Peak Gravel Overnighter
12th-13th September 2026
Supported by
Join us for an overnight jaunt into the Peak District from Manchester.
The Peak Gravel Overnighter is a friendly group 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 check into a local b&b. Either way be ready for chatting bikes, shredding gravel, faffing and laughs.
(C) Will Harris
“The coffee and pastries at the start were a really nice touch, it set the tone for the ride as being relaxed and provided a chance to socialise beforehand and look at everyone’s set ups.”
The Ride
We’ll meet up for coffee and pastries at Balance Taproom from 8am for a 9:00am briefing and 9:15am start.
This year, there won’t be a “mass” start nor a single group following a route. Instead, participants will be provided with 3 routes to choose from and they’re free to mix and match them to suit their preference (e.g. longer ride on Saturday, shorter leg on Sunday). All routes will be suitable for a gravel bike and will go past cafes and other resupply points.
Information about terrain and degree of difficulty of the routes will be provided ahead of the event.
While we will aim to ride as a group and lend a hand if possible, every participant should approach the ride as any unsupported ride and be self-sufficient.
Every participant is free to tackle the ride as they please. Stopping at the top of climbs to admire the views, sharing the trails and the café stops with others is HIGHLY encouraged.
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.
Saturday
08:00 – Meet & sign-in @ Balance Taproom (M1 2ND)
09:00 – Rider briefing
09:15 – Roll out. Riders are free to leave anytime. We recommend to leave by 9:45 the latest.
16:00-19:00 – Estimated arrival in Bamford, depending on pace and route
Evening: camp / pub / firepit chat
Sunday
08:00 – Meet @ local bakery (S33 0AY)
08:30 – Roll out. Riders are free to leave anytime. We recommend to leave by 9:00 the latest.
15:00-16:00 – Estimated Finish @ Balance Taproom (M1 2ND) – first drink is on us! (Food available from Nell’s Pizza next door)
The Routes
The overall distance and ascent will vary depend on the route chosen by YOU. Expect approximately 120km & 2000m+ as a minimum, split over two days. Longer options will be available. The routes cover gravel-friendly terrain, with some options pushing the boundaries of gravel!
All routes have been ridden on 40mm tyres.
We’ll start in Manchester, ride into the Peak District and we’ll finish our first day in Bamford.
The route includes vantage points over the Mancunian skyline, ancient bridleways, canals, and some of the Peak District prettiest villages.
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.
“Camping was spot on, and the morning bakery was fantastic. It was nice that they were expecting us and therefore were prepared and friendly.”
(C) Will Harris
Day 1
Day 2
(C) Will Harris
The bike
Any off-road capable bike is welcome. Last year people showed up on anything from gravel bikes to full suspension mountain bikes, on old bikes and brand new rigs. 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 any earning 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 petrol 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 morning we’ll meet up at the local bakery and start the ride from there. If your accommodation is on the route back we’ll agree a meet up time and place for Sunday morning.
(C) Will Harris
Mandatory cycling kit
Please have the following kit to take part to the ride:
an off-road 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 1.0l 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.
“The time to be social was great, a drink, a smile and pizza. There is nothing else in life that you need!”