Round 2 of CycleOps Power Road Sportives this weekend

If you're at a loose end this Saturday and within spitting distance of Marshbrook in Shropshire, then why not head over and have a go at the CycleOps Power Road Sportive that's heading out on Saturday morning. There are still places available on both the 50-mile and 85-mile routes.

There's some challenging terrain in that neck of the woods, and true to form both routes start with an ascent of the Burway onto the Long Mynd. That climb scores a 9/10 in the 100 greatest climbs book, so pack your low gears. After that there's plenty of ups and downs and you'll climb the Hope Valley to Corndon Hill before the route splits. The short course goes back via Bishop's Castle while the 85-miler heads up the three-mile climb of Kerry Hill before descending to Clun and meanders through the Clun forest and back to base.

All the CycleOps sportives share a weekend with the Chain Reaction MTB Marathon series; that means you can camp all weekend for free and also enter the MTB ride on the Sunday if you fancy a bit of muddy fun. You can do both rides and camp all weekend for £47, which isn't half bad. Entry to the sportive on its own costs £27.

For more info, head over to www.roadsportives.co.uk/marshbrook.php