Local youngsters to open new National Forest Cycle Centre

A bunch of keen local cyclists will burst through the ribbon at 10.45 am on Wednesday 1 June, to officially open the new Hicks Lodge, National Forest Cycle Centre, just outside Ashby de la Zouch.

The youngsters have already made their own YouTube video showing off the new trails. Following the official opening, the centre and trails will be open to the public from 11 am, with an exciting programme of guided trail rides and activities throughout the rest of the day.

This £1.5 million project has been developed by the National Forest Company in partnership with site-owners, the Forestry Commission (FC). The stunning glass and timber building, which houses a café and bike hire and repair shop, uses the latest environmentally-friendly technology. It is heated by a wood chip boiler, generates energy through solar panels and recycles rainwater.

FC Director General Tim Rollinson and Catherine Graham-Harrison, Chair, National Forest Company, will speak to invited guests at the launch event, celebrating this major new attraction in the Forest. It is an excellent example of sustainable building in the Forest, and the development of leisure and recreation facilities to get people out and about, enjoying The National Forest as it grows. Facilities at Hicks Lodge are focused on families and novice cyclists. The bike hire will offer tagalong bikes, trailers and child seats. The eight miles of off-road trails are graded for all abilities, and there will be a programme of guided trail rides over the coming months: Cycling Start for Parents & Toddlers; Evening Trail Ride and Forest Feast BBQ; Silver Cyclists and a Family Forest Tour. There will also be bike maintenance sessions and junior riding skills courses and events. According to one local mum the trails are great for getting out and about with her baby.

Hicks Lodge will be run by Purple Mountain, which manages the excellent cycle centres in North Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Representatives from major funders 6Cs Strategic Green Infrastructure Growth Fund and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership will also be present at the launch.