A CYCLING-themed family fun day at The Moors Centre at Danby will mark the Tour de Yorkshire.

The first stage of the inaugural tour on Friday will pass by the centre mid-afternoon, with the grounds providing a prime position for viewing.

Visitors will be able to build up to the big moment with a variety of activities, including an eight-mile easy ride organised by Sutton Bank Bikes, with bikes available to hire; a bike skills course for younger riders, provided by East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre; cycling-themed craft workshops for children and face-painting featuring the North York Moors National Park logo and the white rose of Yorkshire.

There will also be a flower display in blue and yellow, the race colours, by Loftus Flower Club, and tasting sessions from North Yorkshire’s SLOEmotion, makers of hedgerow-fruit-based liqueurs, chocolates and chutneys.

A big screen in the grounds will show live coverage of the race from 2.30pm and all the activities, other than the bike hire, will be free. There will be plenty of parking and racks for bikes; cyclists are encouraged to bring their own locks for extra security.

A free shuttle bus will run regularly between Danby Station and The Moors Centre to meet trains arriving/departing between 10am and 5pm. The Esk Valley Line will run as normal on the day and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is putting on a steam train from Battersby to Whitby, which will call at Danby Station. Tickets for both railways will be interchangeable on the day.

Rita Rudsdale, visitor centre coordinator at The Moors Centre, said: “The Tour de Yorkshire is a hugely important event for the county and we’re thrilled that it’s passing right by our door. It’s an opportunity to see some of today’s biggest cycling stars in the flesh.

“We hope that people will come along and enjoy everything that we have to offer – and, of course, the race itself.”

For more information, go to north yorkmoors.org.uk/tourdeyorkshire