AN outdoor centre has established new facilities for cycling fanatics.

Sutton Bank National Park Centre has installed a mountain bike pump track and family-friendly cycle trail that will double as a cyclocross course for competitive events during autumn and winter.

Both the pump track and the provision of a permanent cyclocross course are thought to be the first facilities of their kind in North Yorkshire and have been developed by the National Park, with funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

“While more people are increasingly aware of the great variety of road and off-road cycling we have across the national park,

we knew there was a demand for tracks that can be ridden right throughout the year,” said Michael Graham, director of park services for the North York Moors National Park.

“Both tracks are designed with fun in mind and will be a fantastic starting point for people before they venture out onto trails leading further into the national park.”

The 330-metre pump track has been designed by specialists to help mountain bikers improve their skills, while the family cycle trail has been designed as a 2.5km figure-of-eight through woodland.

It will act as a longer and wider start to the existing cliff trail so that families can ride side-by-side through the forest, as well as providing better access for disabled cyclists who are using hand crank cycles.

During the cyclocross season throughout autumn and winter, Sutton Bank Bikes will work with British Cycling to stage a Cyclocross series, providing a permanent venue for the popular cycling event.

“Sutton Bank’s elevated position offers beautiful natural surroundings and in the words of famous vet James Herriot ‘the finest view in England’,” added Michael.

“It made sense to make more of the space surrounding the existing visitor facilities with these dedicated cycling tracks.”

As part of the development plans at Sutton Bank, the national park is also planning to open a new nature hub and dark skies observatory in November.