When: Sunday 10 July 2016

Where: Bakewell Showground, Derbyshire, DE45 1AQ 

Why ride it? Mellow rolling countryside and picture-postcard views combined with easy trails make for a fun relaxed summers ride.

For booking information visit BookMyRide

Bakewell, famous for its puddings, is an ever-popular tourist town and is a gateway to some picturesque riding among the rolling limestone hills that give the White Peak its name.

Both the Massif and Mini-Massif routes leave Bakewell on the Monsal Trail and loop around High Rake and Longstone Moor before rejoining the Monsal trail. Then the route passes through dramatic (and well-lit) old railway tunnels before joining the Pennine Bridleway at Parsley Hay.

If you’re a Strava user, for a more detailed look at the map and a 3D profil click here.

Mini Massif: 45 miles (68% off road, 32% on road)

Massif: 68 miles (64% off road, 36% on road)

The route follows limestone tracks around the back of the stunning village of Hartington- true Peak District gem. In Hartington the Massif leaves the Mini route and completes a loop out to achingly pretty Tissington on a cocktail of lanes, paved and unpaved bridleways and moor roads. The routes reunite to take in a stunning limestone road to Gotham. Not Gotham City, more Gotham Hamlet- no sightings of Batman yet.

The route to Gotham promises to be a lot of fun on a cross-bike, and a mix of limestone roads and old railway trails complete the return to Bakewell.

> For booking information visit BookMyRide <

Peak Progress

The Peak District Pioneer may get its name from the distances. At 109km and 75km respectively, they’re the longest in the series, but the terrain is slightly less technical and with less ascent than some of the other Adventure Cross events.

The White Peak’s gently rolling limestone plateau is dissected by a network of limestone dales, in some places the dales are steep-sided and contrast sharply with the plateau above, whole in others the plateau grades more gently into shallow dales. This contrast makes for a good variety of climbing styles.

Although the route doesn’t reach the altitudes of  Lakeland Monster Miles or the steepness of the seemingly vertical valley sides of South Wales, there are plenty of short punchy climbs as well as more gradual slopes to keep the legs entertained.

Make it a Weekender

Whilst not as technical as some other round, or as physically tough, on a summers day this quintessentially English scenery and rolling countryside promises a great day out on a bike. With the start and finish area at the Bakewell Showground on the edge of this bustling yet beautiful town, you will be able to relax and indulge in its famous sticky jam pudding- what better way to replace calories expended? Bakewell has plenty of hostelries to hole up in after a ride and with its abundance of gentle cycling trails for the rest of the family to enjoy, the Peak District Pioneer would make a great family weekend away.

Difficulty rating:
Technical terrain difficulty: 3/5
Wilderness Riding 3/5

Both routes suitable for Cross or Mountain Bike.

Enter at: www.bookmyride.co.uk

Other events this series are:

3 April – Moors & Shores – Dalby Forest, Yorkshire

15 May – Grizedale Grizzly – Cartmel, South Lakes, Cumbria

18 September – Galloway Gallop – Dumfries, Scotland

16 October – Lakeland Monster Miles – Keswick, North Lakes, Cumbria

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