The Blenhiem Palace Ride
happy rider
Posts: 9
I am going to sign up for the 60 mile ride at Blenheim Palace in October. Is there any one out there that did it last year, an can tell me what to expect? 
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Comments
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I didn't ride the Blenheim Sportive last year so can't comment on the organisational side of things, but I have registered for it this years and I've since ridden the course a couple of times (based on last years route) as I live in the area, it should be a good one.
You'll pass through some beautiful countryside and quintessential Cotswold villages, there's four main hill climbs, two of which are pretty testing (to me anyhow) and no flat sections of any note to relax on. There's very little traffic, and probably less than 5 miles of A road to contend with, some of the roads are not in very good shape at the moment.
The 2009 route passed both the Cameron and Clarkson residences and very close to several other 'celeb' country piles so bring your camera/eggs!0 -
many thanks, it sounds like it will be a challange for me, though were i live it is very hilly. But what is life without a challange.0
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I've signed up for this too. First event of any significance apart from a charity ride last year since I had a stroke this time in 2009 - so now I'm wondering if I should have gone for something a little less taxing! Ah well, paid my money now so head down and training it is then......0
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I did the Blenheim 100 miler last year, damn nearly killed me!!!!! It was my first ever sportive and I had only been riding for 7 months so I was woefully unprepared (and 3 stone heavier than I am now!) but I got a great sense of achievement when I finished. The route was great, 4 pretty tough hills for someone of my experience, great food stops and signage and marshalling, all in all something I would recommend, hope to do it again this year The problem is we are not eating food anymore, we are eating food-like products.0
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i did the worcester 50 miler on the the 4th july. made big mistake, took my mountain bike, instead of my racer, took me 4hours 8 mins, an nearly killed me, but i thought if i could do that far on that, then 60 miles on a racer should be easyer. so bring it on 0
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I did the 100 mile route last year. The 60 mile route is the same as the 100 miler for the first 30 or so miles, to the food halt. There’s nothing particularly taxing on this run out, save for some undulations to get you warmed up. The food halt was well stocked last time – as many bacon rolls & cups of tea, coffee & soup as you fancy, plus some energy drink being dished out by the sponsors. All of this stuff is there if you want it; you’re perfectly at liberty to ignore it & stick to what you’ve brought with you.
From the food halt you either head out on the 40 mile additional loop that brings you back to the food halt, or take the shortcut straight back to Blenheim to do the 60. The 40 mile extra section takes in a couple of decent hills, one of them at Belas Knap is a bit of a snorter, but it’s doable. The run back is quite hilly, no Cat 4 climbs but enough to test you and let you know that you’ve done 100. There’s a smaller rest halt (water & stuff) about halfway round the extended section but most riders will be carrying their own stuff and won’t need this. It’s handy to replenish the bottles and stick a Nuun tab in though. This 40 mile section brings you back to the food halt, where you might be lucky and manage to grab another bite if there’s any left. Best not rely on this though. From the food halt rejoin the 60 mile course for the run back to Blenheim.
The route really is superb, testing in places, and a few places where you can eat the miles up reeling in riders who’ve gone off at a pace and blown up. Marshalling & signage is bang on – virtually every junction had someone on it to warn of traffic etc. From memory traffic was very light throughout so the route is well chosen in that respect too, even when it passes through Bourton On The Water.
Do a search for a thread on here from last October. There was quite some discussion on it, pre- & post- event.
Edit - found it.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=126479470
