Thousands of cyclists head for Blenheim Palace this Sunday

Thousands of cyclists are expected at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire this Sunday for Bike Blenheim Palace 2009. Celebrating cycling in all its forms, Bike Blenheim Palace will include a 20km Time Trial, leisure rides, Sportif and provide the unique staging for the 2009 Brompton World Championship. It will also offer a rare opportunity to explore the grounds by bike on Sunday.

There will be a host of activities aimed at everyone from die-hard cyclists to families at the second ever Blenheim bike festival. Last year’s event attracted around 4,500 people either taking part in one of the events, or watching races and bike-related activities.

One of the country's biggest and most diverse cycling festivals, Bike Blenheim Palace incorporates a 20km time trial, a cyclo-cross race, 60 or 100-mile cyclo-sportive, family ride and the Brompton folding bike world championships.

The time trial is a full-on race against the clock, with more than 350 riders registered to take part. New for 2009, the cyclo-sportive has more than 1,200 riders split between the 60- and 100-mile routes. Both loops start and finish at Blenheim, in-between the riders will enjoy/endure a scenic route through the undulating Cotswolds.

One of the most memorable events of last year's Blenheim event was the folding bike race, which even had triple Vuelta a Espana winner Roberto Heras taking part.

There will be a family ride for those who want t take things a bit less strenuously, and this ll be in aid of the Have a Heart charity. And there will also be a bike polo match, with the chance for novice polo players to pick up a mallet and have a go.

Oxford Cycle Workshop, which works with schools to encourage children to get involved in cycling, will be organising the bike polo and helping fix bikes on the day.

Throughout the day there will be a whole host of stands and entertainment in the main arena, centrally located within the event village, including vintage bikes, a mountain bike stunt team and British Cycling's 'Go Ride' cycle skills for children, The Company of Cyclists, plus retailers and exhibitors.

Throughout the day there will be a whole host of stands and entertainment in the main arena, centrally located within the event village, including vintage bikes, a mountain bike stunt team and British Cycling's 'Go Ride' cycle skills for children, The Company of Cyclists, plus retailers and exhibitors.

Tickets for general and family cycling cost £10 for adults, £5 for children and £25 per family. To find out more about the day visit www.bikeblenheimpalace.com.