Now in its third year, the Peak Epic sportive has established a reputation as one of the UK's toughest 100 mile sportives. With no changes this year to the well-received route, organisers Dark & White think they have found the perfect recipe for a challenging Peaks sportive - and are keen to hear how riders rate the 2015 edition on 31 May.
The Peak Epic will take you through roads and stunning Peakland views that you never even knew existed - all a world away from the traffic-filled major roads and the bustling tourist towns and villages.
The truly epic long route ascends 4000m (>13,000ft) in just 165km (103 miles) across the full length and breadth of the Peak District. If you don't fancy the demands of the long route then there are medium and short route options of 101km and 63km respectively.
Route overview
From the start on the outskirts of Bakewell, all the routes initially head north-east into the Chatsworth Estate and through the pretty village of Pilsley; look out for how all Chatsworth houses have distinctive blue painted woodwork adorning them. Now bearing west, riders will ascend the spectacular Longstone Edge climb before dropping down to the majestic Wye Valley at Cressbrook.
At the picturesque village of Litton, the first Beat the Bonk feed station will see the routes split with the short and medium riders heading to Miller's Dale before going their separate ways; the long route from Litton heads north over to Abney and down a breathtaking descent to Hathersage. Climbs of Higger Tor and Bolehill quickly follow, which will bring riders a stone's throw from the famous Stanage Edge. After the steep ascent of Bradwell Moor, riders drop back down to the Hope Valley before meandering along the Vale of Edale to the second feed-station - take note, riders must turn into the Edale P&D car park to dib at the checkpoint!
Shortly after the ascent of Mam Nick with its fantastic northerly views of the Dark Peak and the Kinder Plateau, long route riders will be rejoined by medium route riders who, after climbing out of Miller's Dale up to Wormhill, will have headed north via Peak Forest to join up with the long route on Rushup Edge. A fantastic small lane with stunning northerly views then takes riders across from Dove Holes to the picturesque village of Combs. The long route then heads sharply upwards via Hanging Rocks before rejoining the medium route for the long ascent up to Pym Chair. At the top be sure to take in the breathtaking scenery before descending down to Errwood Reservoir.
At the head of the Goyt Valley enjoy the treat of another Beat the Bonk feed station. From here the medium route heads eastwards across open moorland with some big Peakland views to savour towards Earl Sterndale via Axe Edge. The long route riders continue to head westwards up to the famous Cat & Fiddle Pub, and thereafter into some great riding in Macclesfield Forest. At Langley, riders can finally turn east and start to head for home!
The final feed station awaits at the highest village in Britain, Flash, before riders head to Earl Sterndale where all the routes reunite for the final run to the finish.
The short route goes direct from Miller's Dale via Taddington and Chelmorton to rejoin the long and medium route at Earl Sterndale.
The final section of all three routes after Earl Sterndale is relatively fast, with a lot of height to lose; however, don't be fooled into thinking it is all easy and beware of the final kicker out of Lathkill Dale!
The whole route will be fully signed with marshalled checkpoints/feed stations on all routes (long x4, medium x2, short x1). In addition to the regular signage there will be bespoke en-route climb boards at the roadside (like those you find in the Alps and Pyrenees) depicting average gradient, metres of ascent and length of all the 14 major climbs.
Find out more about the climbs of the Peak Epic in the accompanying event road book, available here.
Riders on the day can expect:
- A clearly signed/arrowed route
- Beat the Bonk feed stations providing a selection of the best sports nutrition along with juice, biscuits and bananas
- En-route climb information boards
- Colour route map including emergency numbers
- SPORTident chip timing for instant post-event rider times
- Refreshments at the finish
- Event Photographer Chris Meads
- Finishing certificates: Platinum (long route only), gold, silver and bronze awards based on your finishing time. Separate women award times.
For more information including route maps and climb profiles, and to register, visit the event website at darkwhitecycling.co.uk.
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