THE first Yorkshire Mountain Bike Marathon takes place this weekend in the grounds of a 10,000-acre estate.

Birdsall Estates and the Northern Ride bike shop in Malton are organising the event on Sunday.

Three events – a 20km, 40km, and 80km – will take place on previously unridden, unexplored trails on the privately-owned Birdsall Estates.

The routes feature the unique terrain of the Yorkshire Wolds with natural trails, single-tracks, forest descents, valleys and spectacular climbs and even rides through the deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy. Not normally accessible to the public, riders will enjoy the newly-created, off-road terrain for the first time.

All events take in the hills to the south of Birdsall with the 80km option providing serious riders with the option of really exploring their limits. Two laps of equal length means entrants can opt in or out of the second 40km lap depending on their staying power on the day.

The marathon starts and finishes in the grounds of Birdsall House, which also featured in the Tour de Yorkshire this year. Refreshments will also be available.

In addition to the marathon, children can tackle their own mountain bike off-road, specially-designed route. They can bring along their own bikes and test their agility in the grounds of the Birdsall Estate on the specific children’s loop.

James Willoughby, of Birdsall Estates, said: “We are delighted with the level of interest so far in our inaugural Yorkshire Mountain Bike Marathon and hope it will be the first of many successful mountain biking events.

“Opening up this estate for mountain bikers is a really exciting prospect, encouraging cycling for all to get involved with, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming riders, their families and spectators on June 4.”

Kevin Clark, from Northern Ride, added: “We wanted to provide an event in the area that utilises the unique terrain of the Yorkshire Wolds.

“The terrain has natural single track and some great ascents and descents ideal for mountain biking. Many have said the area needs a Mountain Bike Marathon event and once the event has taken place, we will be looking to really grow it into a nationally recognised annual event.”

Entry costs are £22 for the 20km, £28 for the 40km and £34 for the 80km. To enter go to yorkshiremountainbikemarathon.co.uk or phone the Northern Ride bike shop on 01653 699070.