Cyclists invited to ride The Hidden Peak

An exciting cycling event, The National Trust's The Hidden Peak, will take place on the 20 October 2013 in the Peak District, starting and finishing at Lady Manners School in Bakewell. 

Now in its third year, this popular sportive has three fabulous new routes which will be fully signed for riders to follow, each going through some of England’s most stunning countryside and offering riders the opportunity to explore areas they may never have been to before. From the green valleys of the White Peak to the atmospheric gritstone edges of the Dark Peak, riders can take in some of the most fantastic roads in the area on what promises to be a challenging and rewarding ride. 

The routes comprise of a 40k (25 mile) circuit in the limestone country of the White Peak, ideally suited to those who might be doing their first sportive; an 80k (50 mile) medium route showcasing some of the best of the Central Peak District; and last but not least a challenging 130k (80 mile) ride for the more experienced sportive rider, through the very best of the Dark and White Peak.

National Trust Rangers, staff, and volunteers will be on hand along the route to keep cyclists well-fuelled (with snacks and drinks at feed stations) and point them in the right direction.  Dark Peak Ranger Myles Brazil says: “It’s a fantastic event not just for hardened sportive riders but for anyone who wants a great day out exploring and discovering the more hidden parts of the Peaks. This will be our third sportive and we hope to build on the success of the previous years.”

Last year’s sportive enjoyed great success, with participants describing the route as ‘fantastic’, ‘challenging’, ‘beautiful’, ‘scenic’ and ‘exhilarating’. Taking in some iconic sights as well as undiscovered back roads, The Hidden Peak promises to please those looking for something out of the ordinary.

The sportive is coordinated in partnership with Dark & White Challenge Events, a Peak District based events organiser which specialises in putting people through their paces in the stunning Peak landscape.

For further details about The Hidden Peak routes, charges and entry details please visit http://www.darkandwhite.co.uk.