Live Tracking

At first glance, dot-watching might not sound very exciting. After all, it is just watching small dots move slowly across a map.

But anyone who has followed an ultra-distance cycling event will tell you the same thing: it gets surprisingly addictive.

During Tor Divide weekend, friends, family and supporters will be able to follow riders through our live tracking page. The map will show each rider’s progress along the route, giving people at home a simple way to see how the event is unfolding, where riders are on the course, and how the weekend is progressing.

For many supporters, live tracking becomes part of the adventure. It turns a remote ride across the Peak into something people can follow, talk about, cheer on and feel connected to from wherever they are.

Trust us: once the dots start moving, you will keep checking back!

Why live tracking will be mandatory from 2027

Until 2026, tracker hire at Tor Divide has been optional. We are really pleased that the first three editions of the event passed without significant injuries and without the need for emergency services. However, as the event grows, we want to keep improving the way we look after everyone involved.

From 2027, all Tor Divide participants will be required to carry an event tracker. The main reason is simple: rider safety.

Tor Divide is still not a race. It remains a self-supported bikepacking event, and every participant is responsible for their own decisions, preparation and safety on the route. A tracker does not replace good judgement, suitable kit, route knowledge, or looking after yourself and others.

What it does give us is an extra layer of visibility.

If a rider stops for an unusually long time, appears to leave the route, does not arrive when expected, or is unaccounted for after the event, tracking gives the event team a much clearer starting point. It helps us make better decisions, check in sooner, and respond more calmly and effectively if something does not look right.

In short, trackers help us look after riders without changing the spirit of Tor Divide.

It is not all doom and gloom

Mandatory tracking is not just about worst-case scenarios.

Live tracking also makes the event more enjoyable for the people following from home. Partners, children, friends, clubmates and dot-watchers can follow progress across the weekend, share the excitement, and feel part of the journey.

For riders, it can be a lovely thought knowing that someone at home is watching their dot move across the map, cheering them on through the climbs, the weather, the tired moments and the late-night miles.

Dot-watching has become a big part of the bikepacking world because it gives people a way to connect with events that are otherwise hard to follow. There are no camera bikes, no live broadcast, and no grandstands out on the moors. The tracker map becomes the window into the ride.

Privacy and personal safety

We understand that not everyone feels comfortable being publicly tracked.

We are bikepackers ourselves, and we know that riders may have different reasons for wanting more privacy. This can be especially important for solo riders, riders who feel more vulnerable, or anyone who simply does not want their name and location publicly visible on a map.

For 2027, we will have a system in place that allows riders to be anonymised on the public tracking page.

We are also working with our tracking partner to explore further options around privacy and safety, especially overnight. This may include giving participants the option for their position not to be publicly visible during the event, while still remaining visible to the event team for safety purposes.

We will share the final details clearly before entries open, so everyone understands how tracking, anonymisation and privacy options will work.

A safer event, without changing the spirit

Tor Divide is still Tor Divide.

We are not interested in how fast you ride, how often you stop, where you sleep, or whether you are “doing well” compared with anyone else. Tor Divide is about completing the route in your own way, looking after yourself, and enjoying the experience.

The tracker simply helps us understand where participants are during the event and gives supporters a way to follow along.

It is still self-supported. It is still not a race. It is still about exploring the Peak by bike, making your own decisions, managing your own ride, and sharing the weekend with a brilliant community of riders.

Mandatory trackers are simply a practical step to help us run the event responsibly as it grows.

They help us look after participants, reassure friends and family, and make the weekend more engaging for everyone watching from home.

We think that is a positive step for the future of Tor Divide.