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!