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Castleton woman's biking business leading the way
THE Forestry Commission is urging more bikers to put themselves to the test and take up the challenge of improving their biking skills, thanks to a Castleton businesswoman.
Purple Mountain, which runs the bike centre in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, has become the first outlet in Yorkshire to be accredited by the Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme to run Right Track awards.
Purple Mountain is run by Castleton woman Vicky Griffin.
Youngsters aged between 11 and 18 years old can now use the exciting 55 kilometre trail network created in the 3,440 hectare beauty spot to gain specialist training and progress through five levels of instruction, earning certificates along the way.
Alan Eves, forest management director with the Forestry Commission, said: "It's one thing creating the trails, but we also need to offer opportunities for bikers to polish their skills and develop better technique, while becoming safer riders too.
"We are also committed to broadening the appeal of biking in the forest, which can deliver significant health benefits.
"That's why we are delighted that Purple Mountain has gone down this road to achieving accreditation."
Cycling is riding on the crest of a wave in Dalby Forest after beating off stiff international competition to win the right to stage the opening race in the 2010 World Cup Cross County Championship in April.
Two years ago the woodland also became the first venue in the UK to stage a forest finish to Yorkshire leg of the Tour of Britain.
The new Right Track scheme, which is aimed at schools and youth groups, will allow young bikers to upgrade skills and even follow their own dreams of stardom. It can be designed to dovetail with NVQ and syllabus studies and counts towards pupils' records of achievement.
Vicky, who runs Purple Mountain, said: "Honing techniques like gear selection, braking and tackling drop-offs are all covered, with the top level of the Right Track awards introducing competition riding."
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Weather for Whitby
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
