Bike Blenheim Palace
Event: 18-19 August 2012
Location: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Report: Bike Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is delighted to announce the GB Para Cycling Team will take part in the Bike Blenheim Palace 20 Km Time Trial on Saturday 18 August, promising a spectacular launch to the event in 2012.
Above: The 2011 Bike Blenheim sportive gets underway. 2012 will feature 60 and 100 mile events.
Bike Blenheim Palace has been held annually since 2008 in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, arguably a location unrivalled anywhere in Britain. The Time Trial at Bike Blenheim Palace takes place on the undulating traffic-free roads of Blenheim Park, appealing to both professional cyclists and novices.
Above Left: Sarah Storey in last year's Bike Blenheim TT. Above Right: Current National TT Champion Michael Hutchinson taking part in the wacky yet spectacular Brompton World Championships.
In last years’ event, the fastest male was Michael Hutchinson (current UK Time Trial Champion) in 26.08 minutes, and fastest female was Sarah Storey (GB Paralympic & World Champion) in 28.29minutes. Sarah Storey will return with her team to tackle the Time Trial at Bike Blenheim Palace 2012 as a warm up to the forthcoming Paralympic Games along with several other riders, including Shaun Mckeown and Mark Colbourne.
Sarah Storey commented after the 2011 event: "Bike Blenheim Palace is a superb day out for the whole family and there really is something for everyone at the event. I loved riding the Time Trial event and having closed roads and such a big field made for exciting competition. It's the perfect place to start racing and for the seasoned racers a real privilege to have a traffic-free course!"
New 40km Off Road Sportive
Mountain bike riders across the country are invited the tackle an exhilarating 40km Off-Road Sportive through the beautiful Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This brand new route will take riders through the stunning and varied trails within the Blenheim Palace Estate as well as onto the byways of the local countryside.
The Off-Road Sportive, specifically designed for mountain bikers, is a new element adding variety to the growing Festival of Cycling, Bike Blenheim Palace, taking place over two days on 18th – 19th August. From the start line, cyclists will head south on the tarmac roads of Blenheim Estate before heading north up the west side of the Estate. The undulating and gnarly off-road section will take riders through a stunning array of plants and trees - lucky cyclists might even spot local deer and other wildlife!
The route will zigzag through Blenheim Palace’s stunning private woodland before crossing open countryside, heading towards the village of Charlbury. The bridleways will take riders through attractive farmland, in and out of copses and on numerous minor ascents and descents.
Riders are rewarded with a well-earned rest-stop around the halfway point (24km) then turning through the village of Stonesfield and crossing a picturesque river setting before climbing back up to East End (at around 28 km). From this point there will be a great descent through the bridleways, continuing back over the river before climbing up to the village of Combe.
A fast tarmac section will lead north along the road to the stewarded T-junction (at around 34 km) before the route returns the Blenheim Palace Estate where a breath-taking off-road trail meanders through the trees, out through a field, and onto the road that heads towards Blenheim Palace and the finish line.
Paul Orsi, Bike Blenheim Palace Event Director comments: “We’ve been wanting to provide an off-road element for mountain bike riders for a long time, it’s fantastic to be able to bring this awesome new route in 2012 now that the event has grown to two days.”
In 2012 Bike Blenheim Palace will take place on 18 and 19 August, expanding to two days to encompass new races, activities and cycling disciplines, including the new Off Road Sportive. Bike Blenheim Palace has something for everyone from the competitive cycling fanatic to families looking for somewhere safe to ride their bikes in beautiful surroundings.
Event Itinerary
Saturday 18th August:
- A new 40km off-road Sportive through Blenheim Park and the surrounding byways.
- A tough 20km Time Trial all on the closed roads of Blenheim Park
- Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
- Bike Polo Tournament Cycle skills for children
- Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries
Sunday 19th August:
- A 60 and 100 mile Sportive through the Cotswold's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- The staging of the Brompton World Championship 2012
- The new Brompton Marathon and Sprint events
- Breast Cancer Care's 26.2 mile Pink Ribbonride
- Family rides in a beautiful and safe car free environment
- Cycle skills for children
- Great range of exhibitors from the cycle and cycle friendly industries
2012 will see a significantly bigger event village with many of the world’s best cycling brands and products available to view and try out. The Animal Bike Tour will be one of the star attractions as well as a cycling café and the Kiddimoto Champs for the under 5s.
Exhibitors include Scott, Mavic, Schwalbe, Enigma Titanium, Rotor, Adidas, Magura, Cinelli, Campagnolo, Juice Lubes and many more. Breast Cancer Care is the official charity for Bike Blenheim Palace in 2012 providing the opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause whilst getting fit. Get on your bike for Breast Cancer Care and support people living with breast cancer in the UK.
For more information and to register visit www.bikeblenheimpalace.com
British Cycling Members get 10% off entry to Road Sportive, Off-Road Sportive, Time Trial and Pink Ribbonride events. Look out for details in your Member News email!
