A FOREST cycle centre will re-open this weekend after seven months of closure following a long-running battle between the previous contract holders and the Forestry Commission.

Dalby Bike Barn, in the North York Moors, will open on Saturday (13) under national charity Cycling Touring Club (CTC), and the event will include free cycling taster sessions throughout the day.

There will also be an exhibition of the latest bikes and gear together with guest appearances by biking celebrities, in the hope to encourage more people to take up biking.

Purple Mountain previously held the contract for the cycle hire and cafe at Dalby Forest, and was run by sisters Vicky and Ruth Griffin.

The sisters lost out after six years of running the cycle centre at Dalby, and after a petition was set up the Forestry Commission was forced to re-run the tendering process.

Ms Griffin said: “We helped make the bike trail centre at Dalby Forest the major attraction it is today so to lose out to a large company is very unfair.”

But Purple Mountain lost out once again to Pace Cycles and CTC.

Dalby Forest has emerged as one of the UK's best mountain bike destinations since the Forestry Commission opened a 55 kilometre single track network in 2007.

Becky Mayo from the Forestry Commission said: "You don't need to be Bradley Wiggins or dress in Lycra to have fun.

“Biking is for everyone and the CTC will be running courses aimed at women, youngsters and the over 50s, together with a host of other skills sessions.

“That very much fits in with the Forestry Commission's aim to broaden access to Dalby's bike trails. “We are excited by this new partnership."

The Dalby Bike Barn is operated on the Forestry Commission's behalf by the CTC and Pace Cycles, which has been manufacturing bikes and components for 25 years in North Yorkshire.

A full bike hire service is already in operation with some machines adapted for use by people with special needs.