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 for coffee and pastries at Balance Taproom, with plenty of time to chat with other riders before setting off towards the Peak.
This year there won't be a mass start or a single group following a fixed route. Instead, participants will be given three routes to choose from, and you're free to mix and match them to suit your preference. For example, a longer ride on Saturday and a shorter leg on Sunday. The routes are typically suitable for a modern gravel bike and pass plenty of cafés and other resupply points. More detailed information about the terrain and difficulty of each route will be provided ahead of the event.
Riders are encouraged to mingle, ride in groups and help each other out where needed, but every participant should approach the weekend as they would any unsupported ride and be fully self-sufficient. We'll also be out on route, riding with you.
How you tackle the ride is entirely up to you. Stopping at the top of climbs to admire the views, and sharing the trails and café stops with others, is highly encouraged.
You don't need to be an experienced off-road rider to take part! This is not a test, and it's certainly not a race, but a decent baseline of fitness and some off-road riding experience are required.
Preliminary event schedule
Saturday
08:00 – Meet and sign in at Balance Taproom (M1 2ND)
09:00 – Rider briefing
09:15 – Roll out. Riders are free to leave at any time, but we recommend setting off by 09:45 at the latest
16:00–19:00 – Estimated arrival in Bamford, depending on pace and route
Evening – Join us at the local community pub, the Anglers Rest, for food and drinks. We'll show footage from the 2026 Tor Divide to relive the event, followed by a talk from Valerio (Tor Divide organiser) and a special guest about Tor Divide and their recent rides.
Sunday
07:00 – Meet at the local bakery (S33 0AY): they're opening early just for our group!
08:00 – Roll out. Riders are free to leave at any time, but we recommend setting off by 08:30 at the latest
15:00–16:00 – Estimated finish at Balance Taproom (M1 2ND). 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.
Route A (62km 1300m+ & 70km 1100m+)
This route includes some technical and rockier section. It’s recommended for riders confident riding off-road and with a gravel or rigid MTB with wide tyres.
Route B (63km 1300m+ & 60km 900m+)
This route overlaps with Route A, allowing riders to resupply at the same cafes, but avoids the technical sections.
Route C (91km 1900m+, 85km 1500m+)
A longer route for those particularly keen! The route takes in some beautiful views over Manchester, as well as disused railway lines, bridleways and quiet roads. While it’s not technical, you’ll need very good fitness to tackle it and get to the finish while there’s still some food left!
Note: routes are preliminary and may be amended/cancelled subject to numbers and weather conditions.
“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
CIOVITA Discounts
- Spend £50 or more on Tor Divide kit in our store and we'll refund your base entry cost (£15), plus throw in an evening meal (1 main & 2 drinks) on the Saturday night.
- Spend £100 or more on Tor Divide kit and we'll also cover your campsite cost! That's £25 off your ticket price, plus evening meal (1 main & 2 drinks) on Saturday.
Head to our Store to browse the full range: socks, caps, jerseys and more.
To qualify for the discount at checkout, please add all items to your cart and complete them as a single order.
12th-13th September
Same vibes, different format!
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.
For more details about the event please refer to this page:
» https://tordivide.co.uk/peakgravelovernighter2026 «
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.
SPECIAL OFFER!
Head to the Tor Divide Store and spend a minimum of £50 on Tor Divide kit (e.g. CIOVITA Trail Tee) to get a free entry to the event (worth £15) plus a meal (main and two drinks) at the Anglers Rest on Saturday evening.
Spend a minimum of £100 on Tor Divide kit (e.g. CIOVITA Jersey + Socks) to get a free entry with camping to the event (worth £25) plus a meal (main and two drinks) at the Anglers Rest on Saturday evening.
All courtesy of CIOVITA! Thanks for continuing to support our events!
Note:
please place your items in a single order (i.e. add items & event ticket to the basket) to benefit from the discount
your kit will be ready for collection at the start (or finish) of the Overnighter
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!”