Any more information on planned assistance/deals to get to the island?

Is there really only 300 spaces or is this to get people signed up quickly? Either way I would love to sign up now but plans to help us get there would help - Steam Packet aren't exactly cheap.

Arranging travel deals to the IoM event.

When we started discussing staging the Polaris on the Isle of Man - way back in 2000 (before Foot & Mouth then wiped us out for the original date of Easter 2001), we thought how nice it would be to present competitors with simple pre-negotiated travel/accommodation options; With perhaps 3 prepared packages.

However, when you get into the details, there are actually loads of different permutations;
Some will prefer to fly as the higher cost is preferable to taking time off, whilst many will prefer the slower boat option. At least on the boat you can bring extra luggage without any problems.

Then there are choices of which day to travel and from which port etc. Some will prefer minimalist accommodation whilst others may prefer 4 or 5 star!
Then there are the endless special requirements;
Can I bring the dog?
Can I bring my Auntie?
What if I decide to stay all week?
Can I bring a van with 10 bikes inside?
etc, etc,

Also, we have a diminishing hotel stock on the Island. Over recent years, many of the large, cheap hotels have simply been knocked down to make way for more profitable (and less seasonal) alternatives such as apartments or up-market business hotels with conference facilities etc.
This makes it very difficult to block-book large numbers of places at "standard rates".

All of the above lead us (me) to the conclusion that we were best off leaving this side of the event in the hands of the experts which is why we are asking all competitors to make arrangements through Travel Services IoM (01624-661177) and talk to Judy Arnold. Judy has details of all available travel and accommodation options at her fingertips and will be able to tailor arrangements to suit individual cases. Also, you will be much better off booking this as a combined package which will work out considerably cheaper than arranging separately yourself.

What I do urge you to do is to consider the IoM Polaris differently to the normal Motorway dash to and from the event. This is a 4 day package over a Bank Holiday with a social event and buffet thrown in. We are also looking to have a local band at the Sunday social. As people will not have to dash away as soon as they have finished the event on the Sunday, there will be a completely different atmosphere and time to chill out - rather than having to drive several hours feeling knackered with work the following morning.

Lastly, when weighing up the "cost" of the event, consider this; I travel from the Island to 2-3 Polaris events each year and a comparison I find very useful when "justifying" this is to compare the ferry, B&B etc with the average outlay for a tank of petrol. This can be �40 or more yet somehow we pay out at the forecourt as a matter of course.

As we get closer to the event, I will be adding "local" details which may be of use to visitors on the MMBC web site at www.manxmtb.org
E.g. There are two outdoor centres on the Island which have between them around 50 or so places for basic accommodation. If people felt it worthwhile to make use of these then I will make arrangements.

GrahamIOM

Thanks for that. Can you confirm the anticipated base to enable accomodation to be booked? Until last year I was more used to motorised bikes rather than the acoustic versions and I have previously stayed at a lovely cottage near balaff bridge. If it were anywhere near close I would like to book it.

Not looking forward to the climb up Fairy Glen without the engine!

JJM

The base for the event will be Douglas.
It has to be really. Most of the accommodation and facilities are to be found in Douglas, as well as being the location for the port.
The actual event centre is at "Summerland" which is at the North end of the Promenade. Hotels and guest houses abound along the prom so everything will be centred around an easily accessible area. Once you have conquered the logistics of getting here then the rest is easy!

You mentioned Ballaugh - which is diametrically opposite Douglas and about a 20 mile ride in either direction. Probably not ideal for this one!

Another avenue that I will explore is to see if any of the local cyclists would be willing to put Polaris people up for the Friday/Sunday. I know this happens a lot for Cycle Week and there is a lot of camaraderie amongst the locals.

This may have been said- but the weekend of the polaris is the same wkend as the big Manx sports event, Manx Mountain marathon, hockey tournament, duck race(!) etc. I've had probs getting B and B in Douglas/ Ramsey during that weekend before- I guess the big communal halls are a good idea.

Does anyone know if the usual polaris tradition of a field with free camping will be available for this event. Will it be available for all 3 nights?

Camping Field details

As the event Centre is at Summerland in Douglas, there is no adjacent camping field.

However, you can make use of the good facilities at the TT Grandstand Campsite which will indeed be open over the whole event. For enquiries about the camp site, you need to phone (01624)621132. Note that Tents and Camper Vans are OK but you cannot bring caravans onto the Island.

The campsite is at grid ref 383773 and the event centre is at the North end of the promenade (opposite end to the Sea Terminal) at grid ref 393773.

I understand that camping is �7 per night.

