Cyclists’ big day as new bike trail opens

It was a red letter day for hundreds of cyclists when a new mountain bike trail opened in Whitefield.

The 3km trail in Philips Park cost £100,000 and has been built with a grant from the Forestry Commission. It was officially opened on Saturday (16 February) by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Joan Grimshaw.

It co-incided with the fourth Hit the North race, in which more than 300 keen cyclists took part. The winner was Nick Craig, past British mountain bike and cyclo-cross champion.

Starting at the play area car park, there are two loops of red grade trail around the edge of the park, returning to the start along the main drive. The trail was designed by Mark McClure and Karl Bartlett of the International Mountain Bike Association (UK).

ENDS

Press release issued: 20 February 2013.

Picture attached: At the Hit the North race in Philips Park - among the riders was Guy Martin, TT racer and presenter of Channel 4's 'How Britain Worked'.