Hi Everyone,

Its short notice but on Sunday 2nd July i'll be taking part in this year's IOM Lighthouses Challenge, a cycling 'Sportive' in which i've opted to do the whole 100 mile full route round the Island. Prior to this February my last time on a racing bike was well over 20 years ago and its literally been sofa to Sportive in 5 months (and a good bit of pain and suffering in between)!

The lap starts and finishes in Castletown and takes in nearly all of the points on the Island where there are lighthouses either on land or situated just offshore. Much of the route follows the Parish Walk which i finished last year and includes a selection of nasty hills (with 6,800 ft in total climbing) - the organisers have advised these can be walked as well as cycled which in some cases will be better for me!. But last month I did a 69 miler in training and i'm confident of a finish - it can be done!

The main charity benefitting from this event is Isle Listen, who I supported on my Parish Walks in 2021 and 2022. However my aim with this site is to raise some funds for IOM Cruse Bereavement Care who are my firm's nominated charity for 2023. Cruse have been actiive here for over 30 years and provide a range of support and councelling for adults and young people impacted by the loss of someone close - a very worthy charity.

Mindful that times are tougher than they were a few years back, i'm aiming to raise around £400 from this event - i'm not eying a high placing, just the satisfaction of completing the challenge and raising some money for charity in the process. So any donation of any size that you may wish to make will be very much appreciated.

I'm number 380 and it might be possible to follow my progress on Sunday at www.lighthouseschallenge.im Thanks as always for your support.

Peter