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We Ride KILO TO GO's Tour of the Peak

Event: Verenti Tour of the Peak Sportive, Saturday 30th October 2010 | Rider Report: James Lyon

One of the final big Sportives of the year, the Tour of the Peak (organised by Sportive regulars KILO TO GO and with sponsorship from High5, Verenti bikes and Soreen) is a late season highlight in the Sportive calendar.

Above: Check out our video from the event

Starting at Chapel-en-le-Frith on the western edge of the Peak District, the route wound its way out over the hills to Macclesfield before taking in the legendary climb of Cat & Fiddle over to Buxton. A plethora of quiet back roads dropped riders into the picturesque village of Tideswell for the first feed stop where High5 and Soreen both had ample amounts of their products to fuel tired riders. More quiet lanes followed then the route threw in the first of its killer climbs, the infamous Winnats Pass taking riders out of the Hope Valley.

It was here that the route split with the long route putting another few feet of climbing by heading straight over Mam Nick and descending back into the Hope Valley via Edale, into Hope and out of the valley alongside the beautiful Ladybower Reservoir. A stiff pull up and over the moors brought riders over to Langsett Reservoir where another well stocked food station greeted riders. More undulations took riders across the Woodhead Pass and over into the West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth. Indeed with glorious blue skies and pleasantly warm conditions accompanying the riders it could almost have been Last of the Summer Wine on bikes.

From here though the only way was back up, over the killer climb of Holme Moss from its more difficult northern side. The descent was marred only by the persistent wind which threatened to bring more than one rider down as crosswinds pushed the unwary across the road. The route re-crossed Woodhead Pass and took riders through the market town of Glossop and up another sting in the tail, Chunal Head. There followed a string of undulations, down through Hayfield, up to Chinley Head, down into Chinley itself and then one final up-and-down into Chapel where after 97 miles riders were greeted by the welcome sign of the event HQ, more malt loaf from Soreen and High5 energy products to refuel tired legs.

Meanwhile, back at Winnats Pass the short route had split off taking riders along Rushup Edge before a short but steep plummet off the ridge and into the quiet lanes of Peak Forest and back towards Buxton. Out of Buxton up the aptly named Long Hill before forking off onto more quiet lanes, this time with a spin along the ridge and another rapid descent to the tiny hamlet of Combs. From Combs it was but a short few miles back to Chapel, with 65 challenging but enjoyable miles completed.

All riders who completed the routes received a well-stocked goodie bag with a Buff and a High5 race pack which, backed up with the excellent signage, the high quality route and the spectacular views and autumn colours made for a top notch day out and, with nearly 900 people taking part there was a great atmosphere throughout.

Kilo To Go are already well on the way with planning their 2011 season supported once again by British Cycling, you can find more details on www.kilotogo.com and www.britishcycling.org.uk