Behind the scenes at Pure Peak Grit

This year, Restrap is supporting an event that has been on our radar for the last few years, thanks to it's beautifully simple concept: ticking off every road climb in the Peak District in a single push. We had a chat with Race Directors, Dave McLeavy and Laura Massey-Pugh about the event's short history and what's new for 2025.

Describe Pure Peak Grit in a nutshell?

In its simplest terms, PPG is the hilliest long distance road ride in the UK!  It's a cycling event at the end of June which sees a small group of riders take on a route that was originally designed to incorporate as many climbs in the Peak District and the surrounding area in one continuous loop as possible. The event and the route has changed a little since its first outing (you can read more about the event's birth here), but the essence of the event remains the same. It's over 600km in length, contains more than 13,500m in vertical ascent and the riders do it all self supported.

In a more abstract sense, it's a challenge of both mind and body, and many riders consider it more as an adventure than a race (in fact it's a challenge just to complete the route). One rider last year described it best..."Brutal"

What is the history of the route and how has the event evolved since it was developed?

The first edition of the event wasn't actually open to the public. It was the brainchild of Alaina Beacall, a cyclist based here in Sheffield who wanted to plan a route which herself and a small group of fellow female cyclists could take on to test themselves against the terrain that was right on their doorstep. After that, Alaina opened the event up to the public, and brought on other supporters and cyclists to help run subsequent editions, including endurance athletes such as Jasmijn Muller and Nicky Shaw. We (Dave & Laura) got involved in running the 2024 edition of the event and have taken a lead on developing this years edition. Each year the route has changed slightly to keep it fresh and in response to changing circumstances, but the intention is to ensure it remains one of the toughest but most rewarding events in the UK.

You've got a new event HQ this year. How do you think that will change the vibe?
We have had event HQ's in previous years, but the format meant that these were start and finish locations, and we had a separate venue mid way through the route which worked as a halfway hall. This year we wanted to build on the community spirit that comes alive within the event, therefore we made a conscious decision to have a central HQ where riders started from and finished at, but is also a point where riders pass through multiple times during the event. One of the best bits for the riders (and us) is having the chance to share stories of what's happened out on the route. As it's a self supported and solo event, once the riders head out, all we have to follow them is their trackers. So when they come back to the HQ, they will come with tales from the last 200km of riding, and let me tell you...a lot can happen in 200km!

The format helps build on the community vibe of the event, which is at the heart. It's not really about finishing first, it's about challenging yourself and sharing that experience with others.

The climbs are obviously one of the main attractions of the route and riding in the Peak in general, what are your personal favourites?

The Peak District is known for having some of the most amazing climbs in the country and the event features many of the "Top 100 climbs" such as Winnats Pass, Rowsley Bar, Holme Moss, Cat and Fiddle and Snake Pass. There are also some hill climb classics in there like Monsal Head and Bank Road which feature in National Championships each year. The route covers pretty much all of the Peak District National Park and riders will not only get to experience its natural beauty but also get a sense of the local culture and history which makes the Park such a special place.

Are there any hidden gems in there that riders should look out for?

As well as the famous climbs, local knowledge meant we've found some lesser known fantastic climbs too- often on quieter roads and tucked behind sleepy villages; these climbs are no less challenging!  There's some particularly challenging gradients around the village of Bradfield, sneaky hidden epics around the back of Grindleford and Hathersage and gritty back roads in all four corners of the Peak.
We list 44 named climbs on our route... but by no means is that all of them!  We like to throw in a few surprises to keep riders on their toes too!

---

Pure Peak Grit 2025 starts on 28/06/25. Entries are open now. Enter or find our more here.

All images: James Clarkson