“It’s not the mountains we conquer, it is ourselves”
Sir Edmund Hillary

Welcome to the home of an incredible and unique UK cycling challenge.

Pure Peak Grit was created in 2019, and tested by a group of inspiring mile-munching ladies (see how they got on here).

The idea was to design a continuous route (no out-and-backs), linking together every famous and categorised road climb by bike, the hardest way up, in the Peak District National Park and the immediate vicinity around it. The resulting route was approximately 600 km (380 miles) long, with 13,600m (44,600 feet) of ascent.

The route changes slightly every year, but remains just as long, just as hilly and require just as much grit to complete. 

There are over 40 categorised climbs to ‘tick off’ in this endurance hill venture, including 9% of Britain’s ‘100 Greatest cycling climbs’. This makes it the hilliest long distance road cycling event in the UK.

The 2026 edition route and ride handbook will be circulated to riders in the months prior to the event.

Details

Start/Finish HQ:

Barn Farm, Birchover, Matlock, DE4 2BL

Date and Time: 

Saturday 4th July 2026

Sign-On from 06:30

Rider Briefing at 07:30

Depart at 08:00

HQ Closes at 15:00 Monday 6th July

Route: 

Main PPG Event (more info)

~640km / ~13,500m ascent. 100% on road (GPX route to be released to riders shortly before the event)

PPG Prologue (more info)

~200km / ~4,500m ascent. 100% on road (GPX route to be released to riders shortly before the event)

Cost:

Main PPG Event

£150

PPG Prologue

£80*

*Please note this event is only open to female participants, and is focused on encouraging more female participation in ultra distance events. 

What's included?

• Hot and cold food and drink at the start and finish, as well as during, when riders pass through the HQ

• Use of event HQ for refreshments and respite including showers, charging and bag drop. Camping can be booked separately.

• Tracker rental and website hosting

• Goodie bag

• £30 minimum donation to the charity a local charity* 

• Most importantly, the experience, achievement and satisfaction of completing one of the most difficult road cycling routes in the UK.

• Participants must ride the whole route and every hill, in the correct direction, to have their attempt validated. If trackers malfunction/fail to record for whatever reason, you must provide the GPX file or upload your ride to Strava for ride validation. If attempted as an ITT, you must provide the GPX or upload your ride to Strava for validation.

• Completing the route within 48h will allow you to be a Pure Peak Gritter in these categories. If during the event you finish later than 15:00 on Monday 6th July, the HQ will be closed but you will still be honoured as a Pure Peak Gritter, and your ride showcased on the wall of fame as a finisher.

*The £30 donation taken from entry fees only applies to the Main PPG Event. Riders taking part in the PPG Prologue can decide to make a voluntary donation at checkout or on the day.

Sleeping, nutrition & being self supported

Please note, you are obliged to make your own arrangements for sleeping and rest during this event. This is a self supported event so there is no provision for recovery from Pure Peak Grit and aside from the event HQ you must self supply with food and water.

However, the HQ at Barn Farm Campsite has fantastic facilities and riders can make use of showers, bag drop, charging and book their own camping direct with the site (quote Pure Peak Grit when booking). Hot and cold drinks and hearty vegetarian based food will be available for riders.

This is not an entry level event and your previous experience/ride ability will be screened on application and Pure Peak Grit reserves the right to refuse applications.  Applications from under 18 years olds will not be accepted.

Registration will close when the event reaches capacity.

Timings

There will be two time categories for riding PPG 2026:

< 48 HOURS OF PURE PEAK GRIT

The ultimate challenge!

- AIMING TO JUST COMPLETE THE ROUTE

Sole completion of this route is a massive achievement, and tribute to your tenacious grit. Not only that, but PPG allows you to cycle across and summit some of our greatest hills, in some of our most beautiful countryside. This is an absolute privilege to be valued and enjoyed. However long it takes you, if you endure and embrace this ride, you will very much be a ‘Pure Peak Gritter’.

< 48 HOURS OF PURE PEAK GRIT

The ultimate challenge!

- AIMING TO JUST COMPLETE THE ROUTE

Sole completion of this route is a massive achievement, and tribute to your tenacious grit. Not only that, but PPG allows you to cycle across and summit some of our greatest hills, in some of our most beautiful countryside. This is an absolute privilege to be valued and enjoyed. However long it takes you, if you endure and embrace this ride, you will very much be a ‘Pure Peak Gritter’.

Charity

PPG is closely tied to the valuable work of charities across the region. All registration fees will cover the basic running costs, with a proportional amount going straight to the charity. We anticipate this donation to be at least £30 pp. The charity for the 2026 edition Is Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

There is an opportunity whilst registering for the event to make an additional donation to the charity if you are feeling particularly generous. All donations are greatly appreciated.