Peak Audax hily Permanent

By "hilly" we mean any event that climbs a lot (reasonably enough), that is, more than 1500m.

Events are ranked by AAA points (Audax Altitude Award) where ¼ point is for a climb of 1500m over 100km, while a climb of 2600 over that distance would earn you 3 points. In short, the higher the AAA points, the more the climbing. Don't forget that for every climb there is a descent, so check your brakes!

They include the Wednesday Grimpeur series which Peak Audax runs each Wednesday during the summer from Marple; the Dark Peak, Mid Peak, White Peak, West Peak and Staffs Peak, all just over 100km long.

If you've tried those, then how about the Goyt Peak, Cheshire Peak and Monyash Peak rides, which are very much in the same mould.

Finally, if 100km doesn't seem long enough (Audax is a long distance cycling club after all) then the Dark & White Peak Grimpeur at 172km might be of more interest, or perhaps even the Long Dark & White Peak at 200km, which qualifes for both climbing and distance points.

Chris Crookes and Danial Webb
climb Mam Nick (Dark Peak)
(photo: Francis Cook)

Goyt Peak 100 Grimpeur [3 ]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:54

EVENTS

Goyt Peak 100

Explore the Goyt valley from Marple and New Mills to the Moors above Buxton, with lots of strenuous climbing at Jenkins Chapel, Macclesfield Forest, the Mudd and Werneth Low

click on map to expand

Total Distance:	105km 3 AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 3000m Max elevation: 500m
Start/finish:	Marple (SJ 959 886, between Stockport and Glossop on A626/B6101). Alternative starts (if you can get a timed receipt, carpark ticket or bank ATM slip to authenticate your start and finish times): Longnor, Macclesfield, Mottram
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	24km: Goyts Moss 38km: Longnor 59km: Langley 78km: Chinley 97km: Mottram
Useful Cafes:	36 km: Longnor, Craft Centre 47 km: Allgreave, Rose and Crown, Blaze Farm 83 km: Birch Vale, cafe near Sett Valley Cycleway crossing 93 km: Broadbottom, Garden Centre 105km: Marple, Co-op
Timings:	3 hours 30 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 30 mins (10kph )
How to enter:	send to Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX: * Entry Form * 2 stamped addressed A5 envelopes * entry fee eg cheque payable to 'M Wigley' NB if you are not a member of AUK, CTC or BC, please add a further £2 for temporary membership of AUK for the duration of the ride. This includes compulsory 3rd party insurance coverage

Monyash 100 Grimpeur [2½]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:54

EVENTS

Monyash 100

This was one of my favourite rides when Rob Kilby was running events out of Stockport. All the best bits are still there - that steep climb out of Combs, the excellent cafe at Monyash, the drop into Dovedale at Crowdecote, the gentle climb through Wildboarclough.

Some things have changed though, such as the start at Marple to avoid Stockport's traffic, the ride through Bakestonedale and through Monsall Dale, and the climb to Flash Bar now uses the little used but spectacular Hollinsclough Rake.

It's a scenic ride which sees some of the Peak District's best lanes.

Route Maps

Monyash 100

GPS track

Total Distance:	110km 2½ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2170m Max elevation: 454m
Start/finish:	Marple (SJ 959 886, between Stockport and Glossop on A626/B6101). Alternative starts (if you can get a timed receipt, carpark ticket or bank ATM slip to authenticate your start and finish times): Bakewell
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	15km: Pott Shrigley 27km: Combs 48km: Monsall Head 60km: Monyash 82km: Allgreave
Useful Cafes:	47 km: Monsall Head 60 km: Monyash, Old Smithy Cafe 81 km: Allgreave, Rose and Crown, Blaze Farm 110km: Marple, Co-op
Timings:	3 hours 40 mins (30kph) - 11 hours 00 mins (10kph )
How to enter:	send to Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX: * Entry Form * 2 stamped addressed A5 envelopes * entry fee eg cheque payable to 'M Wigley' NB if you are not a member of AUK, CTC or BC, please add a further £2 for temporary membership of AUK for the duration of the ride. This includes compulsory 3rd party insurance coverage

Cheshire Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¾]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:54

EVENTS

Cheshire Peak 100

You thought that the county of Cheshire was flat? This event will put you right as you explore the bits of the Peak District within Cheshire. (Actually, we do stray into Staffordshire with some terrific views over the Cheshire Plain)

Starting from Marple, there's a fairly easy ride to Bollington, Kerridge and skirting Macclesfield to reach Cleulow with fine views over the flat bit of Cheshire towards Wales. After the first cafe stop at Astbury, you have the short but severe climb to Mow Cop to enter Staffordshire and the fine scenery of the Roches.

