For our first sportive of the series we are travelling to a very exciting location which was introduced to the series in 2011. We are heading to Marshbrook in Shropshire, England. The introduction event in 2011 was one of the best events in the history of the series and even the challenging weather conditions of 2012 did not impact the fantastic atmosphere and riding the area has to offer. We will be heading once again to the new ‘Shropshire Hills Mountain Bike and Outdoor Pursuit Centre’ in Marshbrook - an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Course designer John Lloyd has once again put two fantastic road sportive courses and three superb mountain bike courses together.  

SCHWALBE Road Sportive:
The second round of the SCHWALBE Road Sportive Series will be a double-header with the SCHWALBE MTB Marathon taking place on Saturday morning, 13th July. Saturday will be all about riding on dirt while Sunday is all about riding on skinnies. Around 400-500 riders will take up either one of the two superb and challenging road courses.  

John, excited by this still new location will be going all out to demonstrate the fantastic roads Shropshire has to offer – get geared up to be amazed and rewarded with long, challenging climbs, fast rolling roads and the most breathtaking scenery the area has on offer – and more importantly, prepare to have fun.

Go straight to the entry page to secure your entry.

Distance:
The sportives will have two distances to choose from: 

Download Course details, maps, profiles - PDF 600KB
Standard sportive: Length: approx 50mile
Climbing: approx 1,700meters

Download Course details, maps, profiles - PDF 600KB
Classic sportive: Length: approx 85mile 
Climbing: approx 2,800meters

Course Description
The Marshbrook round of the SCHWALBE Road Sportive heads north from Marshbrook through Little Stretton and into Church Stretton, the ride starts with the notorious Burway Climb. The Burway climbs up the side of Cardingmill Valley precariously perched on a wall of the valley with a precipitous drop to the right. It rises at 20% for 2 miles gaining nearly 300m in height and leaving you high on the top of the Long Mynd. The decent swoops down the west side of the Mynd and heads north on undulating minor roads, and takes in some lanes to navigate the Eastridge Wood which is northern tip of the MTB Marathon. From Minsterley the route winds up the Hope Valley easily gaining height before arriving at the massive table top that is Corndon Hill. Across the border the route passes to the north and west side of Corndon and descends into the small town of Churchstoke.    

The short route now drops south and picks up the Montgomery Road to Bishops Castle. The route then meanders its way back to the southern tip of the Long Mynd through rolling country side with one last climb before descending to the finish. 

From Church Stoke the long course heads north to Montgomery with its Norman stone Castle perched on a crag of the hill looming above the town. The road winds around the hill and down towards the River Severn and the Montgomeryshire Canal at Abermule. 

Heading south the road follows a stream and climbs in the shade up to Glanmule and onto the foot of the Kerry Hill. The road up is a classic winding 3mile climb and crosses the ancient Kerry Ridgway at it's peak before descending through Anchor and down a fast and winding 8mile blast to Clun. Heading south from Clun the Knighton road throws in 2 hills in quick succession before dropping steeply to the River Teme valley. A minor lane is taken before the town of Knighton and follows the northern side of the river up to Bucknell. The route then uses quiet minor roads to head north through the picturesque undulating Clun Forest which includes open pastures and moorland. 

Through the village of Edgton the route then returns to the southern tip of the Long Mynd with one final climb before the finish in Marshbrook.

Start time:
The SCHWALBE Road Sportive will have an open start between 8.30am – 9.30am on the 14th July from the Shropshire Hills Mountain Bike and Outdoor Pursuits Centre. 

Registration opens:
Friday: 6.00pm – 9.00pm (MTB Marathon)
Saturday: 7.00am – 9.00am (MTB Marathon)
Sunday: 7.00am – 9.30am (Road Sportive)

Entry fee:
£27 or reduced price of £50 if you take part in the discounted ‘weekend ticket’.
Tea, coffee and cake will be served at the finish line as well as food at the feed station(s).
The ‘weekend ticket’ includes not just the SCHWALBE Road Sportive on the Sunday but also the SCHWALBE MTB-Marathon on the Saturday. For more information on the marathons please go to www.mtb-marathon.co.uk. 

Campground:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning (Shropshire Hills Mountain Bike and Outdoor Pursuit Centre). Riders will benefit from all facilities provided at the campground and event village across the weekend. It will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.

Don’t forget our event photographer Jon Brooke will be at the event taking photographs of you all! The photos will be up on  www.rightplacerighttime.co.uk to view and purchase a few days after each event. 

To enter the event(s), visit the entry page.

For information about local services and accommodation, visit the local info page.