Sunday 13^TH July 2014 sees the fourth edition of the ‘Microgaming 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.

230 participants entered in 2013 and the event received some very encouraging feedback with some commenting that it was the most enjoyable day ever on their bike!

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 Christian the level of world interest in Manx cycling has never been higher. Our ambition is that the event becomes a permanent fixture on the UK sportive calendar and will assist in raising funds for future Isle of Man cycling teams at events such as the Commonwealth Games. Microgaming have been Isle of Man Youth Cycling team sponsor for the last six years, and many of their staff are enthusiastic cyclists, we’re delighted with their commitment and support to this event

The promotion supports local charities and Team IOM Cycling. Donations of £1850 & £440 were made to Hospice IOM and Team IOM Cycling from the 2013 event. Both organisations will continue to receive support in 2014.

The Lighthouses Challenge offers three course distances, 100, 57 & 35 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 will take a clockwise route from the historic TT Grandstand in Douglas and takes in over 2,000 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 heads north from here through some beautiful countryside via Colby & St Marks back to Douglas .

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

Both shorter routes should not be underestimated as each holds a challenge or two along the return 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 in 2013 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.

For more information visit www.sasevents.im and click on the event page. There are some great photos of previous events there too!

Info for Riders

Electronic Timing 4 Feed zones Goody bag Fully signposted route. 3 'broom wagons' 3 Motorcycle 'service course' View Britain as you have never seen it before, from the middle of the Irish Sea!