Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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gregoryoftours
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Joined: 22 May 2011, 7:14pm

Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Post by gregoryoftours »

I'm going to the Isle of Man for about 3-4 days on 3rd Aug - I'd be really grateful if anyone has recommendations for good rides there. Prob gonna camp or b+b (anybody stayed in some good ones?) in one place so circular routes would be good. Hoping to miss the motorbikes as the Grand Prix doesn't start until the 16th.
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TrevA
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Location: Nottingham

Re: Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Post by TrevA »

Been to the IOM 5 times on a bike. We always stayed in B&B's in Douglas apart from the last time, when we camped at Kirkmichael. The TT course is worth doing once, the classic 7 mile climb from Ramsey to the top of the mountain and the swooping descent back into Douglas.

There's plenty of little country lanes too. The Tholt Y Wiil climb from Sulby Glen to the top of the mountain, the ride up from Union Mills to Injebreck (these are all hilly rides). There are some nice lanes going down towards Castletown and Port Erin. The roads around Jurby in the north-west are quiet and flat. The coast road from Douglas going north round to Ramsey via Laxey is a nice ride and not too busy (most traffic goes over the mountain).
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pal
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Joined: 22 Mar 2008, 11:49am

Re: Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Post by pal »

I've stayed at this campsite (near Ramsey), which was simple, but good, and relatively well-placed for rides round Sulby Glen (etc) -- though obviously less convenient for the south end: http://sillymooscampsite.co.uk/.
DaveGos
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Joined: 13 Nov 2009, 12:40pm

Re: Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Post by DaveGos »

We went 2 years ago and going again this year. Just stay B and B in Douglas , its central and where the ferries arrive, and if it rains as its bound to you have a dry facility and can wonder round the town etc .

As has been said the TT course is a good easy ride , although its a climb its very graded.

We also did the whole Island in one ride - taking the outer most road all the way its about 85 miles

You get fantastic views of the sea on most rides , that's one of the reasons I like it
gregoryoftours
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Joined: 22 May 2011, 7:14pm

Re: Isle of Man - where's good to ride and stay?

Post by gregoryoftours »

Hey thanks for your information everybody, I'll check all of this stuff out and decide what I'm gonna do
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