We offer special three-day packages for cyclists taking part in the Island’s cycle events

Whether you are into road cycling or mountain biking, the Isle of Man offers some of the UK’s most challenging yet beautiful rides and has produced some of the most talented professional cyclists of the current era, Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh to name but two.

From the gentle rolling roads through the picturesque villages of the northern plains to the demanding ascents of the South and Centre of the Island, there is something for everyone.

Many of these routes are a feature of the Island’s annual cycling events. The cycling year kicks off with the May Bank Holiday Appleby Sportive: with four timed routes from 38km – 118km in length, it offers various levels of challenge from the relatively flat and scenic short route through the North, to the 1500m of ascent which features in the long route. Along the way it takes in popular local climbs such as the 8.2km Cat 3 climb of Druidale, the Cat 4 climb of Slieau Whallian with its 22.6% maximum gradient, and on the way back the notorious Sloc climb – a long though stunning climb beginning at Port Erin which provides panoramic views over the South of the Island and vicious 17% kickers to test the legs.

The Cyclefest Sportive of 12-14 May 2017 follows a similar route over the northern plains to Druidale but takes in the three ascents of the Cat 4 climb up to the Round Table before reaching the notorious Cat 2, 6.2km climb of Injebreck. Culminating in a brutal 25% gradient this is considered by many to be the most challenging ascent on the Island and comes at the end of the Cyclefest’s 80 mile Gran Fondo Sportive.

The Microgaming Lighthouses Challenge on 9 July 2017 is a 103 mile round-Island route which takes in many of these challenges during the course of its visit to 7 of the Island’s lighthouses. The short and medium routes omit the North of the Island and, though avoiding some of the more demanding climbs, still provide a challenge for all levels of ability.

This provides just a flavour of what the Island has to offer. The Island has continued to build on its distinguished history of hosting excellent cycling events and this year offers one of the most exciting and extended programmes so far, including:

Thrills and spills for mountain bikers:

• 1/2 July 2017: Longest Day, Longest Ride, a 24 hour endurance mountain bike event to be held at the Conrhenny Plantation
• 30 July 2017: 2017 British Cycling National Mountain Bike Marathon Championships (to be held in the Island for the first time this year) on the Manx 100km route
• 10 September 2017: Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge, starting at the Point of Ayre in the North and ending at Port Erin (a couple of miles from us) in the South

Challenges for the kings and queens of the road:

• 1 May 2017: Appleby Sportive. Various routes from 38-118km
• 12-14 May 2017: Isle of Man Cyclefest – the Island’s 3 day highlight cycling festival. Various events for all abilities and disciplines including the Storm the Tower Hill Climb, the Battle of Sky Hill mountain bike race, and the Piccolo, Medio and Gran Fondo rides for road bikes.

The three events also incorporate a competition class which forms part of the Isle of Man Cyclefest Championship

• 22-25 June 2017: HSBC UK National Road Championships. The time trial is on 22 June, a mass participation sportive is being held on 24 June and the road races on 25 June
• 9 July 2017: Microgaming Lighthouses Challenge Sportive event. Round-Island sportive, various distances: 28, 57 and 103 miles
• 23 September 2017: Isle of Man Cycle Challenge and IOM CC 24 hour challenge, a 1 – 3 lap sportive on the Isle of Man TT course

Further details on each event can be found on the website bearing the name of that event.