Jasmine Bertie 14, was a year nine Student at Derby Moor Community Sports College when we asked her to record her experience of cycling.

"When I was one, my Mum and I would ride four miles with me in the child seat, to my Nan’s house and more or less everywhere else. 

I got my first proper road bike age six and started riding everywhere with my Mum on that.  Then when I was nine I got a bigger mountain bike.  My Mum and I went on bike rides to Shelton Lock and places like that.  Even then I was easily doing 12 miles.

I stopped biking for a few years after that because we got a car. Eventually I started to miss riding my bike everywhere.  It was only when I came to Derby Moor that I started to cycle again.  At the time I was the only girl at Derby Moor that rode to school.  It was then that I remembered why I liked riding so much.

When you’re on the bus, it’s a ten-minute journey just sitting down.  When I cycle, I can listen to my MP3 player and ride along almost deserted streets.  That 25-minute journey is Jasmine time – my own little world.  There were no annoying, precious children or school pressure, just me, my bike and I.

The fact that my fitness level went way up was just a very good side effect.

Then Derby Moor started the after school cycle club.  It was great because I had never thought of cycling as something that could thrill me.  When the ramps arrived and we started trying them out, I got a huge rush of adrenaline whenever I got proper air on a jump.

When we did the 17-mile bike ride around Derby, I surprised myself!  I only started to feel tired on the last mile of the journey.  A few months ago I would have felt it on the first mile of the journey. 

Then we went on the BMX track for an afternoon.  That was one of the coolest things that I have ever done.  I loved every second of it.  The thrill of going up and over dirt ramps bigger than anything I had ever seen myself was simple amazing.

As well as taking part, I absolutely love watching BMX’ers and mountain bikers.  We went on a trip to see the mini ramp park that had been set up in town.

It was great to see kids not much older than us fearlessly attempting and succeeding at gnarly jumps.  That inspired me.  I just thought if they can do that so can I.  It was just amazing and everyone had a great time.

The mechanics course was cool too.  I used tools I never even knew existed and plus I got a free racer bike that I repaired with the help of the visiting mechanics that came to the school.

I have just received my Silver membership and racing licence from British Cycling, something that I definitely plan to renew as soon as it expires.  It will mean that I can race and I’ve got cover, just in case something goes wrong on the BMX track.

As for a career in biking, I think it would simple be a hobby.  Probably race for fun.

I’d love to be a graphic designer when I am older and think designing the paintwork on bikes and skateboards would be a dream job."