GrahamIOM

Please would you also confirm if the normal "Wilderness Camp" on the Saturday night applies, or is it going to be run like a summer event?

Thanks

Wilderness Camp as normal. This is definitely not a summer-style event . . .

The overnight camp is remote, high and has spectacular views - which means that it could also be exposed! I can't say more.

Graham
I thought we had negotiated a free deal at the Grandstand campsite for tents?
If we did then it would make the event no more expensive than a normal PC for teams to leave their cars at Liverpool or Heysham and go over as foot passengers.
PS how did the E2E go this year?

Graham,

I am checking this one out now - the IoM is in hibernation at the moment but I will get an answer on this asap.

Sorry to come to the tipic 'late' bute we're just about to get our entry off. Does anybody know if there is an 'easy' ferry over, and what the sketch is for a good pi$$ up on the evening after the event? also is anybody going over in a big van so that most of the 1000 people can go on as foot pasengers & then put a load of stuff in his van!

C

As for "Easy" ferries, the choice is the larger boat from Heysham (3.75 hours) or the Seacat from Liverpool which is 2.5 hours. Bring a good book with you and your map so you can spend time marking up, although there is talk of pre-marked maps (don't quote me on this). There is also a bar and pretty good food on the boats so just relax and enjoy the trip!

The event centre is at Summerland on Douglas Prom and that also has a (large) bar that will be open all the time. There is a large concourse area at our disposal over the weekend (Friday to Sunday) and we will be adjourning to Summerland again on the Sunday for a food and social evening.
Douglas promenade is also packed with restaurants and pubs.

Rather than harping on about not coming, can we have some more constructive suggestions such as suitable entertainment for the Sunday evening - e.g. Background Music, Live band, Strippers, etc (well they do in TT week).

We have also asked Summerland to make space available for people to park their bikes overnight so they don't have to cart them into B&B's etc. More details to come later.

I understand that people will need details of where the local facilities are so will be posting (hopefully) helpful details on the local web site at www.manxmtb.org as the event approaches.

GrahamL,

>If we did then it would make the event no more
>expensive than a normal PC for teams to leave
>their cars at Liverpool or Heysham and go over
>as foot passengers.

Have you also negotiated a free deal on the Ferry too?

GrahamOIM,
Any update on the free camp site or do we have to book up and pay?
Also your manxmtb link doesnt work.

Bj,

Hmmm, The grandstand campsite, which is both in Douglas and well equipped, looks as if users will have to pay the normal fees which is �7 per night.
It was expected that most pepole would opt for the Ferry + B&B option as, by booking through the acting agent (details on the entry form), you find that the combined deal is much cheaper and makes camping barely worthwhile. If you are determined to camp, there are other sites around Douglas (provided you have a car to get to them). I will get the numbers and post them on the Manx site. The link should have taken you to www.manxmtb.org

Thanks for that Graham, I will get in touch with the camps site and book up.
I'm not going to gripe on about the cost. I am coming, however the prices we were quoted were for car + 3 nights B&B �159 each, plus entry �68, plus petrol (from north of Scotland) �100, plus food etc. That would take the event to over �500.
I'd hate to think what the full cost would have been if we weren't getting a "deal" from the travel agent!!
Thanks again and see you there.

GrahamIOM,

I've tried to stay out of this "can't afford to go, its too expensive" debate, instead looking forward to the opportunity to ride somewhere new that I wouldn't otherwise have done.

However, having tried to make meaning arrangements for getting to the event could you please tell me just where exactly have Polaris "negotiated" special rates for Polaris competitors?

1. I can book a ferry cheaper on the net, than I was quoted by the appointed agents, Travel Services.
2. The B&B booking assumes that you want to stay for the whole weekend, incl. Saturday night - at the full price - �42/room/night doesn't feel very dicounted to me.
3. The 'alternative' is the campsite at the Event Centre which instead of being free as in other events is �7/night, and seems to offer nothing in the way of security for surplus kit for entrants.

I can't quite see how a B&B at �42/night "is much cheaper and makes camping barely worthwhile"

I hope you've booked a good spell of sunny weather - I'd hate to go to all this trouble to ride in the p$ss$ng rain for two days!

IanB - where can you book the ferry online? Anyway I can save some money, I'll take, as at the moment it's looking like I won't be there. A damn shame really as I've been looking forward to this since last year.

I still can't work out how �21 (campsite) vs �126 (B&B) "is much cheaper and makes camping barely worthwhile"

I second JamesR's question on the other thread regarding somewhere to leave surplus kit - I take it silence is a "NO - at your own risk" then?