Return to Cheshire for the ride through Wildboarclough and Lyme Park as you return to Marple. This Perm was formerly known as Mow Cop Perm

Route Maps

Cheshire Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	116km 2¾ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2803m Max elevation: 446m
Start/finish:	Marple (SJ 959 886, between Stockport and Glossop on A626/B6101). Alternative starts (if you can get a timed receipt, carpark ticket or bank ATM slip to authenticate your start and finish times): Bollington, Astbury, Biddulph
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	29km: Cleulow 48km: Astbury 54km: Mow Cop 81km: Roaches
Useful Cafes:	46 km: Astbury, Garden Centre 74 km: Meerbrook, Tittesworth Reservoir Visitor Centre 81 km: Roaches, Tishias' Teas (Fri-Sun only) 88 km: Allgreave, Rose and Crown, Blaze Farm 117km: Marple, Co-op
Timings:	3 hours 52 mins (30kph) - 11 hours 36 mins (10kph )
How to enter:	send to Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX: * Entry Form * 2 stamped addressed A5 envelopes * entry fee eg cheque payable to 'M Wigley' NB if you are not a member of AUK, CTC or BC, please add a further £2 for temporary membership of AUK for the duration of the ride. This includes compulsory 3rd party insurance coverage

Dark/White Peak 172 Grimpeur [3¼]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:54

EVENTS

Dark/White Peak 172

The Dark Peak may be rather a good ride, taking in Holme Moss and the Strines area of the Northern Peak District, but at 100km it's over all too soon. So, we've extended it into the southern limestone part of the Peak District to create the Dark and White Peak Grimpeur.

After the cafe stop at Edale and the climb of Mam Nick, the southern leg kicks in with the trip down to Millers Dale, through Monyash to Hartington. The return to Marple goes through Monsall Dale, Tideswell, Dove Holes and Buxworth.

Route Maps

GPS track

Total Distance:	172km 3¼ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 3250m Max elevation: 524m
Start/finish:	Marple (SJ 959 886, between Stockport and Glossop on A626/B6101). Alternative starts (if you can get a timed receipt, carpark ticket or bank ATM slip to authenticate your start and finish times): Glossop, Holmfirth, Bakewell
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	33km: Holmfirth 81km: Edale 117km: Hartington 134km: Monsall Head
Useful Cafes:	33 km: Holmfirth, Riverside cafe 46 km: Langsett 81 km: Edale, Station cafe 108km: Monyash, Old Smithy Cafe 134km: Monsall Head
Timings:	5 hours 44 mins (30kph) - 17 hours 12 mins (10kph )
How to enter:	send to Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX: * Entry Form * 2 stamped addressed A5 envelopes * entry fee eg cheque payable to 'M Wigley' NB if you are not a member of AUK, CTC or BC, please add a further £2 for temporary membership of AUK for the duration of the ride. This includes compulsory 3rd party insurance coverage

Dark/White Peak 200 Grimpeur [3¾]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:54

EVENTS

Dark/White Peak 200

For those who like to collect both AAA points and 2 AUK Championship points, this is the one for you. Get the best of the Dark Peak 100, with it's demanding climbs of Holme Moss, Strines and Mam Nick, and follow that up with the best of the White Peak 100, as we head down through Millers Dale, Hartington and Parwich to reach Carsington Water. The next leg to Hope takes in Elton, Ashford in the Water and Monsall Dale.

That just leaves the final challenge of Winnats Pass, then it's downhill all the way (more or less!) to Marple

Route Maps

GPS track

Total Distance:	205km 3¾ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 3790m Max elevation: 524m
Start/finish:	Marple (SJ 959 886, between Stockport and Glossop on A626/B6101). Alternative starts (if you can get a timed receipt, carpark ticket or bank ATM slip to authenticate your start and finish times): Glossop, Holmfirth, Bakewell
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	33km: Holmfirth 81km: Edale 117km: Hartington 134km: Carsington 175km: Hope
Useful Cafes:	33 km: Holmfirth, Riverside cafe 46 km: Langsett 81 km: Edale, Station cafe 108km: Monyash, Old Smithy Cafe 134km: Carsington, Visitor Centre cafe 176km: Hope, Woodbine cafe
Timings:	6 hours 50 mins (30kph) - 20 hours 30 mins (10kph )
How to enter:	send to Mike Wigley, Higher Grange Farm, Millcroft Lane, Delph OL3 5UX: * Entry Form * 2 stamped addressed A5 envelopes * entry fee eg cheque payable to 'M Wigley' NB if you are not a member of AUK, CTC or BC, please add a further £2 for temporary membership of AUK for the duration of the ride. This includes compulsory 3rd party insurance coverage

Hilly Permanents

Hilly Perms:

Goyt Peak 100 Grimpeur [3 ]

105km 3 AAA points

Monyash 100 Grimpeur [2½]

110km 2½ AAA points

Cheshire Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¾]

116km 2¾ AAA points

Dark/White Peak 172 Grimpeur [3¼]

172km 3¼ AAA points

Dark/White Peak 200 Grimpeur [3¾]

205km 3¾ AAA points