The RideStaffs festival – Staffordshire’s biggest celebration of cycling – takes place at Shugborough from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd July.
Now in its sixth year, the event offers more than just a great sporting weekend for spectators, with fantastic pro cycling races.
There are events aimed at every level of cyclist, from kids and beginners to seasoned competitors. And, with just over a month to go until the ‘big weekend’, people in Stone are being encouraged to register now to avoid missing out.
FRIDAY
Friday evening is all about the pros, with some big names in British cycling set to battle it out during the RideStaffs Grand Prix.
SATURDAY
Saturday offers stars of the future the chance to take part in the children’s Strider balance bike races. Taking place between 12.15pm and 2.45pm the TT (time trial) course will see under-fives vie to complete the circuit in the fastest time.
Split into three age groups – two-year-olds, three-year-olds and four/five-year-olds – all participants will receive a medal and Strider race number plate, with the top three in each age group awarded a trophy. Only Strider balance bikes may be raced, with competitors welcome to bring their own bike and a limited number available to hire on the day.
Families can then relax and enjoy watching the RideStaffs Kermesse pro race at 7pm which, as the opening round of the British Cycling Motorpoint Grand Prix Series, will see 120 of the country’s top elite riders compete.
SPORTIVES SUNDAY
This day is all about getting on your bike, with two Sportives open to the general public. The 22-mile INTO22 Sportive represents a great introduction to the sport, being a relatively short course on flatter, quieter roads through some of the county’s most picturesque spots – taking in Great Haywood, Tixall and Milford before heading into the final straight along the main drive through the grounds of Shugborough.
For those seeking a bigger challenge the Ride68 sportive, aimed at fitter and more experienced cyclists, crams as many different types of terrain and challenges as possible into its 68-mile route – including some gruelling climbs over Cannock Chase.
[box type=”shadow” ]Festival organiser Paul Rowlands says: “RideStaffs has always been about more than bringing pro races into the county – cycling is a rapidly growing sport and offers a great, accessible way for people to get fit. Through the two Sportives we aim to offer an introductory event in the Into22 that even novice cyclists can tackle, alongside a route that will be a good challenge for more experienced cyclists.
“Everyone who takes part will have their time logged so will have the fun of sharing and comparing their times with friends on social media, and they will also receive a goody bag with medal to mark their achievement.”[/box]
[box type=”info” ]RideStaffs will take place at Shugborough on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd July 2016. For more information on the festival – including details of entry fees, timings and online registration for the children’s Strider balance bike races and the two Sportives – head to www.ridestaffs.co.uk[/box]
[box type=”info” ]GET YOUR BUSINESS INVOLVED!
Many Stone businesses are backing RideStaffs. Lymestone Brewery have produced a special RideStaffs bottled ale and will be at Shugborough over the weekend in the food and drink area. We’re All Going Travel, meanwhile, has partnered with RideStaffs to promote and provide travel for people looking to cycle abroad in places like Mallorca.
Your business can sponsor barriers around the pro-race course. Your brand will be in the spotlight, as well as showcasing your support for the event.
Sponsoring barriers at RideStaffs is simple. You supply your logo and details of any guidelines you have on the colours of your brand and they produce the branding for you. And you get to keep the barrier banner for use after the event.
One barrier costs just £105 +VAT. Call Paul Rowlands on 07921 612091 or email paul.rowlands@me.com to book yours today [/box]
