THE Outdoor Education Fife and Meedies Bike Club have been developing four different dirtcrit loops within Lochore Meadows Country Park and it was perfect for round four of the Kingdom Crit series held last weekend.

For the Kingdom series, riders had the opportunity to race on the Mary Pit loop.

After starting in the shadow of the old pithead, the trail soon heads in to the trees.

The riders found the weather a little dreary but it let them get to drips with a damp surface and they all enjoyed the experience.

A wide swoopy trail allows for tactical overtaking before narrowing slightly over a wooden boardwalk section.

Next, a sharp right takes the rider up a small climb before levelling out for a few hundred meters along the tree line.

At the end of the woods, the course then almost doubles back on itself, this time following a more technical singletrack section back towards the main park centre. The loop finishes on open ground, heading back towards the towering concrete pithead frame.

Riders were spoilt for choice on ways to improve their riding skills at Lochore Meadows with a variety of paths, singletrack trails, a skills loop and Whitewood Bikepark. The Meedies Bike Club provides opportunities to ride with others onsite and also organises trips to other locations and trail centres.

For anyone looking to lead groups the Meedies Bike Club regularly run Trail Cycle and Mountain Bike Leader courses.

For those who require some additional support, Adaptive Bikes are available all year round. It is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

They have a range of adaptive bikes for hire including recumbent and upright trikes, adaptive wheelchair bikes and tandems.

Groups with carers or families can go along together to experience cycling in a traffic free area. For carers who haven’t used the bikes before they can offer advice and training.