Transport:
For those who have booked to use the bus and truck transport service, please arrive at the Lord Street, Bus Station car park (250m from the Sea Terminal) by 7:30 am. It will take some time to load the bikes onto the trucks, and they will be stacked herringbone style. Please bring with you any protective covers for your bike as the event cannot supply. Please pass your bikes up to the guys loading the trucks and help them where possible. It takes approx. 55 minutes to get to the Point of Ayre. The Bus and Coach will drop you off a short distance from the start to avoid congestion. When you have collected your bike, you should ride up to the start area.
Gear Transport:
If you want us to transport equipment and clothing to the finish (advisable if we have poor weather) please put it in a labelled pack and bring this to the starters who will put it in a van and take it to the finish for you. Note that gear will be taken to the field where the timekeepers are. In the event that you don’t make it to the finish, we will bring any unclaimed articles to the evening presentation at the Villa Marina. It is not possible for us to transport equipment to intermediate checkpoints. You should carry everything that you will need en-route.
Checkpoints:
There are 3 manned checkpoints: One at Brandywell Road (30km), one at St. John’s (42km) and the other at Eary Cushlin (51km).
These will have water to refill your bottles and energy bars. They are intended to supplement your rations and you should carry adequate supplies to meet your needs rather than relying on these. Checkpoint closing times are:
CP1. Brandywell @12:30pm
CP2. St. John’s @ 1:30pm
CP3. Eary Cushlin @ 3:30pm
This year it is intended to strictly enforce the cut-off times at the intermediate check points. It is unreasonable to expect our dedicated marshals to be out on remote hillsides until early evening to ensure the safety of a few stragglers. If you arrive at a check point after the cut-off time you will be advised to retire from the event and your number board will be removed. If you choose to continue, you will do so at your own risk and will not be included in the results.
Please note that St Johns is the last check point with easy access back to Douglas.
Should any of the marshals at these checkpoints pull you to one side stating you are out of time, they are doing it for your safety. Please adhere to their advice and surrender your number and timing tag.
Gates:
There are no gates prior to checkpoint 1. We aim to marshal all critical gates this year.
Volunteers will be helping to marshal these so please thank them for holding them open for you as you pass. Where we have permission to leave a gate open for the event, these will be tied open with barrier tape. If gates are closed, please observe normal trail rules by either climbing over them or opening/closing them. If you find an open gate that is not tied open, please close it – this is important to retain good relationships with the many landowners whose property we pass over.
Spectators and Support Crews:
One of the best aspects of the event is the large number of spectators who turn out to support family & friends. However, if you are spectating, please make sure that you park your vehicles considerately. The road crossings have limited parking and your vehicle could cause an obstruction. Again, the increased numbers will exacerbate this.
To improve safety & alleviate traffic pressure around the course there are certain points that have been designated One Way. You will need to be aware that to get to these points you may have to use an alternative route.
Return transport:
The transport will depart from Cregneash car park at 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00 and return you to Douglas Bus Station. We will also have a minibus as well to help get any stragglers home. Please help us to load your bikes back onto the truck. It takes about 45 minutes to get back to Douglas. Make sure that if your bike is loaded onto the truck, you leave on the accompanying coach! Due to the amount of riders requiring transport back, riders are advised to take the first available bus back after they finish.