Sunday 12^TH July 2015 sees the fifth edition of the ‘Microgaming Isle of Man Lighthouses Challenge’ sportive event supported by Microgaming Isle of Man.

This is a classic training ride from bygone years taking in the Island’s lighthouses (where possible!) and most of the Island’s coastline. The long route is not for the faint hearted and on a good day you will be able to see Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.

365 participants entered in 2014 and the event received some very encouraging feedback with some commenting that it was the most enjoyable day ever on their bike and that it was fantastic value for money!

The Isle of Man is a beautiful place to ride a bike, on or off road, and combined with fantastic ambassadors such as Mark Cavendish, Pete Kennaugh, Mark & Anna Christian the level of interest in Manx cycling has never been higher. Our ambition to establish the event as a permanent fixture on the UK sportive calendar is well progressed. The event will continue to support the Isle of Man Cycling Team at events such as the Commonwealth Games. Microgaming continue to heavily support Isle of Man sport and many of their staff are enthusiastic cyclists who take part in the Challenge, we’re delighted with their commitment and continued involvement with this event

The promotion also supports local charities, Hospice and Isle of Man Cycling benefitted from the 2014 promotion.

The Lighthouses Challenge offers three course distances, 100, 57 & 37 miles. Additionally the longer course can be ridden as part of a team. The teams will be allowed to changeover at a point of their choice as long as it’s at any one of the official checkpoints.

The full course takes a clockwise route of the Island from the historic TT Grandstand in Douglas and takes in over 2,700 metres of climbing, including the Southern classic climbs to Cregneash and the Sloc. Participants can then recover over the northern plains before tackling the shorter but steeper climbs along the north east coast back into Douglas.

There are three well stocked feed stations en route to enjoy at your leisure located at Port Erin, Patrick and Ramsey with additional supplies at the finish

All courses will have the same start and finish in Douglas and follow the main route south to the feed station at Port Erin.

The short route separates at the Round Table and South again to the Railway Station at Port Erin for transport back to Douglas on the Victorian Steam Railway. What a unique way to end a great day out! The entry fee for the short route includes the train ride and is set at £32.

The Medium route continues to follow the main course but turns short of Peel after the second feed station at Patrick and returns to Douglas via Archallagan, Braddan and Abbeylands.

Both shorter routes should not be underestimated as each holds a challenge or two along the journey!

All entrants, individual and team, will receive an event ‘goody bag’.

Refreshments will be available at the feed stations along the route. Indeed the food stations were so well received (again) in 2014 that some participants are rumoured to be returning just to visit the feed zones again!

Timing is handled by Manx Timing Solutions using state of the art equipment which records your passage around ‘The Rock’ and provides detailed splits for each sector of the route.

All courses are supported by motorcycle ‘service course’ and ‘broom wagons’….just in case!

Free massage at finish HQ, where you can also change (although the facilities are not ‘private’ there are ‘quiet’ areas).

Enter at www.sasevents.im via the link to British Cycling or www.manxtreme.com

You will be made most welcome on the Isle of Man.

For more information visit www.sasevents.im and click on the event page. There are some great photos of previous events there too! Alternatively go to Facebook sasventsiom or The Microgaming Lighthouses Challenge by SAS Events.

Info for Riders

Entry fee includes: > Electronic Timing > 4 Feed zones > Goody bag > Fully signposted route. > 3 'broom wagons' > 3 Motorcycle 'service course' Victorian train return to Douglas SHORT ROUTE ONLY View Britain as you have never seen it before, from the middle of the Irish Sea!