The Lighthouses Cycle Challenge 2024

The Lighthouses Cycle Challenge 2024 will be releasing their 2024 dates shortly!

In the meantime, you can check out the details from 2023, here:

Weekend outline (2023)

Saturday 1st July – Pedal Party

Saturday 1st July sees the Isle of Man’s first ever Pedal Party in Castletown from 1.30pm until 5pm.

A small loop around Castletown will be closed off for families and children of all ages to come and enjoy an afternoon of cycling.

All bikes are welcome: the more outrageous – the better! From tandem bikes, shoppers, scooters, electric bikes, unicycles, trikes or your normal trusty stead and no lycra required. Fancy dress is encouraged as the organisers have prizes for those who get into the spirit of it. Children are absolutely encouraged to take part – although no races please – this is about fun on two-wheels.

Cycle 360 will be there all day with a pop up bike shop, an on hand mechanic for questions and help, PLUS it’ll be our first outing for Stella – our brand new cafe on wheels! Expect proper coffee and comfort food.

Other local food vendors like our pals at Secret Pizza Company will be there plus Jacksons IOM with various electric vehicles to gander at, plus art for kids in the square.  There will be live music and lots of action from local Castletown businesses.

It’s a day not to be missed.

This inaugural event is completely free but there will be plenty of opportunity to donate to local charity, Isle Listen – providing vital early intervention mental health support and training in schools, the workplace and community.

Sunday 2nd July – The Lighthouses Challenge

The BIG EVENT(s) kicks off on Sunday morning! 

1. The quarter circle event – covers the shortest distance of the three routes at 17 miles, taking journey south, ending in Castletown square
   This option is perfect for families with children who enjoy leisure cycling.
2. After following the main course, the Half Circle Route makes its way to the second feed station at St John’s and returns to Castletown via Archallagan, Douglas and Ballasalla. It’s 51 miles and packs in plenty of climbing, including the steepest climb of all routes just after the feed zone at St John’s…!
3. The Full Circle Route is 100 miles and takes in over 2,000 metres of climbing.  The route takes a clockwise route of the Island starting in the south at Castletown, and heading to the southernmost tip of the Island at The Sound, the initial stretch is a classic and spectacular coastal road. Back for 2023, the Sloc climb will be a closed road, further enhancing the magic of this ascent.

Entries close this Sunday

Entry fees are as follows, and you can enter here. Entries close this Sunday 18th June!

• Full Circle £45
• Half Circle £36
• Quarter Circle £25

You can enter on an electric bike, as a team or as a solo in any of the above routes: the Lighthouses Challenge event is truly an event for everyone.

If you’re spectating, encouraging and supporting family, friends or the riders in general – there will be plenty of action in Castletown pre and post rides with Cycle 360 there all day as a pop up bikeshop, with an on hand mechanic nearby. PLUS our mobile cafe experience, Stella will be making her second outing of the weekend following the pedal party on Saturday. Expect proper coffee and comfort food all day!

We can’t wait to celebrate with all the riders – it fills us with so much excitement just picturing everyone’s faces at the finish line; the joy you’ll feel when completing a challenge like this, is immense!  Go for it and we’ll be there to cheer you on.

And if you’re still thinking about it, enter NOW before it’s too late!

Preparing for the weekend

Cycle 360 has your ride nutrition, sorted.  Come and chat to our expert team, shop the specific Lighthouse Challenge nutrition bundles we have on offer for all riders, online or in store.  Remember: by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail – we’ve got you!

In addition to nutrition, it’s important to get the legs turning before the big day.  The more miles you can get in now consistently, the more confident you’ll feel about the epic challenge that lies ahead. Our coffee club ride this Sunday 18th June is the perfect opportunity to test the legs on a road bike adventure that’s just one hour long, with a free coffee on us at the end.  It’s also a great opportunity to meet other cyclists that may be taking on the challenge too.  The social element of getting through a 50-mile or 100-mile ride is an absolute game changer, trust us!