Peak Gravel Overnighter

21st-22nd September.

Join us for an overnight jaunt into the Peak District from Manchester.

The Peak Gravel Overnighter is a friendly expedition out of the busy Manchester city centre to the quiet lanes and bridleways the National Park has to offer.

Pack your tent, brewing kit, stove and kitchen sink. Or go light and embrace some discomfort. Either way be ready for chatting bikes, shredding gravel, faffing and laughs.

The Ride

We’ll meet up for coffee and pastries at Balance Taproom from 8am before a 9:15am briefing and setting off at 9:30am.

While we will aim to ride as a group and lend a hand if needed, every participant should approach the ride as any unsupported ride and be self-sufficient. We might ride in smaller groups depending on overall numbers and abilities. We will ride at friendly pace - aim for 16km/h on the flats - and tackle the climbs individually. We will re-group at the tops, have multiple café stops as well as breaks at scenic points to admire the views.

While you do not need to be an experienced off-road biker to take part, this is not a test nor a race, a decent baseline fitness and some experience riding off-road are required. Please get in touch if unsure.

If you are an experienced and fast rider, it's worth allowing for an extra warm layer and a few extra snacks as there will be plenty of stops and you might run cooler than usual.

In summary:

  • Meet from 8am at Balance Taproom (M2 1ND) on Saturday

  • 9:15am briefing

  • 9:30am start

  • 4:00pm (estimated) arrival in Bamford

  • Bonus climb

  • Camp, trip to the pub, chat around the fire, etc.

  • 8:30am meet up at the local bakery on Sunday morning

  • 3:00pm (estimated) finish at Balance Taproom

  • Drinks. First one on us!

The Route

Approximately 120km & 2000m+ equally split over two days. Gravel-friendly terrain, with some roads and the odd (optional) gnarly short section.

We’ll ride approximately 60km from Manchester into the Peak District and we’ll finish the first day of riding near Bamford.

The route includes vantage points over the Mancunian skyline, ancient bridleways, some of the Peak District prettiest villages, the Broken Road, canal paths and repurposed railway lines. We will have a “base” route, and propose a couple of short off-road alternatives for those feeling more adventurous!

We will camp overnight and ride back to Manchester on Sunday for another 60km ride. We’ll take in more Peak District landmarks and finish the ride at Balance Taproom for celebrations.

If you don’t feel like riding back to Manchester for any reasons, there will be options to jump on a train along the route.

The bike

Any off-road capable bike is welcome. A gravel bike with at least 35mm tyres or a hardtail MTB would be ideal.
Disc brakes are strongly recommended. Don’t forget that you will be riding with a loaded bike, which will handle differently from normal rides.

Having the right gears will be more important than having the “right” bike, this is the Peak District and it’s rarely flat!

Large (45mm) tyres are recommended although not essential. No need for knobbly tyres as there is plenty of gravel and road. We recce’d the route on Schwalbe G-One 40mm tyres. Larger tyres will add comfort and the event is not about speed!

Please test your bike and gear BEFORE the ride to avoid issues on the day.

A night-out

We have booked a basic campsite with toilet, shower and even fire pits! The campsite is run by volunteers and costs £10pp (please bring a £10 note with you). The money is re-invested in local projects and we feel this is the perfect match for the Tor Divide ethos, and a beautiful and quiet location for the night. There are also a pub, a cafe’, a bakery, a 24h gas station, and a train station all within a 5min ride from the campsite.

While we will finish at a campsite and camping is encouraged, you don’t have to own a tent to go bikepacking!

We are leaving sleeping arrangements up to participants. That means people will be free to decide where to sleep, whether it’s a campsite, B&B, hostel or a bus stop! If you are not camping, please look for accommodation in Bamford.
Hope or Castleton would also work although they might make your first day slightly longer.

On Sunday we’ll meet up at the campsite in the morning (8am TBC) and ride from there. If your accommodation is on the route back we’ll agree a meet up time and place for the Sunday.

Mandatory cycling kit

Please have the following kit to take part to the ride:

  • an offroad capable bike (i.e. no road bikes) with minimum 35mm tyres and in fully working conditions,

  • helmet,

  • spares (pump, inner tubes, multi-tool etc),

  • lights (front and rear),

  • insulated jacket, fleece or similar warm layer,

  • ability to carry 1.5l of water,

  • good vibes!

Recommended kit

  • Big gears to tackle the steepest climbs. Don’t forget it’s the Peak District and you’ll be riding a loaded bike,

  • Off-road tubeless tyres,

  • Waterproof jacket. This might come in handy depending on weather, also as a windbreaker,

  • Spare rear mech hanger.

  • Plenty of snacks to keep you fuelled,

  • Bike insurance.

  • If camping, make sure to have the appropriate sleeping kit as well as a torch/headlight. Spare footwear and clothes are also recommended.