Route 1 Douglas
Degree of difficulty: Hard.
The quiet countryside around the Island's busy capital provides excellent cycling. An ideal way to explore the small glens, notably Groudle Glen and Molly Quirk's Glen. The coastal road of Marine Drive provides a stunning end to the day.
Although the majority of the route is on quiet lanes, there are stretches of the route on busy main roads in and around Douglas. Traffic in town is busy all day, but especially at morning and evening peaks. The roads around the Sea Terminal and the entire length of the Promenade are difficult for cyclists. On the Promenade, cyclists should beware of tram lines. For these reasons, unlike all the other routes, the in-town sections have been omitted and cyclists are directed to the start of the route at the north end of the Promenade at Derby Castle.
Elsewhere, some of the country lanes are deceptively busy and due to bends and high hedges, approaching traffic appears with little warning.
Total distance: 27 miles, 43 kilometres.
Major climbs/descents:
Eskdale Road or Bibaloe Beg, River Glass valley at Sir George’s Bridge, Ellerslie Hill at Crosby, Braaid, Crogga.
Sites of interest:
Manx Museum, Horse Trams, Manx Electric Railway, Groudle Glen and Groudle Glen Railway, Molly Quirk’s Glen, St Patrick’s Chair (ancient monument), Port Soderick, Marine Drive.
Arrive at Derby Castle at the northern end of Douglas Bay to the start of the route. Continue past the Manx Electric Railway Terminus and begin the climb to Onchan. After passing King Edward Bay Golf Course at Howstrake you will reach the lovely Groudle Glen with its miniature steam railway (seasonal). The pub is now closed. Continue alongside the MER track towards Laxey, turning left at the first available road (Bibaloe Beg Road). The road consists of a short, but very steep climb up to Bibaloe Beg.
On reaching the main A2 road turn left towards Onchan. The A2 is a busy, fast road and the left turn has poor visibility for approaching traffic. After crossing the Whitebridge and entering Onchan, take the 3rd turn on the right (Onchan Village shops and pubs is 300 yards straight on). This is School Road. Pass the Dowty factory, and shortly after a hairpin turn takes you down into the Glen past Little Mill and then steeply up the opposite side. Follow this road through until reaching Hillberry and the intersection with the TT Course. Caution: It is very fast.
Turn left onto the TT Course, then right after approximately 300 yards. Immediately turn right again into Scollag Road. Follow this road to Abbeylands Crossroads, then continue down the steep slope into the River Glass valley at Sir George's Bridge. Follow the A22 into Strang, passing Strang Stores. At the mini-roundabout, turn right and follow the A23 to Crosby. On reaching Crosby crossroads, cross the main A1 Douglas to Peel road.
Continue up the steep hill and shortly pass the ancient St Runius Chapel. After 1/4 mile, pass a footpath sign to St Patrick's Chair, a legendary stone monument about 400 yards off the road. After a long climb, eventually reach Garth Crossroads, and turn left towards Douglas. A mile further on, cross the mini-roundabout at the Braaid. There is a long climb past Chibbanagh Plantation. Take the next right turn and after 1.5 miles, pass the Mount Murray Hotel
Half a mile further on turn right at the T-junction onto the A5. This is another busy main road linking Douglas to the Airport. After 1 mile turn left into Oatlands Road and 1 mile further, turn left onto Castletown Old Road towards Douglas. You will descend into Crogga dip and climb out on the other side. Take the next right turn to Port Soderick, shortly passing under the steam railway at Port Soderick Station. Turn left shortly afterwards.
Half a mile further on, take the next right onto Marine Drive. Continue along the entire length of the Marine Drive and once past Douglas Head, follow the road down the hill towards South Quay. This is the end of the route, as you are now encountering busy town traffic. You have the choice of turning left and going round the landward end of the Harbour, or using the new Harbour Bridge, to return to the Sea Terminal