Jimmy

We will make arrangements for you to leave surplus kit at Registration. We used to provide this facility for kit and car keys but this requirement has not been asked for recently. It is no problem to do this.

GrahamL

Thanks for providing the facility to store surplus kit - it will save me lots of hassle, and is much appreciated - thanks.

Jimmy,

To book the ferry online goto:

https://www.scferrybookings.co.uk/isleofman/direct/en/bkg_first.asp

for timetables etc:

www.steam-packet.co.uk

In response to the various threads . . .
Thank you for the valuable feedback, and be assured that I (we) are taking notice.
Various possibilities are being looked into at the moment and it is hoped to be able to provide alternatives to overcome the logistical problems being experienced!
Please be patient for a few days - and watch this space for an update soon.
BTW, I understood that Travel Services had block-booked ferry space so that those people booking through them should get the cheaper fares.

Following local discussions, I can now announce that we have been able to resolve the issue over camping arrangements.

It was initially thought that most competitors would want to use B&B's but it is clear that many still wish to use the traditional Friday night camp option, particularly in order to keep costs down.

We have arranged to provide a free camping ground at a football ground close to the event centre. This is off Blackberry Lane at grid ref 393776 which is convenient to the Summerland event centre at 394773. About 500m away in fact.
The football club has a good clubhouse with showers and toilets (as well as separate ladies facilities).

Camping will be on the football pitch itself which is level as you might expect. There is hard standing for cars - you will not be able to drive onto the pitch!

The clubhouse also has a games room and kitchen area where we will have tables and chairs and we plan to arrange breakfast on the Saturday morning.
We will have use of the clubhouse all weekend and it will be possible to leave kit during the event at the club house or at Summerland. Those staying on for the Sunday night social will be able to camp there on Sunday as well.

Just one thing - the club have asked that bikes not be ridden on the pitch. It is OK to push bikes to and from your tent but save the riding for the event!

Obviously, if you prefer to be away from the event centre, the TT Grandstand camp site at 383775 still offers excellent facilities including electric hookups for camper vans but you will have to pay the going rate of �7 per pitch per night.

One more thing - to help those arriving as foot passengers by bike and planning on camping, we intend to hire a van to transport gear from the ferry terminal (383753) to the camp site.

Unofficially (for the moment) I am also in discussion with IoM Government to see if they are able to extend access (for the Polaris) to the "Homestay" scheme that operates during TT & Grand Prix. This is where visitors can stay in local homes, typically for �15-�20 per night depending on facilities. This is to help accommodate the huge number of visitors to the Island during that time and it works very well. At the moment, they are considering the option. I will post information here as and when they get back to me on this. If it were made available to us, this would help out a lot with finding cheaper accommodation. Looks about 50-50 at the moment, aided by the fact that Easter is a busy time and the hotels are filling up already...

I hope this information helps.
More to follow.

Will the football pitch need to be booked in advance or will it be on a first-come first-serverd basis?

I can forsee a mad rush from the ferry to the field if that's the case!

There will be plenty of room for you, Huw. There might even be room for a game of football - but you will need to bring your own ball.

Or have you got a really really big tent Huw?

After posting that message I thought to myself "a football pitch is really quite large, isn't it?"

I was rubbish at sport in school, hence my lack of comprehension as to how many times you can fit a tent onto a football pitch.

I have just tried to book to go out on the ferry from Heysham on Good Friday at 215 in the afternoon. Te ferry is now FULL so does that mean that,
1 I need to apply for a refund,
2 I cannot bear to get a ferry at 2am (the only other Heysham ferry) and miss a night�s sleep so again apply for the entry fee refunding,

or

3 Have the organisers booked a block of seats and there�s a secret?


Chris

Apparently Travel Service IOM have made a block booking. I would expect to be able to get a ticket through them. If not, then you and a lot of other people are completely screwed, or will have to travel from Liverpool.

Well, I've done every PC starting with Kielder in Spring 96, and so have various of my mates, but none of them are prepared to put themselves through the hassle & cost for the IOM event. The above postings seem to bear this out. Me? I don't really fancy the solo option, not least no-one to share the travel costs with. And why are entries limited to 250 teams rather than the usual 500? Even if the event sells out it aint gonna have the same feel as a usual Polaris. Especially if most people are scattered around in B&B's. Where's the craic in that? And before you all hit the keyboards branding me a miserable old git - I see the updated entry list shows a paltry take-up figure as at 7 Feb. Maybe everyone will enter at the 11th hour - but maybe not if the ferry places are taken by "normal" Easter holidaymakers. Me? I'm opting for the Navitac as a substitute.

