The Forestry Commission have today announced that Pace Cycles and Eurest Services will operate the bike hire centre and café at Dalby Forest near Pickering in North Yorkshire.

The news comes following the realisation that Purple Mountain, who have been running the café and bike centre facilities at Dalby for the past six years, lost out in a tender process that drew interest from 15 businesses from around the UK.

Alan Eves, Forest Management Director, said: “The high level of interest underlines Dalby Forest as a prime biking destination. We chose the winning bidders for their experience, expertise and commitment to build on our reputation as a family biking centre offering world class facilities on and off the trail.”

Pace Cycles, founded locally in Kirkbymoorside, is one of the leading UK mountain bike brands and has been making complete bikes and parts for 25 years and testing them in Dalby Forest.  Last year they moved their operation into Dalby establishing a demonstration centre for its range of bikes and a national suspension service centre.

The CTC is a not-for- profit member-based organisation which has promoted cyclists’ rights since 1878.  The linkup between two aims to encourage more people to saddle up in Dalby, offering events, guides and instruction, while looking after the needs of accomplished bikers keen to tackle the forest’s acclaimed single track network.

Adrian Carter said: “We’re really excited at this opportunity and the prospect of partnering with the CTC who plan to promote Dalby as their Centre of Excellence for cycling in England. We will be creating a new business to operate the site and expect to make it the number one cycling destination in the North.”

Eurest Services is part of Compass Group UK and Ireland and has operated the Treetops Café in the £2.3m Dalby Forest Visitor Centre since 2007.  The new offer in the Courtyard Café will complement the existing Treetop Café offering and will also feature more energy based foods for the hungry and thirsty bikers.

Richard Taylor, Business Director for Eurest Services said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded this contract and expand on the services we provide to Dalby Forest visitors. The Courtyard Café is a popular destination within the Forest and we look forward to providing customers with a wide range of food and drink offers to suit their needs.”

Alan Eves added: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to Purple Mountain, who have operated the bike hire centre and cafe since 2006. They have played a significant part in Dalby’s emergence as a major biking destination.”

The new contracts will run for three years from 1 April 2012, subject to review.

Are you a regular user of the Dalby Forest trails? What do you think of this news?