Three sportives make up the 2013 Schwalbe Road Sportive Series, with one event in Shropshire and two across the border in Wales.

The opening event takes place in Marshbrook, Shropshire, on Sunday July 14, with 85 and 50-mile routes which pack in a leg-numbing 3,000m and 1,700m of climbing respectively, including the infamous Burway ascent to the top of the Long Mynd.

Abergavenny then plays host to round two on Sunday August 4, with the choice of a 90-mile (2,500m of climbing) or 55-mile (1,450m) route.

And the series finale then takes place in Ruthin on Sunday September 1, with both the 92-mile (2,700m of climbing) and 45-mile (1,200m) courses tackling the Horseshoe Pass climb.

The sportive organisers are promising demanding routes, full signed courses and well-stocked feed stations.

All three sportives are part of a full weekend of cycling, with mountain bike marathons to take place on the Saturday ahead of the sportives on the Sunday.

Sportive entry costs £27 or you can buy a discounted weekend ticket for £50 which includes entry into both the mountain bike marathon and sportive. Entry also includes free weekend camping. Visit www.roadsportives.co.uk for more information.