The Zurich Lighthouses Challenge takes place Sunday 3rd July a spectacular coastal ride circumnavigating the Isle of Man.

This classic sportive offers something for all with three ride distances 100+ miles, 57 miles and 28 miles suiting riders of all abilities from the leisure cyclist, E-bikers to seasoned professionals.

On a good day you will be able to see Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales as you ride the roads of the Island.

We look forward to welcoming old and new faces this year! 

The Isle of Man is a beautiful place to ride a bike, on or off road, and combined with fantastic modern era ambassadors such as Mark Cavendish, Pete Kennaugh, Mark & Anna Christian, Sam Brand, Mat Bostock, Amelia Sharpe and Lizzie Holden the level of interest in cycling has never been higher. Combine this with stars from previous years such as Steve Joughin, Marie Morgan (nee Purvis), Millie Robinson & Mike Doyle then it can be concluded that the cycling terrain on the Isle of Man has something to do with the ‘recipe’ that produces these outstanding riders.

The event is now an eagerly awaited permanent fixture on the isle of Mans sporting calendar.

Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man

We are proud to be partnered with Cruse for this years event, where we will be helping raise funds for this fantastic Isle of Man based charity who undertake timeless work helping families who have lost loved ones, in addition to the support they provide bereaved children via Cruse Kidz. 

The event is aiming to make a donation to Cruse and we would encourage participants to make a pledge via our website or ride the event on behalf of Cruse and do you own fund raising. 

We will also be holding the first ever Lighthouses Cruse Raffle where everyone entering  will receive a free ticket.  There will be some great prizes up for grabs and there will also be an opportunity to purchase more.

All money raised from the event will be kindly matched pound for pound by the Z Zurich Foundation, the charitable foundation for Zurich Insurance Group up to a maximum of £50,000.

Classics encouraged!

Whatever distance you chose we invite all you admirers of classic bikes and kit to ride the event dressed in your favourite era kit and ride your precious classic/vintage machine.

Ride Your E Bike

If you are new to cycle sport and ride an ebike then this Challenge ride is waiting to welcome you. This category was introduced in 2018 and was welcomed by many who took the chance to take part. Why not come and join the fun? There are more ebikes than 'standard' bikes being sold these days, so we'd really like to welcome more ebike riders to the challenge. 

Full Circle Route

The Full Circle Route takes a clockwise route of the Island covering over 100 miles and over 2000 metres (6800 feet) of climbing.

Heading south to the southernmost tip of the Island at the Sound, the initial stretch is classic spectacular coastal road along Marine Drive which is closed to traffic. The Southern classic climbs to Cregneash and the Sloc are covered on the way to the feed zones at Port Erin and St Johns.

Back for 2022, the Sloc climb will be over closed roads which will further enhance the magic of this assent.

Heading to Peel and then the Point of Ayre riders can recover a little 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, St Johns and Ramsey plus a rider relaxation zone and more food at the finish. 

Half Circle Route

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

The Half Circle route continues to follow the main course to the second feed station at St Johns and returns to Douglas via Archallagan, Braddan and Abbeylands.

Take care! The Half Circle Route packs in plenty of climbing over its 57 miles and includes the steepest climb of all routes just after the feed zone at St Johns.....just what you don't need on cafe legs!

Quarter Circle p/b Dot Performance

Covering the shortest distance of 26 miles the Quarter Circle Route takes the journey south and ends at the Port Erin feed zone. This option is suitable for families with children who enjoy leisure cycling.

For those tackling the short route you finish the hard riding at the Port Erin feed station which is a great strategy for novices as you are not over committing yourself.

When you have enjoyed the delights of the feed station you will be greeted by the Dot Performance team with your finishes medal where you can make your way 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 fare for the train ride. The train station is only 400 metres from the Feed Zone.

The train will deliver you to Douglas Station, situated in the heart of Douglas from where you make your own way back to the official finish which is only a couple of mile away from the station. 

Refreshments will be available at the feed stations along the route. The feed stations are legendary and synonymous with this event! Some participants are rumoured to be returning just to visit the feed zones again! We promise you will not go hungry.  This are based at Port Erin, St Johns, Ramsey and the Finish!

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

When you pass through the finish gantry you will be presented with your well-deserved medal.

All courses are supported by motorcycle ‘service course’ and ‘broom wagons’….for mechanical issues.

St John Ambulance are in mobile attendance to deal with any grazes and scrapes.

You can rest assured that you will receive a warm and friendly welcome on the Isle of Man and you can look forward to some great 'banter' on your journey around 'the rock'. 

There are hundreds of photographs on our facebook page, Isle of Man Lighthouses Challenge.

If you cannot enter on line please contact us by email via the contact page or telephone 0044 7624 456146. We can arrange for 'paper' entry subject to an extra charge. 

IMPORTANT NOTE UNDER 16'S

All riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their safety and conduct on the road during the event.

ENTRIES CLOSE AT 23.55 ON 19 JUNE 2022 AND ARE LIMITED

TRAVEL PACKAGES

 Please contact either

Isle of Man Steam Packet Holidays our travel partner for all travel related matters

 https://www.steampacketholidays.com/Isle-of-Man-Holidays/Festivals_and_Events

Isle of Man Travel & Event Services  Isle of Man Lighthouses Challenge (iomevents.com)

 TRAVELING TO THE ISLE OF MAN – COVID19

 This is subject to change.  Please visit here for the latest information Travelling to the Isle of Man (gov.im) 

Info for Riders

Entry fee includes:

• Electronic Timing
• Free entry to our charity raffle for Cruse Bereavement
• Event Tshirt
• Fully signposted route
• Feed Zones
• 'broom wagons'
• Motorcycle 'service course'
• Victorian train return to Douglas QUARTER ROUTE ONLY
• Massage at finish
•  Finishers medal

View Britain as you have never seen it before, from the middle of the Irish Sea!

ENTRY FEES

• Full Circle £36
• Half Circle £31
• Quarter Circle £25

ENTRIES OPEN ON 1st February 2022