The new Kirkby Stephen Cycle Centre was officially opened Eden district councillor Trevor Ladhams.

The centre at Station Yard is the only business of its kind in the Upper Eden Valley, offering bicycles for sale and hire, a repair service and a growing range of spares and accessories.

Coun Ladhams, who cycles to work himself, tried out the latest bicycles for sale and hire before cutting the ribbon and officially opening the centre.

The venture has been helped by a marketing support grant from Eden District Council and by business counselling from Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency.

Kirkby Stephen Town Council is coordinating efforts to develop cycle tourism in the Upper Eden Valley area. The town is on one of the loop routes of the recently launched Eden Valley Circular Cycle Route.

Cycle centre owner and manager Stephen McWhirter said: "Cycling around our beautiful unspoilt countryside is something special that both local people and visitors can enjoy, and I'm here to help them do just that, working with other local businesses and interested parties."

Impressed with Stephen's efforts to develop a new cycling enterprise, Scott USA has appointed him as an agent for their bicycles and accessories.

Stephen added: "At KSCC we will be acting as a focal point for cycling news and information for the local area. Members of the Coast-to-Coast's Eden Valley group are showing their support by starting one of their regular rides from the premises after the official opening."

Kirkby Stephen is set to benefit from the development of three new cycle routes:

l The southern section of the Pennine Cycleway to be launched this summer.

l As part of the National Cycle Network's route between Northallerton and Penrith which is due to be completed.

l A new coast-to-coast cycle route between Barrow-in-Furness and Sunderland being developed.

Cyclists pedalling from Land's End to John O'Groats often seek overnight accommodation and in Kirkby Stephen, as do some of the mountain bikers tackling the off-road Coast-to-Coast route.

The Upper Eden Cycling Club turned out in force to celebrate the opening of the centre and following the ceremony headed off to Hawes for a round cycle route.

April 16, 2003 11:00