Peak Audax peak 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)

Dark Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¼]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:55

EVENTS

Starting from Marple, this ride makes it way to Glossop and the Longdendale valley. The climb of Holme Moss is the literal high point followed by a well-earned cafe stop in Holmfirth.

The climbing resumes straight away as we make our way to Langsett and the challenging roads over Strinesdale. Another cafe stop in Edale precedes the last main climb up to Mam Tor.

If that's too short, try the Dark and White Peak Grimpeur (170km) or even the big one ... the Long Dark & White Peak Super Grimpeur (200km)

Route Maps

Dark Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	108km 2¼ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2290m 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, Hope, Chapel en le Frith
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	33km: Holmfirth 81km: Edale
Useful Cafes:	33 km: Holmfirth, Riverside cafe 46 km: Langsett 81 km: Edale, Station cafe
Timings:	3 hours 36 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 48 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

Mid Peak 100 Grimpeur [2½]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:55

EVENTS

Over to Glossop and then the long climb overSnake Pass to Ladybower, then up Stanage Edge, before dropping to Hathersage for our first cafe stop

Another climb to Bretton, then over to Ahsford and Kirkdale before the excellent cafe at Monyash.

Return to Marple through Millers Dale and Buxworth

Route Maps

Mid Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	108km 2½ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2400m Max elevation: 512m
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, Hathersage, Ashford in the Water
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	40km: Stanage 44km: Hathersage 53km: Bretton 70km: Monyash
Useful Cafes:	44 km: Hathersage, Pool Cafe 70 km: Monyash, Old Smithy Cafe
Timings:	3 hours 36 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 48 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

White Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¼]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:55

EVENTS

Into the Limestone areas of Monsall Dale and Millers Dale

Route Maps

White Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	103km 2¼ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2310m Max elevation: 428m
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, Buxton
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	40km: Ashford 55km: Biggin 65km: Monyash 91km: Buxworth
Useful Cafes:	38 km: Monsall Head 67 km: Monyash, Old Smithy Cafe
Timings:	3 hours 26 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 18 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

West Peak 100 Grimpeur [2½]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:55

EVENTS

Through Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough to a first stop at Meerbrook with its visitor centre cafe. The over the Mermaid and Flash Bar to the Laundrette cafe at Buxton.

The return to Marple involves a very fast drop into the Goyt valley (care!) and some slower climbs before after Kettleshulme

Route Maps

West Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	108km 2½ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2400m Max elevation: 1807m
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, Leek, Buxton
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	28km: Wildboarclough 45km: Meerbrook 59km: Hulme End 73km: Flash Bar 80km: Buxton
Useful Cafes:	45 km: Meerbrook, Tittesworth Reservoir Visitor Centre km: Buxton, Laundrette cafe
Timings:	3 hours 36 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 48 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

Staffs Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¾]

page last updated
12/11/2009
16:55

EVENTS

The big one! This ride climbs all the way but the views are well worth the effort. See Kettleshulme, the Goyt valley and Axe Edge, the Manifold Valley at Wetton, and the Mermaid.

The return to Marple via Meerbrook and Gun Moor, Kerridge and Bakestonedale

Route Maps

Staffordshire Peak

GPS track

Total Distance:	109km 2¾ AAA points
Climbing:	Total ascent: 2800m Max elevation: 510m
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, Leek
Entry Fee:	£3.00 for members of AUK, CTC or BCF £5.00 for non-members
Controls:	50km: Wetton Mill 65km: Meerbrook 93km: Pott Shrigley
Useful Cafes:	35 km: Longnor, Craft Centre 50 km: Wetton Mill, NationalTrust cafe 65 km: Meerbrook, Tittesworth Reservoir Visitor Centre
Timings:	3 hours 38 mins (30kph) - 10 hours 54 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:

Dark Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¼]

108km 2¼ AAA points

Mid Peak 100 Grimpeur [2½]

108km 2½ AAA points

White Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¼]

103km 2¼ AAA points

West Peak 100 Grimpeur [2½]

108km 2½ AAA points

Staffs Peak 100 Grimpeur [2¾]

109km 2¾ AAA points