When this event was first muted, I noted that I felt that it would be more suited to a summer style event.

I know, that as usual everyone will attack this, but at the end of the day this is surely a business venuture as much as anything else?

There seems to be limited interest from the usual spring polaris competitors. I know at least 4 couples who would have come accross for the more relaxed event.

Never mind, we've booked skiing now.

I guess if you're prepared to sacrifice the car for the weekend, and travel as a foot passenger (at �42pp) then getting to the event costs little more than when I drove to Kielder in '96.

It seems that PC are trying to make things easier for us on the island by (now) providing a free campsite and also a shuttle van to shift kit from the ferry to the event centre - taking the car isn't necessary now anyway.

If a lot of people don't bother to go because of 'a bit of hassle and expense' it will be a shame. Maybe IOM lacks something by way of 'appeal' - perhaps the Isle of Lewis would have been a better bet ;)

I have just spoken to Judy Arnold at Travel Services IOM who said that all ferries from Heysham are now full and that there are only a few seats from Liverpool left. I told her that I thought TS-IOM had block booked a number of seats and she said that they only ever had booked a handful. She also pointed out that Easter is a very busy time, all the ferries are ALWAYS full then and there is a students sports event on the island at that same time this year too.

I suppose that given the Polaris website has only logged 80 ish entries so far all the rest will be good swimmers. It�s a pity that the event is descending into farce; I would have liked to have done it.

K

Following a phone call from "Chris" saying the ferries were full, we contacted the Steam Packet Company and spaces are still available from Liverpool at 18:30 (friday) Also 02:15 from Heysham.
We will try to update you as we get the information and we will look into opening up the campsite on Thursday.

Don't forget to book your ferry before you send in an entry form.

The Isle of Lewis is actually relatively flat and
devoid of bikeable tracks. How about Lewes,
then we can all nip down to Eastborn for a
swim?

Polaris � Isle of Man
If you�re doing it and have read the posts above about ferries being full, it�s not as bad as it sounds. There are still places on the ferry from Liverpool at 10.30 and 18.30 on the Friday and on the ferry from Heysham at 02.15 on Thurs and Fri. The IOM travel service (01624 661177) sorted us out for sailing with car plus 3 nights hotel accommodation for �142 each � not bad for 4-5 days holiday over Easter weekend. Admittedly the hotel room won�t be much use on the Saturday night, but you wouldn't expect to be able to get only part of an Easter W/E.
It would be around �60 each less without the car and if we camped. Come on folks it will (as usual) be a great event, in a new area. Challenge Events have hit problems due to changes of staff on IOM and obviously Foot and Mouth (which put the kaibosh on the event in 2000) and they have done a lot to overcome these (I don�t work for them!).
If you�ve entered already, ring IOM travel soon. If you�re thinking about it � go for it, but organise the ferry first!

We're going from Keswick area, Friday to Monday and may be able to offer lift for 1-2 foot passengers (with bikes obviously).

There are spaces on the 1200 ferry from Heysham - if you're travelling by car!!! The foot passenger spaces are taken.

I've just booked 0215 out on the Friday and back at 0900 on Monday from Heysham to Douglas. �38pp.

I had to book on the phone - the website booking system is sh1t! Very clunky and error messages everywhere.

Andy, which ferry(s) are you on?

Chris & Phil

Chris
1030 Fri from Liverpool, 1945 Mon from Heysham. Taking the car so we can do the touristy bit on spare days. Staying at the Hotel Eidelweiss in Douglas. If you've not got a crossing, ring up like Keith above!

After much deliberation I've decided to go. Just booked through the IOM travel number - 10:30 from Liverpool has no foot passenger spaces remaining. Got the 18:30 from liverpool, returning 07:30 Monday morning - no drinking for me then!

It's also gone up to �54 per adult as the pre-booked places have gone.

7:30 Monday morning?

I booked online through Steam Packet (Which cost me �41.16) and they said that the crossing is at 7am.

Seeing as getting my team mate up for a 9:15am start on Saturday and Sunday is going to be difficult, leaving Monday morning should really be a hoot.

