Schools and community groups from across the Isle of Wight have been announced as checkpoint hosts for this year’s Isle of Wight Randonnee, as preparations continue for the event’s first outing under the stewardship of Mountbatten Isle of Wight.
Freshwater and Yarmouth CE Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Bembridge Primary School, Alverstone WI and Ventnor Rugby Club will all operate checkpoints when cyclists take on the 100km route around the Island on 6th September.
While the £15 entry fee, which includes a finisher’s medal, will help Mountbatten Isle of Wight cover the cost of staging the event, any donations collected at the checkpoints will be retained by the schools and organisations running them, helping to preserve the community spirit that has become synonymous with the Randonnee.
The 2026 event marks the first time the charity has organised the Isle of Wight Randonnee after stepping in to secure its future when there were concerns the long-running event could come to an end.
Originally launched in 1985 by The Wayfarer Cycle Touring Club, the Randonnee has become one of the highlights of the national cycling calendar and remains a non-competitive challenge rather than a race.
Participants can start and finish at the checkpoint closest to them before cycling clockwise around the Island, tackling approximately 100km and around 1,500 metres of climbing.
Funds raised through sponsorship will support Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s services, with the charity providing care for around 70% of people who die on the Island. Around 85% of its care is delivered in patients’ homes, through day services and outpatient appointments at the John Cheverton Centre, with the remainder provided on its inpatient unit in Newport.
A new partnership with premium cycling apparel brand Stolen Goat has also seen the launch of a range of bespoke Randonnee merchandise, including Mountbatten-themed cycling jerseys featuring the charity’s iconic sunflower, along with T-shirts, cycling caps and bandidos.
The popular annual collectors’ pin badge will also return and will be available to purchase on the day.
Andy Gorman, Managing Director of Stolen Goat, has said:
“The Stolen Goat team has so many fond memories of riding the iconic Isle of Wight Randonnee, along with thousands of other cyclists.
“The opportunity to support Mountbatten Isle of Wight in its fundraising efforts, in the next chapter in Randonnee’s history, is an absolute privilege.
“Most importantly, these beautiful jerseys will directly support fundraising efforts for the local community that has welcomed us all, and provided so much joy over the years.”
Ashleigh Gibbs, Events Lead at Mountbatten Isle of Wight, has said:
“We were thrilled to be named custodians of this amazing community-led event, and we are thoroughly enjoying our creative partnership with Stolen Goat.
“Working alongside the outgoing organisers and checkpoint providers, to ensure the Isle of Wight Randonnee remains a much-loved day in the annual national cycling calendar, we know 6th September 2026 will be a day to remember.”
Registration for the event is now open, with organisers encouraging cyclists to sign up and begin their fundraising efforts ahead of September’s challenge.
Great cause, these events work great in locations
with cycle lanes.
“The Isle of Wight is NOT cycle friendly!”
Take a drive along the Military Road at weekends and the
proof is in the pudding.
The majority of cyclists cycle selfishly.
Yes, it is a great cause, and I’ve signed up for it.”The Isle of Wight IS cycle friendly. As for cars, well take a drive, or cycle, anywhere on the Island and you’ll soon see traffic jams, hold-ups and accidents.. all caused by cars, far too many of them here.
It is UNORGANISED CHAOS because so many cyclists
think it is ok to ride side by side some in the middle of
the road pissing off motorists WHO ACTUALLY PAY TO
BE ON THE ROAD not a load of freeloaders who
don’t know how to cycle correctly.
Cycle tests should be provided for “ALL” cyclists
so they know to keep to the left, MAJORITY OF
CYCLISTS I SEE CYCLING ON THE MILITARY ROAD
CYCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD NEARLY TOUCHING
THE CENTRE LINE MARKINGS.
Strange but true, but then again NO one likes to hear
the truth DO THEY!
Have a great day. I will make sure I am visiting my
Son in the Big Smoke
WHERE CYCLE LANES ACTUALLY EXIST
Totally agree with you.
No mot or tax but think they owe the roads
Twice I’ve had cyclists cut me up without looking properly. No wonder there are so many accidents. Yet it’s never their fault.
Only 1 place for cycles, on a roof rack.
The island encourages such events when there are hardly
any cycle lanes on the Island.
Strange but true!
I think you’ll find that 99.9% of cyclists also own a car and pay excise duty.
But do they when using their bikes?
Back in the day I used to have a motorbike, car and camper van.
I paid excise duty for all 3
There needs to be check points on the island all year round
to get rogue motorists off our roads.
So many vehicles are being driven at speed, so many vehicles
with NO MOT
“Yet STILL NO ONE TO POLICE THIS”
You are right, not only NO MOT but frequently no insurance, or even valid licences in some cases! just mad, and dangerous!
There is no traffic law on the island
I saw a Numpty recently driving ruthlessly
checked the MOT – OBVIOUSLY NO MOT
That is Council House tenants for you
Great Preston Road Ryde, say No more
A DL reg, says it all really.
Nearly 4 months with NO MOT
hence invalid insurance.
Anyone would think they are living in South Aftrica
where MOT rules are different to the UK
THERE IS NO TRAFFIC LAW ON THE ISLAND, hence
the island needs Anpr, speed cameras etc etc
We desperately need a Sadiq Khan to make the LAWLESS
Island Roads safe for ALL motorists.
I will never vote for anyone on the island because they
don’t have a clue about road safety or traffic law.
You obviously went to DVLA website to check for MOT, so why didn’t you report them to police.
They wouldn’t be bothered and DVLA system is
crap.
A vehicle can drive for nearly a year with no mot
if it is taxed for example a week before their MOT is
due.
LIke all Government services. POOR and not fit for
purpose.
The article photo pretty much sums up how the Lycras treat other road users.
Yes, I’ll be a grump, but I’ll keep off the road for that day and also have to reconsider any future donations to Mountbatten.
Me too. I now give to friends of the animals
They don’t hold an event that causes possible road rage.
There’s only one person accountable for road rage…….
Yeah, obviously people dying of cancer don’t need any help,
Three Lycras went straight through Shalfleet lights on red, heavy traffic coming the other way, being first in the queue we heard people shouting at them, totally oblivious, and yeah it’s on my dashcam but as always never any form of identification.
They think they are above the law, and too be honest they are above the law.
The SO called authorities choose to let them get away with such crimes and are only concerned when they hit a vehicle head on and then they are asking for Dash Cam or Door Bell Footage.
CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE LAW
IF TRAFFICE LIGHT ARE RED, THEY ARE RED
UNLESS AN EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLE IS RUSHING TO
AN ACCIDENT ETC. NO OTHER FCUKER SHOULD JUMP THE
LIGHTS WHETHER ON 2, 3 OR 4 WHEELS.
Thought that that was just a myth, about the TRAFFICE lights and the emergency services?