One of the Island’s biggest and most popular mass participation sports events, the Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge will go ahead on Sunday 10th September with some exciting new route changes for the 21st anniversary running of this great event.
 
A fresh start

Special permission has been granted by the Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Manx National Heritage and local landowners to allow the event to pass through The National Nature Reserve at The Ayres.

A picturesque and bio-diverse part of the Island, this new off-road start will reduce the initial on-road section by approximately 8.7km.

This modified route will rejoin the Coast Road at Smeale and will follow the same route as the past few years to Ballaugh Village.
 
A new route to the hills.

The first major climb of the event will take place on the main fire road through Ballaugh Plantation.
 
It is hoped that this route modification will help to alleviate congestion which was experienced by some riders in previous years. As the first major climb is within Ballaugh Plantation, every rider is free to practice this section prior to the event.

For riders that don’t want to do the full distance, there is a half-distance event starting in St John’s. The half-distance event is open to adults and juniors (junior riders must be aged 14 years or over on race day).

The End2End organising committee have been working hard behind the scenes on various other tasks including trail building which should help avoid overly boggy ground for this year’s event as well as making more of the legally accessible route rideable all year round.

In addition to the start and first ascent changes, this year’s finish will, once again, be on Port Erin promenade, which has proved to be popular with riders and spectators in recent years.

Martin Hill, a member of the End2End organising committee, said: “The End2End team is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the route and make everyone’s experience that bit better each time.”

With nearly 500 already signed up to the famous End2End mountain bike challenge, it’s set to be another exciting day for both riders and spectators all over the island and with the entries closing at midnight 27th August 2017, there’s still chance for even more to sign up, and get involved and ride in the biggest mountain bike race of the year. You can enter at www.end2end.im which also has all the event information and updates.

Photo - Ben Thomas, winner of the 2016 Manx Telecom End2End Mountain Bike Challenge.