Bike Blenheim Palace Sportif - 4th October 2009
This is a new element planned for 2009 BIKE BLENHEIM PALACE and one which adds a tough but enjoyable challenge. There are two routes (60 and 100 miles) which will start from the event village and journey through the beautiful Oxfordshire Cotswolds. The end of the route will bring the cyclists back into Blenheim Park and with the finish at the event village where participants can meet up with friends and family. We expect to have over 1000 competitors taking part in this event.
The inaugural Sportif at BIKE BLENHEIM PALACE is set to become an integral part of the hugely successful ‘Festival of Cycling' at the stunning Blenheim Palace.
Sportif riders will have access to the BIKE BLENHEIM PALACE event and its resources at the start/finish. This magnificent route is a tour of the Cotswolds and has breathtaking scenery and beautiful villages throughout. There are two routes to choose from; 60 miles or 100 miles. With a comprehensive support package for riders this challenging Sportif is one of the best available in the national calendar.
Route Description
Route from Start to Rest Stop
Both distances start in Blenheim Park near the Palace and exit through Ditchley Gate at the northern most tip of the park. The route then goes through the undulating Cotswold countryside including the villages of Stonesfield, Charlbury (11.2k), Spelsbury, Chalfont Green, Cornwell (27.1k), Adelstrop and Broadwell (34.2), before reaching Stow on the Wold. The route turns right close to the famous Market Square and drops down to the rest stop at Lower Swell (38.3k)
At the Rest Stop riders will be provided with hot and cold food and drink. Medical care and cycle repair facilities will be available.
At the rest stop the route divides. The 100 mile Course travels an additional 59.3k loop to return to the rest stop for a second time, before rejoining the 60 mile course to follow the joint course to the finish.
Long Course Loop(Rest Stop to Rest Stop)
From the rest stop there is a climb straight away of Swell Hill and Chalk Hill, past the Cotswolds Farm Park and onto the highest point of the course at Cutsdean Hill.
From Snows Hill the route descends to Bury End where the route turns left across level ground to Wormington. The route through the Vale of Evesham is relatively flat until it reaches Alston (72.1k), when from Gretton and Winchcombe it is undulating until the four climbs including Belas Knap and Roel Gate are reached. The route then travels through Guiting Power before returning to the Rest stop at Lower Swell. (97.6k)
The Rest Stop food and facilities are again available to riders after the long lap.
After the rest stop, the 100 mile and 60 mile routes combine to return to the finish.
Combined route from Rest Stop to the finish.
The route is again undulating and travels through Lower Slaughter and then through Bourton on the Water (Short route 49.9k and long route 109.2k).
Bourton-on-the-Water straddles the river Windrush with its series of elegant low bridges beside neat tree-shaded greens and tidy stone banks and has been described as the 'Little Venice' of the Cotswolds. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region being serviced by the many shops, cafe's, and attractions with traditional Cotswolds buildings standing back from the river.
The route then travels to Great Rissington, Great Barrington. Taynton (Short route 63k, and long route 122.3k ), Asthall Leigh, Minster Lovell, Delly End (Short route 82.8k and long route 142.1k), East End, Long Hanborough (Short route 91.9k and long route 151.2k) and Combe before returning into Blenheim Park at Ditchley Gate to the finish. (Short Course 97.6k , 60.6 miles and long course 162k, 100.6 miles).
The total ascent and decent for the 60 mile route is 1208m.
The total ascent and decent for the 100 mile route is 2128m.
Route Management
Route Management and Safety will be provided by Trafeco who are the country's leaders in cycle event safety. Trafeco's portfolio of events include, The Tour de France, Tour of Britain, Etape Caledonian and Exmoor Beast as well as most of the UK's major Triathlons.
To warn motorists of the presence of the event the course will have advanced warning signs placed along the route two weeks before the event, and ‘SLOW' and Cycle Event warning signs throughout its length.
On the day, the event will be comprehensively signed, and have static marshals on all essential points. The marshals will be supported by the BC National Motorcycle Escort Team who will be patrolling the course to enhance safety and to ensure that riders in difficulty are cared for. There will be a number of sweep vehicles to pick up riders who wish to drop out for whatever reason and transport them and their cycles to the Rest Stop and Finish. Riders will be constantly monitored throughout the event by the motorcycle team and medical care teams.
Riders will be given the control telephone number to ring in case of difficulty.
More info and entry: www.bikeblenheimpalace.com
