“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 2027 ride handbook will be circulated to riders at least a month prior to the event and the confirmed route 2 weeks prior to allow for final route checking.

Details

Start/Finish HQ:

Barn Farm, Birchover, Matlock, DE4 2BL

Date and Time: 

Saturday 26th June 2027

Sign-On from 06:30

Rider Briefing at 07:45

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 women (FLINTA) cyclists, aiming to help support greater participation of women in ultra-distance cycling

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 MUST be booked separately if required

• Tracker rental and website hosting

• Goodie bag

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

• Most importantly, the experience, achievement and satisfaction of attempting 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 be classed as a PPG finisher.  Participants completing one lap are credited with a XX and particpants completing two laps with XX.

• If you complete either full PPG, the XX or XX loops or the Prologue 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 nutrition, sleeping and rest outside of the HQ during these events. PPG is a self supported event so there is NO provision for recovery for full Pure Peak Gritters. For Prologue riders, recovery may be possible but is subjest to avalibility of event volunteers. 

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 (book as soon as possible to ensure availibilty and mention Pure Peak Grit when booking). Hot and cold drinks and hearty vegetarian based food will be available for riders for the duration.

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.

For 2027 we are classifying three levels of completion:

< Full Pure Peak Grit Finisher

massive challenge, no time limit enjoy all the hills

<one loop

speil about loop1

< two loop

speil about loop2

Prologue

We do not classify placings or timings for the Prologue as it is a introdutory event, and just taking on the challenge is an achievement in itself. 

Charity

Every year PPG supports a charity with links to the Peak District, supporting people in the local area or participating in outdoor activities and this year we are delighted to be supporting XX.

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.