Cycling is like ‘marmite’ to many of us, there is no escape from the fact that it’s invigorating and often described as the ‘new golf’ for those in their 30’s. The Island has toyed with the idea of becoming a cycling destination for many years. The challenge is making the Isle of Man match the appeal of venues in the UK. Wales, Scotland and the Lake District. Those jurisdictions have invested heavily into country cycle ways and mountain bike parks. The Island has chosen not to do this properly and instead, allowed volunteers to create amateur trails around the forests. The Government blockage on this front has to be cleared, there has to be an appetite for some serious creativity here as we have a ‘God Given’ Isle for a cycling offering.
To begin with, the holidaying cyclist loves a challenge. It’s in a rider’s DNA.
We have it here on a plate. A challenging 105 mile coastal route with electronic check-ins will bring the bikers over in big numbers. Make a £25 charge per cyclist to use purpose built tracks that can be shared with walkers easily. Completion earns a certificate and a treasurable memento. All fully integrated with an online platform which displays great stories, adventures and imagery with the rest of the World.
The attraction of a dramatic cliff top ride interlinked with castles, the Great Laxey Wheel, attractive harbours, coves and beaches. It could be one of the most irresistible rides in the World of cycle tourism.
The cost incurred for creating a cycle way wouldn’t be that great. We have the natural resources in abundance. A truly bold move by our political masters to integrate the trail building with parole and probation offices. Ex prisoners being constructive will put the Island on the map, allaying the farce of a TV ‘Mockumentry’ that ridiculed our attitude to justice. I’d like to see our ‘reformed’ trail builders rewarded appropriately and supplied with a free bike for good work!
We’ve suffered years of excuses for not engaging with those trapped in the ‘offending cycle’ in this way. I can’t see many trapped in the justice process turning down a chance of being involved if conditions were right. This would be a wonderful news item for a restorative program.
The Coastal Cycle Route may take 3 or 4 days to complete. Admittedly, clever use of our buses and trains to cater for cyclists will have to be facilitated. Bus companies around Europe manage to accommodate bikes, our Manx transport service needs to modernise in attitude. The idea of having log cabins themed in the style of a Tholtan interspersed along the route is an exciting though. It really couldn’t be that difficult to do and add a new dimension to the Isle of Man adventure. Technology would be able to protect and manage such sites. Charging points for electric bikes wouldn’t be asking too much.
Our ‘ACE CARD’ is the Snaefell Mountain Railway. Creation of cycles routes from the summit stretching in different directions across the Island will offer our visitors a unique experience. The trails will be graded like ski runs in difficulty. A tram ride up the Mountain, refreshments at the cafe followed by a choice of rides. Take a moment to dwell on the endless possibilities and muse on what a message it would send. The UK winter ski market is well over 1.5m holiday makers. Design this right and we could capture 2% of that market for a summer adventure.
Rob Arnold is an accomplished mountain bike ‘expert’ on the Isle of Man. A former rider guide for treking in the French Alps, he has a great understanding of the tourism potential here on the Rock.
‘I really like the ‘seven kingdoms’ idea, the peak of Snaefell being a starting point for hundreds of KMs of trails. If done right, a series of meandering trails off the summit would be superb. They’d have to be sympathetic to the environment and not leave a huge spoil down the side of the hill, but it would certainly be doable. There’s trail builders who the forestry commission have used and many a private company who have created the likes of bike park wales etc over the years’
Rob certainly knows what he is talking about as his undergraduate dissertation was on the subject of sports tourism and the economic benefits that sports bring to the Island.
River runs also appeal greatly, cyclists love riding adjacent to open water. Every possible reservoir and river could house a bike path where appropriate. The Sulby Valley, Silverburn and around the Capital would entice the cyclist and reduce time on busy roads.
Our approach to creating cycleways could be classed as one farce followed by another. Appointment of an enthusiastic politician to supervise this simple concept of keeping safe, getting healthy and making cycling more fun isn’t rocket science. Our Manx Government has demonstrated an antagonistic resistance to cycling for many years. It’s quite bewildering.
The centre of activities housed in South Barrule are a natural draw for the off road cycling fraternity. The vision of Carl Underwood and others, is a big part of the success in this plantation. The combination of multiple activities for all age ranges makes it a centre for tourism. Perhaps one day, a chalet village will be created as it seems a natural fit for the landscape. This appears to be blindingly obvious and should happen.
The Island has a lively cycling heritage and many proponents. For the life of me, I find it difficult to understand why our Government hasn’t engaged further with Mark Cavendish? One of the World’s most famous riders and Manx through and through. The multi race sprinter and bike icon has a following of millions around the World. I’m a big fan of Mark and without being too honest, he has an edge over the likes of Froome, Wiggins and others for appeal.
How difficult would it be to name a cycle network after the guy? It would seem reasonable that Mark would be open to such a concept. he’s acted as a valued ambassador for the Island for many years. He has Manx passion running through his veins.
We have the cycling option ready to go up to a Gold standard. In view of the challenges ahead for generating income for our Island, we can use the ‘lost year of 2020’ as time to pull together this opportunity. A strong message of the Isle of Man resilience and ability to survive in the tourism market. In addition to that, the health of our residents will improve with more activity and less reliance on vehicles.
In the first 4 months of sales on the Isle of Man, Cycle shops are reporting record numbers and there has never been as much road use for bikes. The E bike has introduced a new market to the art of cycling. This is growing at rates where the Government are duty bound to act and improve the active travel offering for all.