But how?
I wonder if it is cheaper to hire a coach[s] and all pile in at the docks or possibly get one from London etc, or will two days hanging around for the drivers be prohibitive? Thinking aloud I suppose it would; but would it not be cheaper to travel as far as the ferry by coaches if poss and get picked up off the ferry rather than pay the IOM Steam Packet co or whatever it's called vast sums just to have a car to drive a small way on the Isle. At the very least we need a shuttle service the other end.
I'm rather keen to go as I rarely go abroad.
It's got to be an outstanding event as Graham top vet is setting it up, and I've been giving him lots of helpful tips on how to deal with the chappies from Endurance Events.

Er I would have mentioned trains, but at two bikes a train it might take a while. Thanks BR for 'getting there'.. Not

But Jerry, surely as hardy Polaris types we can cycle from the ferry at the other end with all our kit on our backs?

Certainly see more people at the prize giving if the coaches didn't start running until after it finished :-)

Now ssomeone else has raised it I'll add my bit. Last weekend I checked out the fare to cross for the E2E. Okay so I wont take the car - but I noticed that bikes travel free and you can get 20% discount for foot passenger parties of 10 or more. That being the case I was going to suggest at the Summer Polaris that we set up a contact point (probably me) who would collect the names etc of those that want to do the E2E and let's give it a trial run. There were more than 10 on that Fery Graham and I were on back in 2000!
And - Whether you are a racer or just a rider like me - the IOM End to End is an expereince in itself, and it will give you a taster of what to expect.

Geoff if you are looking at doing the E 2 E then count me in as one of the 10, I have already looked at the fares and was just considering booking them

plan is to start and finish in Ramsey so you can ride to the campsite or hotel if you go as a foot passenger, we are also looking at transporting luggage to the campsite/hotel
At the moment Graham is talking to a holiday company who is putting a package together to include travel and accommodation.
We have chosen the Easter weekend so that you can travel on the Friday and then return on the Monday. Prizegiving and party on the Sunday night included in the cost of the event instaed of Wilf's.
Not a bad idea to have a summer option if it gets more people there

Let's keep the 2003 Polaris and the 2002 E2E separate and take the E2E off of this thread. I'm happy to colate interested parties in a block booking for the E2E if you want to E-Mail me on [email protected]. Then if it becomes a viable option I'll get back in touch with you - and Graham Hughes who runs it.

Manx E2E - Travel options

The local company who I am dealing with on the Island for the Polaris arrangements is called "Travel Serices - Isle of Man". They put together "package" deals for Manx International Cycling Week already so have experience in cyclists requirements. Call them on 01624-661177 (Judy Arnold) or web site at www.isleofmantravel.com and see if they can fix you up with a deal on the E2E. Note that the E2E travel option (coach + truck) is for collection and return from Douglas only so you would be best to base yourselves there. You do not really need to bring a car as the ferry terminal is in Douglas. If you have loads of luggage, get a taxi to take it to the hotel for you. Either leave the car at Heysham (nr Lancaster) in the secure car park adjacent to the ferry terminal for about �1.50 per day) or in Liverpool (somewhat less secure) in one of the NCP car parks.

As Geoff says, the E2E is a good taster of Manx riding in advance of the Polaris.

Liverpool Lime Street station is only half a mile from the ferry terminal for anyone thinking of doing a "rail and sail" option. Beware the 1-way system, though, which tries to stop you from going direct! When I use that option I usually pay a taxi to carry my baggage and just follow him!

"plan is to start and finish in Ramsey" - that seems to be hell of a long way to carry the kit. The ferry is in Douglas - at least we will get a taste of the "mountain road" before the start of the event?

some clarification please GrahamL - was it a slip of the keyboard?

oops1!
Did I say Ramsey.
What an idiot.
We plan to use Summerland as the event centre and start and finish on the DOUGLAS promenade so there will be no need to take cars over.
Camping will probably be provided FOC at the grandstand start.
An alternative could be to use the IOM TT start line.