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Over 15,000 people turned up the annual Bike Blenheim Palace event this weekend, an increase of 88 per cent on last year.
Now in its fifth year, BBP expanded to two days this year and incorporated a number of races (including the Brompton World Championships), rides and retailers. Top cyclists like GB Paralypic and World Champ Sarah Storey (for Viored) took part – winning the fastest female for the second year – joined by GB Paralympic teamates Lora Turnham and Fiona Duncan. UK Time Trial Champion Michael Hutchinson (In Gear Quicvit Trainsharp RT) and European Junior Time Trial Champion Joe Perrett (Cyclos Uno) also took part in competitions as did six of the Australian Para Cycle team.
Jon Allan Butterworth, Mark Colbourne, Shaun McKeown, Rachel Morris, Karen Darke and Crystal Lane used the Time Trial as a warm up the forthcoming London 2012 Paralympics. Mountain bikers were catered for with a new 40km off-road sportive.
Anna Glowinski, presenter of ITV4’s Cycle Show and Mule Bar Girl rider, was filmed taking part in the BWCs for a feature due to appear on the show on August 27th. Other TV shenanignans were had with Rory McGrath and Will Mellor filming as part of their forthcoming Channel 5 series ‘Rory and Will, Champions of the World’.
“We are totally blown away by the success of the event this year," enthused event director Paul Orsi. "It was an amazing weekend celebrating all elements of cycling, there were some weird and wonderful sights. It was fantastic to see such a huge turnout, and a wide range of people at the festival that just gets better every year.”
Sunday saw 1,600 riders tackle the 60 and 100mile road sportives into the Cotswolds, while later that afternoon the cycling routes in the estate were opened up to thousands of families who took advantage of the one weekend of the year that cycling is permitted in the Park.
The significantly expanded event village included the likes of Scott, Mavic, Schwalbe, Enigma Titanium, Rotor, Adidas, Magura, Cinelli, Campagnolo, Ebikes Juice Lubes, a ‘Look Mum No Hands’ cycling café, the Kiddimoto inflatable race track and balance bikes for the under fives, and ‘Wheels for All’ project for cyclists with disabilities.
Breast Cancer Care is the official charity for Bike Blenheim Palace. 124 riders took part in the second Pink Ribbonride, covering 26.2miles.
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