ENTRY has now opened for three rides that celebrate cycling around mid Cheshire's salt towns.

The second annual Pedal Power Festival takes place in Northwich town centre on Sunday, June 14, with two new sportives added to this year's list of attractions.

The Salt Towns Shaker sportives are 35-mile and 70-mile routes between Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, complete with food and mini festivals on the way.

This year will also see the return of the popular five-mile traffic-free family ride in Northwich Community Woodlands, which attracted 200 riders last year.

Nick Jones, the festival committee's sportive organiser, said: "We were looking to have longer rides last year but kept it smaller to see how things went.

"I think we can safely say they went really well, the mud spattered smiles at the finish of the family ride convinced me we could put on other successful rides too.

"For the Salt Towns Shaker rides I wanted to encompass Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford and to have the riders experience the beauty of our countryside and the villages on the way.

"The ride is completely on roads so suitable for road bike, hybrids and even mountain bikes.

"The 35-mile route is fairly flat and if you cycle once a week or more it’s the one for you, it’s still a challenge but it’s well within your capability.

"For the 70 we follow the 35 but dive off to Beeston for some undulating lanes and then off to Kingsley near the end for a few gnarly hills.

"Our two Grub Hubs in Middlewich and Winsford feature on both rides with mini festivals and good food.

"We really hope that cyclists will have a super ride, stretch their legs and enjoy the Pedal Power Festival village in Northwich on their return to town.

"All riders, including the five-milers, will receive a goody bag packed full of cycling related gubbins at the finish."

The festival is inspired by the Northwich and Winsford and Middlewich Guardian's Pedal Power Campaign and organised by Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich town councils.

Entry to the Salt Towns Shaker 35 and 70 costs £15.

Entry to the family ride is £2.50 for children, £5 for adults or £10 for a family ticket.

For more information visit www.pedalpowernorthwich.co.uk or email ask@pedalpowernorthwich.co.uk.