Long Route
73km | 1600m
Medium Route
42km | 950m
Ride Overview
A winter warmer in the Hope Valley, one of the most spectacular parts of the Peak District! Choose between the long 73km or the medium 42km route taking in a mix of winter friendly gravel and back roads – ideal to give you something to train for over the long cold months.
The route takes in wild sections of the moors, the fast & fun Monsal Trail and gravel tracks around the national park. Being in winter, this has more tarmac than a normal Glorious Gravel ride with approx 60% on back roads and 40% on winter friendly gravel.
Highlights
- Winter friendly gravel including the Monsal Trail.
- Get off the beaten track on some stunning sections over the moors and through rolling hills.
- Hot drinks and real food served at the regular checkpoints to keep you going!
Included in Entry
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with Proper Food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30 - 35km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more .
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
Event Program
22nd Feb: GPX files and pre ride briefing video sent by email to each rider.
24th Feb – 8.30am: Ride village in Hope opens. Collecting your ride number takes approx 10 mins.
24th Feb – 9am to 9.30am: Ride start. We will give you a short ride briefing and set you off in small groups.
24th Feb – 6.30pm: Rider village closes
24th Feb – 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email.
Long Route
Starting in Hope, our first ride of 2024 hits gravel after 3km as we head east before our first climb of the season after 7km (mostly road with a couple of gravel sections, a total of 6km averaging 4%).
We head over the moors and then have a fun, long road descent to Grindleford before hitting the gravel around the quarries.
At about halfway we go onto the Monsal Trail for 10km before heading back north via a road climb (2km) and gravel climb (2km) and a fun off road descent back into Hope for a well earned hot drink and food!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance:
73km
Elevation:
1600m
Difficulty:
3.5/5
Medium Route
The medium route follows the long route for the first 28km so you can choose at that point which route to take on. There is one long (mostly road) climb up to the split.
At the split, the medium route heads north with a 2km road climb to get over and then rolling sections on gravel before descending back into Hope.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 40%
Distance:
42km
Elevation:
950m
Difficulty:
2.5/5
Short Route
A really nice short route taking in a mix of back roads and two long gravel sections. The route follows the long route for the first 30km to the feed stop and then chops out the bottom half, finishing on some nice gravel back to Buxton.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 55%
Distance:
59km
Elevation:
785m
Difficulty:
2.5/5
Bike Selection & Packing List
Bike Choice: The route is largely off road on good quality gravel so we recommend a gravel bike though a mountain bike will be fine. E-bikes are allowed on all of our rides.
Tyre Choice: We will send an update on conditions closer to the ride. The gravel on the route is mixed so a 40-50mm all rounder gravel tyre will be ideal.
Packing List: Bring equipment to be self sufficient on the route (inner tubes, sealant, multi-tool, pump or CO2 etc). We recommend a bell to warn walkers / runners of your presence.
Clothing: Late Feb in the Peaks is likely to be chilly. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing so pack warm layers & a waterproof jacket. Helmets are mandatory, you will not be able to ride without one.
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes just outside Hope. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.
Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law.
We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting.
Yes, we start between 8am and 9.30am and set people off in small groups so the off road sections are not too busy. Please come to the start line with anyone you want to ride with, we will give a short ride briefing and set you off.