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On Sunday 28th September, Blenheim Palace, in conjunction with British Cycling, will open the World Heritage Site Park to public cycling for the first time. Bike Blenheim Palace will be a festival of cycling to celebrate the bicycle in all its forms. Taking place in 2,100 acres of stunning parkland in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Bike Blenheim Palace will include a 20km Time Trial, an Elite Road Race and the unique staging of the Brompton World Championships. After the races, cycling routes of varying distances will be opened to the general public. An exciting ‘Event Arena’ will include various bike exhibitors and retailers, a mountain bike display team, bicycle polo tournament, vintage bikes, Go-Ride cycle skills for children and much more.
Bike Blenheim Palace has been selected as an Open Weekend event celebrating the launch of the Cultural Olympiad – the start of a four-year celebration in the run-up to London 2012. From 26th – 28th September, Open Weekend will feature hundreds of innovative cultural events across the UK, opening up opportunities for people across the UK to visit spaces, places and people and get them involved in imaginative, thought-provoking creative activities.
Paul Orsi, Rural Enterprises Manager at Blenheim Palace commented: ‘We are extremely proud to be part of the Open Weekend, and to open up this amazing venue for an event that will highlight as many aspects of cycling as possible – environmental, fitness, competitive and sheer pleasure. Following the recent successes of the GB Olympic cycling team, we hope Bike Blenheim Palace will help raise the profile of cycling and cycling awareness, and will become a firm fixture on the cycling calendar.’
The Event Arena
Bike Blenheim Palace Bicycle Polo Championship
The Bike Blenheim Palace Bicycle Polo Championship will be contested by teams from England, Scotland and Ireland. A fast and exciting game, bicycle polo has a long history and was included in the London Olympics in 1908. Today it is played in over 15 countries. Not only will you be able to watch the tournament throughout the day, you will also have the opportunity to have a go yourself and see if you have what it takes to be a bicycle polo player!
Go-Ride Cycle skills for children
We are delighted the Go-Ride team will join us at Bike Blenheim Palace to hold interactive sessions designed for 5 – 18 year olds. Go-Ride is a cycling programme run by British Cycling though a national network of cycling clubs with trained British Cycling coaches who run a wide range of activities for children of all abilities. At Bike Blenheim Palace, skills tasks will include a slalom course and a limbo pole, which will be a fun challenge for newcomers and more experienced riders alike. Bikes and helmets will be available to borrow for those without their own.
Team M.A.D. – mountain bike stunt display
M.A.D are Europe’s largest and best known dedicated mountain bike stunt & trials display team. Their aim is to promote a healthy and positive outlook on mountain biking and cycling in general through inspiring, educational and breath-taking shows which are not to be missed!
Vintage cycles
In the ideal historical setting of Blenheim Palace, the Benson Vintage Cycle Club, formed in 1958, will showcase a fantastic display of vintage machines from years gone by. Meet and chat with enthusiasts from the club, who will introduce an element of ‘biking’ history to the day.
To register for Bike Blenheim Palace
To register visit www.blenheimpalace.com/bikeblenheimpalace.
For general enquiries about Bike Blenheim Palace email [email protected].
For further information call the Operations department on 01993 811 091>
