Santa's on a Bike rideout returns to Manx roads

The annual Santa's on a Bike mass motorcycle ride is set to return to the Manx roads, with people encouraged to cheer on those taking part.

Hundreds of Santa-clad riders will set off from the capital Douglas before finishing at children's hospice via Castletown.

Since it's inception in 2018, the ride has raised over £225,000 for Rebecca House - the only facility of its kind on the island, providing respite, palliative, and end of life care for children.

Riders will line up on Victoria Street - outside the headquarters of organisers Plan.com - from 09:00 GMT to fuel up on mince pies and hot drinks before setting off on the ride an hour later.

To allow for those taking part to gather safely, police said Victoria Street would be closed to traffic from the junction with Fort Street to the Jubilee Clock between 07:30 to 10:45.

Traffic would still be able to access Lord Street via Fort Street during the closure, which would "ensure minimal disruption and a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone", the Isle of Man Constabulary said.

Bus Vannin said its services would also be diverted from Victoria Street at Fort Street during the period, with those serving Onchan and the Douglas estates continuing to the Promenades via Peveril Square.

As it rolls out of the island's capital at 10:00, the motorised peloton will head to the Quarterbridge Roundabout before heading south on the New Castletown Road.

The cavalcade then makes its way through Santon and over Fairy Bridge to Ballasalla, before arriving at Castletown at 11:00.

Riders will be able to regroup at Castle Rushen High School, before forming a procession to Market Square in the ancient capital offering up a spectacle for those out to watch.

From there, the riders will retrace their journey back towards the capital, before heading into Braddan to reach Rebecca House at about midday.

Organisers said should the event need to be postponed on Saturday it would instead be run on Sunday.

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