I notice from the pre printed entry form that the dates for this event are 18th to 21st April i.e. 4 days.

Does this signify a different event format or are we just stating that the event is on the weekend of 18th - 21st (being a long weekend)and is in fact still just a two day event.

The event format is the usual 2 days, Saturday & Sunday but it is a 4-day package with travel both ways and Sunday night social.

we selectef the Easter weekend to allow people to travel Friday and return Monday with a bit of a psrty on a sunday night for a change. It is possible to travel overnight friday and return sunday evening if time is of the essence.
As for cost if you plan to camp on the Friday night, free of charge, and go over as a foot passenger there is not much difference than if you had a long drive.

Lovely - drive miles to the ferry terminal, park up, travel across as a foot/pedal passenger with minimal kit (in the dark, unless I use days of my valuable holiday allowance just getting there and back), erect event tent in the dark, pack up now damp event tent and remaining rations, ride the event (the good bit, if you are not too knackered), travel back as a foot passenger, knackered, dirty, wet, change in the car park, drive miles back..........I don't think so. Or take 4 day break and pay through the nose for car on ferry and B&B. No, I'm not that deperate (I've priced up 5 days in the Alps for less); there are plenty of alternatives where the travel and logistics are not the biggest part of the weekend.

Just to put in a good word for IoM: we went over to do the end to end a couple of years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it took more time and money than doing a similar event on the mainland would do (and we live within cycling distance of the ferry terminal). That's life. My take on it is that since I quite fancied the idea of visiting IoM at some time in my otherwise shallow and limited life, it made sense to combine the trip with an event... OTOH if travel isn't your thing, go for a ride round the local woods.

Can't do the Polaris this time, which is a shame.

I was looking forward to the IoM challenge, as I'd like to go to the IoM - dunno why really, but I just want to go there.

Sadly it clashes with work, so I can't make it. NAVITAC clashes too, so I'll have to wait for the summer one...

Dear PW,

If you are that determined to go against the flow and make life as miserable as possible for yourself, suggest you stop at home?

Miserable, moi? Mais non, just suggesting there are cheaper/better/less hassle alternatives for us mainlanders.
And rather than stay at home I've just booked a long weekend in the Dolomites for the same dosh. Cheerio, and good luck!

PW
What's with the negative post? If you don't want to do it, don't. I'm sure the Italians will love to hear your gripes.

Yes,but time goes on,& with only 8 entries & no new entrants in the last 2 months the message is becoming clear-it`s VERY unlikely there`s going to be an event,so don`t go wasting money on travel
until/unless there are some guarantees.
Alternatively DO book & keep in mind the Manx Mountain Marathon the same weekend which happens every year,is ridiculously priced at£19 including
prizegiving evening(with correct results!),evening meal & T-shirt.
It`s hard,but fun,well organised,transport to & from start/finish & you`ll not have to push,pull or carry a bike.
If you can`t cope without 2 days of pain try the Castle to Castle walk on the Monday.
Loads of fellrunners go over every year from England & they`re so tight they won`t normally pay a fiver for a race,so the IOM must have something special to offer.
PS,if I`m not persona non grata I`m available to marshall for Polaris on Sunday!

Manx Mountain Marathon is great as a backup- (not as good as polaris though). Little bit of easy nav, good hills and 32 miles. Anything from 5 hours to 10 hours. That's why I think the polaris on IoM could be excellent.

I understand that entries are 50+ but Polaris are having computer server problems so that is why the web site is not up to date

At least with only 50+ entrants there won't be any problem getting a good pitch at the overnight camp...

Better book early or there won't be any duvets left at the overnight. Have faith!

I really want to do this event, but the added cost is making it difficult - and no, I don't just fill up the car without thinking about it!

Having spoken to the tourist info people, it appears the chances of getting one night in a B&B over that weekend are nill - she doubted very much anyone would take a one night booking.

With this in mind, coming over without a car is going to be awkward, given we'll be wanting a few extra bits and bobs for the Friday and Sunday nights. So:

1) how far from the port is the event centre?
2) will the campsite used on the Friday & Sunday be secure when it's almost empty on the Saturday - I'm not a big fan of leaving kit and a tent when know one is around.

Cheers
James

P.S. For those interested in prices, for a car and 2 people from Liverpool it was £148 for the 10:30am sailing from Liverpool, 7:00am return on Monday.

James,

Please can you try doing as it says on the entry form and ring Judy Arnold at Travel Services IoM (01624-661177). They are acting agents for the event. Accommodation and ferry space has been reserved in advance for this event and the combined accommodation/travel option is much cheaper than going it alone.
One night B&B may be difficult - the event is based around Friday to Sunday using B&B so you can leave gear in the room over the event period with a social event on Sunday night.
Ferry terminal / Event Centre / Campsite are all in Douglas in a 1 mile triangle. I will put a map on the mmbc web site at some point to highlight the points of interest . . .
Hope this helps.

James,

Please can you try doing as it says on the entry form and ring Judy Arnold at Travel Services IoM (01624-661177). They are acting agents for the event. Accommodation and ferry space has been reserved in advance for this event and the combined accommodation/travel option is much cheaper than going it alone.
One night B&B may be difficult - the event is based around Friday to Sunday using B&B so you can leave gear in the room over the event period with a social event on Sunday night.
Ferry terminal / Event Centre / Campsite are all in Douglas in a 1 mile triangle. I will put a map on the mmbc web site at some point to highlight the points of interest . . .
Hope this helps.

I spoke to Sally at Travel Services who quoted the ferry as being £44 per person travelling as a foot passenger (bikes are free). Accomodation can be booked at about £21/per person per night based on two sharing.

For two people that puts the cost up to around £170 for the weekend. Travel Services didn't seem to be aware that people wanting a B&B on Friday night would be otherwise engaged in a two day event from Saturday morning and so wouldn't need a B&B Saturday night.

To pick up on what JamesR asked (which seems to have gone unanswered):
Will there be a secure lock-up for people travelling as foot passengers and not wanting to fork out for a B&B so they can leave surplus non-polaris kit while they do the event?

GrahamIoM,

I did speak to the tourist info people on the number you said, not sure it was Judy Arnold - I think I spoke to someone called Lisa.

She was aware of the event, but not of any special deals etc for combined travel and B&B.

On the other thread GrahamL mentions something about a free campsite at the event centre - is this available?