As a self-governing British Crown dependency laying claim to the UK’s longest-running parliament and a three-legged flag, the Isle of Man is far from ordinary. Situated in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland, the island spans 52km by 23km, making it just slightly more than one third the size of Hertfordshire. It is home to about 86,000 people, and while it may have a reputation for attracting tax evaders and petrol heads, I am here for the cycling and to gain an insight into how the island has bred some of the best British cyclists over the years, a certain Manx Missile and Millie Robinson coming to mind.
The first climbing test comes quickly – straight out of Douglas the gradient kicks up aggressively
Now in its 11th year, the Isle of Man Lighthouses Challenge begins in the island’s capital, Douglas, and heads south, skirting its way clockwise around the coastline, visiting seven lighthouses before finishing back where it started. There are three route options – 100 miles/161km, 51 miles/82km and 26 miles/42km – and anyone on any sort of bike is welcome.
‘We’ve been trying to push e-bikes and leisure cyclists,’ says organiser Ollie Last. ‘That’s why we have three routes, so that more people can get involved and try it for themselves. This year we have had 80 riders doing the quarter route, which is double the normal
