Do you fancy stretching your legs a bit before the SSMM or would like the chance to try some of the course for the Twentyfour/12? If so why don’t you pop along and take part in one of the increasingly popular Midlands series events?

Round 3 of this five-round series takes place on 18 June at the impressive Lodgewood Park, Ellesmere, a private 300 acre estate that is being developed as a prestigious off road facility.

With renowned World Cup racer and Olympian Gary Foord collaborating with Matt Farmer to design the course, you can expect plenty of challenges to test your skills and fitness, with lots of undulating climbs in and around the vast woodlands that skirt the arena.

Lodgewood Park is easy to find just off the A528 outside Ellesmere. Look out for the mbXC event signs. There are good facilities, providing loads of parking, toilets and refreshments. Camping will be available the night before (£4 per tent), though remember to bring plenty of drinking water with you, as we can’t guarantee a supply on site.

Medals are awarded to the top three in each event and a special prize will be awarded to the fastest singlespeeder of the day (thanks to Mammoth Lifestyle for sponsoring this section!).

It’s too late to enter by post but you can enter on line at www.justridingalong.com/entries. Entry on the day may be available but will be £4 extra. For more information on mbXC and the series go to www.mbxc.co.uk.