Around 400 cyclists will take to the Islands roads this Sunday for the Zurich Lighthouses Challenge. The 11th edition of the event sees the annual coastal sportive Grand Depart at 8am with a mass start from North Quay Douglas, before heading to the south of the Island.
What has become a traditional event in the Manx cycling calendar as a start to the Tynwald bank holiday, there are 3 different rides within the event which is of a non-competitive nature.
The DotPerformance Quarter Circle that finishes in Port Erin is aimed at novices and leisure cyclists and has seen record number of entries of around 80 riders sign up. A half circle of the Island at 50 miles and the full circle that takes in all of the Islands costal roads and Lighthouses at just over 100 miles finishing on North Quay in Douglas where entrants are presented with their finishes medals!
This years event is in aid of Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man, a local charity who support adults and children who have suffered a bereavement.
The public are being asked to expect large amounts of cyclists in all parts of the Island during the day, mainly in the south of the Island where they will be in closer proximity during the morning.
Organiser Ollie Last says “the cyclists will be under an escort in the early stages of the event whilst they start to naturally spread out. Although the route is well marked with signage, we kindly ask motorists to be extra cautious on the roads. The cyclists will be finishing back in Douglas on the Quay, so there will be a lot of cyclists coming into town via the Peel Road during the afternoon from 12pm until around 18:00”.
Around 100 cyclists are coming from off Island.
There are various traffic management measures in place to help facilitate the ride, mainly on North Quay and the Sloc which will be closed to traffic and Mull Hill in Port Erin that is one way in the direction of Port Erin.
Registration takes place this Friday at Bikestyle in the Market Hall between 4pm and 7pm. For any last-minute people who fancy taking part, please get in touch with the organisers ASAP who may be able to facilitate a late entry.
For more information about the ride, please visit the events facebook page or website www.lighthouseschallenge.im
