the pub at about 9pm.

Each 21-year-old who took part will be given a new mountain bike and will receive a free party for 25 friends at the Chicago Rock Caf in Trowbridge as part of the "Ride the Rock" campaign run in conjunction with the 21st birthday celebrations.

The Wiltshire Cycleway 21st Birthday Challenge also marked the culmination of Wiltshire Bike Week 2004.

Travelwise manager at Wiltshire County Council, Bill Prendergast, said: "This is a fantastic event to mark the 21st birthday of the Wiltshire Cycleway. The Wiltshire Cycleway allows people to enjoy Wiltshire's magnificent countryside at their own pace on quiet rural lanes and see the county at its best.

"Wiltshire Bike Week 2004 has been all about getting people out and about on their bikes, whether cycling to work, school, to the shops or just for fun."

The Wiltshire Cycleway opened in June 1983 and is made up of six circular routes, the longest being the 168-mile county route which circles the county passing through Malmesbury in the north, Bradford on Avon in the west, Salisbury in the south and Marlborough in the east.

Wiltshire Bike Week 2004 was organised by the Travelwise team at Wiltshire County Council who promote walking, cycling and other environmentally-friendly modes of transport for all journeys.