On August 1-2 this year, Staffordshire Cycling Festival returns to the roads of the county for its second year with two great sportives and even more racing to keep the fans entertained.

Kicking off the weekend are the men’s and women’s Stafford Grand Prix in Stafford Town Centre, a great reason for sportive riders to make a long weekend of their visit to the county town, enjoying the entertainment on offer in the town as well as taking the opportunity to ice up their start number for the sportive a day early.

Saturday sees events move up to Shugborough Hall, a National Trust property just a couple of miles from Stafford town centre, this is the focal point of the second day of the festival and the place from where the events two sportives, a 35 and 70 mile route start and finish.

The 35 mile route is described by the organisers as ideal for a first time sportive rider with roads kept as quiet as possible and no huge mountains to tackle along the way.

The 70 mile route is definitely one for more experienced riders and whilst the 70mile distance might give the impression that this is just a gentle leg loosener for people more used to tackling a century, the organisers have taken care to create a course that gives the participant plenty of opportunity to expend energy, featuring a mixture of tough climbs, quicker roads and twisty lanes. It’s a course that dares the participant to push hard on the pedals but is unforgiving of anyone who gives too much too early.

Sportive riders, their families, and anyone just visiting Shugborough for the day will have plenty of excuse to stay around this year at the conclusion of the sportives as two Kermesse races form the focal point of an evening racing in the grounds of Shugborough hall. The Women’s Kermesse kicks off the evenings racing followed by the men, bringing down the curtain on the festival for its second year.

To find out more about the event head to www.ridestaffs.co.uk, twitter or Facebook.