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Nocturne cycle race this Saturday
NOCTURNE: The island's first ever evening cycle race
PORT ST MARY leads the way in the first ever evening cycle race to be held in the island.
Event director Steve Shimmin, from the Isle of Man Cycling Association, said: ‘This is the first time there has been a night time event staged like this – Port St Mary is leading the way.
‘There will be a floodlit area and music going on to complement, it is a community event, it will have a carnival atmosphere – it’s an end of season celebration.’
The start and finish of the circuit is by the Albert pub, and it goes along Athol Street, left into Park Road, left into Queen’s Road and sharp left after the triangle opposite the Methodist church back into Athol Street.
The race is open to all classes and ages, from children’s racing earlier in the evening to fancy dress races to the more serious adult race to finish the event when the winner will receive the ‘Port St Mary Commissioners’ race nocturne trophy’.
Suspension of parking in the circuit is from 4pm, roads will be closed from 7pm to 11pm, access in and out of the circuit can be arranged for those with mobility issues (who are asked to contact organisers, phone 832101 in advance if possible).
Also, the good – or bad – news is anyone drinking in the Albert will be able to get out. ‘It’s not like the TT, all the footpaths will be open,’ said Steve. ‘There will be access in and out, if you are in the Albert, you can get home. I do not want anybody blaming me for the hangover the next morning.’
The co-operation of the local authority has been key in bringing this event together. He said. ‘They are the most helpful co-operative set of local authority members I have dealt with, if everyone else was like that life would be so much easier.’
He also thanked sponsors for their support. ‘You could not have run the event without all the people, particularly Microgaming, they are putting a lot into the event by way of prizes and support logistics and planning.’
He hopes this event, coming hard on the heels of extraordinary Manx Olympic cycling success, will encourage a greater and more sustained support by the community for cycling in the island.
‘Cycling in the Isle of Man has always been big anyway, Pete and Cav [Mark Cavendish] in a 80,000 strong population, two competitors in the Olympic games one won gold, the other was favourite to win gold, what does that say about the Isle of Man?
‘And beneath them there is a train of people coming through that are excellent for the future.’
He added: ‘It receives a lot of publicity, that’s very healthy, I would like to see it followed through with commitment in the future, let’s make cycling a permanent feature in the culture of the Isle of Man.
‘The success in Britain [of Olympians] has a lot to do with Lottery funding and how the structure has assisted. In the Isle of Man that level of funding will never be available, there is no capital resource, and lots of others trying [for the same pot]. It’s more in a general sense, assistance from local authorities etc, for example, where are the cycle lanes in your community other than on Douglas promenade?’
However, he added: ‘There is an awful lot of positive discussion at various levels, local authority and government regarding cycling and events like this bring cycling to the forefront in the local community and highlighting what an exciting activity it is.’
For entry forms phone 832101.
http://manxroadclub.webs.com/apps/blog/show/18646492-nocturne-cycle-racing.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