Some people have said they are experiencing difficulties booking sailings to the Isle of Man. The reason for this is that all the spaces allocated to �Travel Companies� have been filled. The remaining foot passenger spaces are being sold directly by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. only. I have spoken to them and they have assured me there is availability on all sailings for foot passengers on the Friday from Liverpool & Heysham and for the return on Monday. The places are limited so BOOK NOW!!! Call 016424 661 661
(If you are taking a car then there are plenty of spaces)

Andy,
we're on the 2.15 Friday Heysham, then at the same hotel as you and back on the same ferry as you. really looking forward to it now that all the travel shenanigins is sorted! should be a bit diferent

Chris (& Phil)

I have received a few queries from those planning on coming Thursday as to whether they can camp at the football ground for the Thursday night. I have contacted the manager and the answer is - YES. The toilet and shower facilities will be available and it is ony a short ride (or even walk) from there to the shopping area, pubs, clubs etc. I also hope that, after the various conversations with the IoM special events unit and Steam Packet (see Rog's note above) that most of you will now be able to get here relatively cheaply and on the sailings you want. Having played Travel Agent for the last 2 weeks I now need to concentrate on the course!
I plan to update the MMBC site (www.manxmtb.org) over the coming weekend with an FAQ's and detailed itinerary for you. Meanwhile - book early to make sure you get the sailing you want.

I`m on the island over the easter weekend to do the Manx Mountain Marathon...an end to end FellRace on the Saturday.
This race has run every year for 20+ yrs.The organisers have had NO CONTACT from Polaris to discuss possible clashes or re-assure them the routes are planned to avoid conflict.
Many fell-running regulars won`t know about Polaris & might try to book their usual trip in a few weeks only to find no spaces available.
Was it ignorance or arrogance (see previous discussion on prizes) that caused Polaris to pick the busiest weekend of the island`s sporting year?
I`m surprised they didn`t go for TT week, plan routes crossing the TT course & demand cancellation of the TT!

Cheek by name and nature eh Phil!

The weekend was chosen NOT to clash with any other event but to give teams a range of alternatives to get there. We have been talking to IOM special events now for THREE years and I am sure that MMBC (GrahamIOM) know what is going on over the weekend.

Maybe it is the fellracers who are not making their presence known, if they leave their bookings late it is not our fault.

If you think that Easter is the Island's busiest weekend then you are obviously speaking out of the wrong orifice and have no idea how many people go for the Grand Prix, TT, Manx Rally etc not researched fact.

I take it from your comments that you have retired from the PC.

Dear Phil,
You are incorrect - I have had discussion with the fell race organisers and there should be no conflict. They run up the side of hills to the summit whereas we stick to the tracks. Also, they only run on the Saturday. The only conflict is in your head.

Sorry guys,not what the organiser told me.He told me he had had no contact from you & was worried about possible conflict on a number of the tracks linking the summits.
Graham i was going to volunteer to marshall on the Sunday.i may be cheeky & I may be a troublemaker but i`d still d be happy to do my bit to help inany way I can to make the event a success.
As at 0900 this morning the steam packet say there are no places on boats on the friday other than the evening one,& that they NEVER hold spaces -they are all available thru their agents...the plot thickens.

Further to my earlier post I have spoken again to steampacket & Travel Services.As at1635 Monday they have freed up a number more footpassenger spaces on Friday sailings,& Travel Services have just booked one for me.Troublemakers have their uses!!

Phil,
Your offer of marshalling for the event would of course be most welcome. For the benefit of others viewing your postings, I repeat that we have been in touch with Ritchie Stephenson, the organiser of the Manx Mountain Marathon. They expect about 130 people and we are happy that the Island is big enough to accomodate us both. Will see you at Summerland . . .

On a different front, will the checkpoints be released on Thursday evening or Friday morning?

With Roger's approval, I would like to post checkpoints on the MMBC web site during the week before. Given that it is virtually impossible for you to recce the area in advance I don't see why this should not be, say, Wednesday evening.
I also think it would be a good idea to post grid refs of tracks that are in/out of bounds.
E.g; Footpath at 380828 is out of bounds (that is a real reference by the way, so you canb start now). My reasoning is that you will have a few hours on the boat and it would be well spent doing some map marking and reduce the queuing at the master maps. All you will have to do is check your maps against the masters. As a regular traveller on the boats, I appreciate the value of distractions!

Hurray a bit of sense at last!!!!!!

Graham, I to have travelled on the ferry to and from the IOM many times. If it is full, which is very often is at weekends there is little space to even sit down let alone spen time marking maps. As there are other sporting events on then I would predict a packed ferry crossing. Will there be an area set aside?

on a lighter note, the riding in the IOM is excellent and we can't wait to go, just watch out for a bearded bloke that rides and antique pace - O graham that must be you!!

Nothing antique about any PACE.

still a cutting edge piece of aluminium.

Wish I hadn't sold mine....

Yes but you were too fat for yours, thats why you now rise a full susser with extra large disc brakes!!!