Local mountain bike club Loaghtan Loaded will host the British Solo 24-hour Championships next summer as part of the Longest Day Longest Ride weekend.

Again sponsored by Conister Bank, the 2018 LDLR will take place midday Saturday, June 16 to midday Sunday, June 17 Plantation, off the Creg-ny-Baa back road.

Over the years the event has evolved into the exciting community-minded spectacle that it is today.

It will still cater for teams and pairs in addition to solos in three separate categories, and all solo entrants will automatically become part of the 24-hour championships.

Race director and founder, Gary Cooper, commented: ’Whether a weekend warrior, with your own challenge of laps or distance to conquer, or a racing snake who fancies a non-stop 24-hour ride as part of a team or solo, our unique event offers riders the chance to feel part of a truly wonderful charity and community-focused event.

’We are proud that the Conister Bank Longest Day Longest Ride is such a social sporting occasion on the island’s sporting calendar and hope that all our regulars will once again join us to experience the challenge, in addition to newcomers or less-frequent competitors.’

To accommodate the anticipated additional numbers, the race organisers have identified approximately one additional mile of potential route that they will be working on over the coming months.

This should extend the course out to about 4.1 miles, equating to a 25-minute lap for the faster riders and between 35 and 45-minute laps for the lesser mortals.

Entries are now open, with an early-bird discount on entries before February 1, 2018. Simply visit www.ldlr.im and go to the entry page. All participants will once again receive a full custom jersey with their entry.

MANX 100 will host national marathon mtb champs

Five weeks later, on Sunday, July 29, the Manx 100 event will form the HSBC British Cycling National Marathon Championships for the second year in succession.

This event is organised by Manx Mountain Bike Club and takes place over a gruelling course across the island.

The organising team for this event is led by Nigel Morris, who said at the time the announcement was made:

’We met or exceeded all of British Cycling’s requirements both during and after this year’s event, all down to the fantastic work by all of the marshals, Isle of Man Constabulary, St John Ambulance, local businesses, people and government departments involved.

’British Cycling was happy to maintain the Marathon Mountain Biking Championship event over the single-lap 100km route.

’At the time, elite rider Ben Thomas, who finished runner-up in the event, said that with a few minor changes it would be as good as the best UCI Marathon Events he competes in throughout Europe.’

This year’s title was won by Tom Bell in a time of 5hr 16min, with Thomas a mere 18 seconds behind.

In addition, the 2018 event will also host the Manx Mountain Bike Marathon Championships over a 100 mile route, to include a 15,500 feet of ascent.

This was won by Phil Simcock in a time of 10hr 22min this year.

The Manx 50, which takes over the final 50km of the route in the central and southern areas of the island.

Next year’s 100-mile and 100km events will start at 6.30am from the TT Grandstand on Sunday, while the 50km event will start at 2pm from St John’s.

l More news in the new year.