Very tempted by this event. Can anyone give me any info about the event – whats the course/route like, is there a campsite/ accomodation that everyone stays at, do most people go across as foot passengers on the ferry. Just trying to get all the info together so i can plan how i’m going to do it.

thanks

rich

Done it 3 times but the last time was 2006 so my info may be out of date…
We got the Saturday ferry as foot passengers & stayed in a B&B in Douglas.The bikes got put on a lorry from Douglas to near the start at Point of Ayr & we followed on a coach.Same set up to get you back from the Calf of Man.
There used to be a bit of a meetup on the Saturday night & the prize presentation on the Sunday night.We returned on the Monday morning boat.Nice friendly atmosphere all weekend,the terrain reminded me of the moors around Rivington/ Darwen.
We liked it so much we did it 3 times.

Did it a couple of years ago and arrangements exactly as above. I went as a foot passenger from Heysham (plenty of side streets to park the car for free for a few days).
First c.1/3 is on road and rest almost all off road, some of it using tracks you can’t otherwise access. They tweak the exact route each year.
Surprising number of spectators cheering you on during the road section. And lots of jelly babies at the feeding zones.
You can either ride like your pants are on fire and knock it off in under 4 hours or take a rather more relaxed approach.

Before you commit to the end to end have a look at the manx 100 which takes in better terrain, is very well run and a brilliant experience.

That manx 100 looks excellent, but unfortunately July is not possible for me – next year maybe!

thanks for all the info so far.

Done 2.

Nice thing is unless your winning it you won’t get back in time for the ferry home so the Sunday night prize giving is really well attended.

Fun riding, lots of people if you are quick then try and get going up the road to avoid some of the congestion on the first climb, after that traffic wasn’t much of an issue. It would be grim if the weather turned…

Did it 3 years in a row, last one was 2013. Went over as foot passenger from Liverpool, arriving on the island Saturday afternoon and leaving again early Monday afternoon. Ferry has been absolutely rammed with mountain bikes on all the crossings I’ve made, I’d take some padding to protect your forks/frame on both the ferry and the lorry transport to and from the start/finish (I wish I had the first year I did it!).

First year we camped (in one of those wooden Pods) at Gelnlough, but this was a bit of a trek up out of Douglas so for 2012 and 2013 we stayed at the Palace Hotel and Casino on the front at Douglas. The event is very well organised, signing on is on the Saturday evening where you get your race number and timing chip, they also put on a load of pasta. There is also loads of food at the awards event on the Sunday night, all included in the event entry fee!

I’m pretty slow going up hills so got caught in some bottlenecks the first year after the initial relatively flat road section. The course changed slightly every year we did it, and these bottlenecks and some parts of the course that cut up badly got less and less by 2013. I know there has been a lot of work on some new sections of trails and the end of the event no longer finishes with a climb. In fact, I reckon I might give it another go next year.

Here’s my footage from 2013 https://vimeo.com/74233440

It’s a great event and really well organised, however it’s really expensive when taking into account ferry and accommodation costs. If you’re taking a car it’s about £200 on the ferry plus £70+ for a room. First time I did it we went over for a couple of days just for the event and camped, second time round 2 years ago we went over as a family stayed in a reasonable hotel in Douglas (The Ascot) got the shuttle bus to Point of Ayre (which you pay extra for) whilst my family went off to do their own thing. They then met me at the finish line 4 hours later! We made a 5 day stay off it and did the usual sights such as the Laxey Wheel, Snaefell, Peel castle etc.. A great place to visit but pricey just for the event on it’s own IMO. Much cheaper as a foot/cycle passenger of course.

I know there has been a lot of work on some new sections of trails and the end of the event no longer finishes with a climb. In fact, I reckon I might give it another go next year.

That’s a real shame as it was always a great battle at the end of the event and the calf of man wasn’t so far away for a nice view!

Done it 3 times.
Quickest on and off the island is from Heysham meaning only 1 night on the island.
If it’s still the same from Liverpool it’s 3 nights on the island.

A great event but if you’re slow expect a bottle neck traffic jam or 2 on the first singletracks

Did it last year for the first time, cracking event really enjoyed it, the weather was excellent. Well organised, only a few little bottlenecks on the 1st climb after that all good. Got the ferry over Saturday afternoon, went back Monday morning (Heysham) stayed in a lovely B&B in Douglas with bike lock-up and did the transport option from Douglas. The free food at sign-on was ok (small portions), food at the presentation was very good. I think the end has changed for this year with a descent rather than a climb to the finish line.

…there’s also a couple of reasonable feed stations and lots of local interest/support.

This year sees a new chunk of singletrack to replace farmers fields about 2/3 way through and a “secret” new route into Port Erin for the finish…

Not entered this year’s yet and I’ve ended up running the finish by default a few times, but there’s still time….

Worth it if you can add a few days to do some of our excellent little Island’s tracks and plantations

…I think they are also doing extra steam trains back to Douglas too rather than all coaches & wagons for the bikes if that helps!!!

Pretty much all covered above, but a boat over Saturday returning on Monday would be best. Bikes can be carried for no extra cost.
Stay somewhere along Douglas promenade for convenience for both boat and event transport.

The event starts with a a flat road section (14 miles I think) followed by a mixture of farmland, green lanes and singletrack.
There were some bad bottlenecks a couple of years ago when they tried to put some singletrack in too early, but this has now been amended. As long as you’re in the top half you should miss any real traffic.

It’s very much a cross country ride, with quite a bit of road to start. New bits added for this year (still got a sore back from a mornings trail building) Try manxtreme.com, they have a link for travel and accommodation quotes. It’s a great atmosphere, with 1500 + entries. If you fancy something a little more challenging, there is a 2 day enduro on the 15\16 August, I rode the 2nd round event on Sunday, and after a week of decent weather, the trails were brilliant, so August should be even better