← All eventsDark Peak Gravel Epic
HARDER (grade D) gravel sportive on steep, rough Dark Peak gritstone from Bakewell — 95/63km, technical descents, feed stations, no cut-offs. Climbing estimated (~2,200m). Date approximate.
One of the hardest rides in the Glorious Gravel series. 95km of steep, rough Dark Peak gritstone out of Bakewell, with an estimated 2,200m of climbing over rocky bridleway and open moorland.
The gravel here is chunky and loose, not smooth fire road. Short steep climbs need traction and low gears. The rutted descents need real bike control. Handling is where the time is won and lost.
There are no cut-offs, but do not read that as easy. Grade D terrain slows everyone down, so the 95km runs 5 to 7 hours. Even the shorter 63km route is a serious day on the same rough ground.
Is Dark Peak Gravel Epic for you?
- Riders who can descend chunky, rutted ground with confidence. On grade D gritstone, handling is the single biggest source of free time.
- Strong seated climbers. The steep, loose gritstone climbs reward low gears and traction, not big-gear grinding.
- Anyone chasing a genuinely hard gravel day without cut-off pressure. No clock chasing you off the course, just the terrain to respect.
- Riders with a few rough rides already in their legs. This is not a first-ever gravel outing, though the 63km suits those newer to technical ground.
Training plan for Dark Peak Gravel Epic
A training plan for Dark Peak Gravel Epic isn't a generic base build. Beina reads the event's exact demands, looks at your specific profile and the time you actually have, and maps a highly adapted plan to the start line.
- Steep, loose gritstone climbs that need low gears and seated traction, not big-gear grinding
- Chunky, rutted descents where confident handling wins time and hesitation loses it
- High climbing per km: an estimated 2,200m over 95km makes durability the deciding factor
- Exposed moorland tops and rough ground that fatigue the hands and body over 5 to 7 hours
- Steep gravel climb repeats: 4 to 6 efforts of 4 to 10 minutes at 85 to 95% FTP in a low gear on loose climbs
- Technical descent reps: repeated runs of chunky, rocky descents to build control and confidence
- Progressive long ride building from 2 hours toward 4 to 5 hours on rough, lumpy terrain
- Event-pace long ride: 4 to 5 hours at target intensity with full fuelling rehearsal at 60 to 90g of carbs an hour
- Built from your current fitness and the time you actually have
- Adapts every week as Beina learns how you respond
- Syncs your sessions straight to Garmin and Wahoo
- One clear next session, never a wall of spreadsheet
