Festival Wristbands and Cycling Entries on sale now for May 2017 event

Isle of Man Cyclefest presented by Isle of Man Bank returns in May 2017 with a new line up featuring the best mass participation cycling, music and family entertainment, as well as a diverse mix of local artisan food, in the grounds of the stunning Milntown Estate on the outskirts of Ramsey.

The 2017 event will open with a community day in and around Ramsey town centre on Friday 12th May featuring the Sure Schools Challenge for local year 5 and 6 students and the Big Ride with Rebecca House, offering closed roads riding for children and families around a specially constructed course.

The action moves to Milntown Estate for the rest of the weekend with the Isle of Man Cyclefest Championship getting underway with the lung bursting Storm the Tower Hill Climb powered by Isle of Man Creamery on the morning of Saturday 13th May. That’s followed by the Battle of Sky Hill Mountain Bike Race on Saturday afternoon before concluding with the closed road 85 mile Gran Fondo, with over 6500ft of climbing and three PokerStars King and Queen of the Mountain ascents including the notorious Injebreck, on Sunday 14th May.

The 24 mile Piccolo Fondo, a shorter jaunt through the Island’s Northern Plains, suitable for families, will again be part of the programme while this year sees the introduction of a mid distance Medio Fondo, a near 40 mile closed road event aimed at recreational riders who want to challenge themselves. The route follows the main Gran Fondo to the top of the first major climb over Druidale before branching off and returning to Milntown.

New additions to the festival for 2017 include the spectacular Friends Provident International Street Velodrome - a heart pounding, action packed theatre of track style cycle sport, which features a forty metre banked circuit. Street Velodrome will bring the excitement and drama of track cycling to Ramsey town centre for the Sure Schools Challenge on Friday before switching to the heart of Milntown at the weekend, creating a fun filled competition for all ages and abilities.

As well as the opportunity for cyclists of all ages and abilities to turn a wheel, Cyclefest 2017 also features a packed line up of family entertainment over two days at the Milntown Estate, led by the world famous Titan the Robot. This eight foot modern mechanical behemoth will stride the grounds of Milntown estate with its own idiosyncratic brand of family fun. Titan will be performing on the Isle of Man for the first time fresh from appearances at events such as Glastonbury, the Winter Olympics in Sochi and the F1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile Cyclefest’s ‘Roots & Rhythms main stage music line up supported by PokerStars has something for the whole family, from blistering guitar solos to heart-breaking melodies, from the traditional music of Mann to a taste of America. Featuring professional singers and groups, UK festival acts and professional touring and recording artists, Cyclefest will be the Isle of Man music event of the year.

Headlining the music line up will be the Island’s own Davy Knowles who will perform at Isle of Man Cyclefest on Saturday 13th May along with his band. Now based in Chicago, Davy recently released his third studio album, titled Three Miles from Avalon, and will embark on a European Tour in 2017 with Isle of Man Cyclefest appearing on the calendar as his homecoming date.

There is more family entertainment planned in a new dedicated children’s area, where kids of all ages can have a go at everything from giant Jenga to face painting, meeting birds of prey and trying their hand at local crafts or playing in the specially created sand pit.. Food aficionados will appreciate the great quality food and drink with a substantially increased range of local artisan producers in attendance offering the best the Isle of Man has to offer.

There will be a number of festival entertainment and cycling updates between now and May 2017 and Official Cyclefest Radio Station, Manx Radio will be running a series of stories between now and the summer of 2017 and you can also stay up to date with at iomcyclefest.com and via the event’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Wristbands for Isle of Man Cyclefest are now available to buy on the new look official Isle of Man Cyclefest web site at iomcyclefest.com as well as entries for all the Isle of Man Cyclefest presented by Isle of Man Bank events with a discounted ‘early bird’ rate up to December 1st on both festival tickets and race entries.

Paul Smith, Island Director of Cyclefest title sponsors Isle of Man Bank commented:

”We are very proud be supporting such a strong event that has already established itself in the island’s annual sporting and social calendar in its first year. Cyclefest embraces all aspects of the local community, with something on offer for everyone, as well as offering visitors one of the best cycling experiences in the British Isles.”