This Gruff year, our sixth, we have a tried and tested route of 67km, a touch longer than advertised after a couple of ‘quality’ revisions. Hope you like it and appreciate the choices we have made, with some tough but mainly pleasurable riding our priority. Last year’s Gruff riders will recognise some sections but from a very different perspective 😉 There is a real sharp sting in the tail to test your mettle (and your metal 😉

As last year, we have tested and ridden an extension loop at +/- 80km which, if you are a bit more adventurous in your riding style, accesses the superb Long Dale via some quality gravel tracks which we can’t reach without the longer route. Your choice.

Both have been ridden several times (admittedly in the dry!) with a selection of tyre choices – I have done it all on 35s although 40+ will add comfort. Throughout the route there are several quality coffee and cake stops and a few pub options if required. Stay safe, hydrate and please share photos and feedback!

We believe in a relaxed start where you register and go in your own time, maybe after a butty and complimentary espresso. This allows us to stretch out the riders and keep the tracks and trails free for you and your mates to enjoy. It’s not a race!

For the third year running, our good friends along the valley at Alpkit Hathersage are providing mechanical support at the Event Centre and spot prizes for a couple of the Gruff ‘Strava Segments’.

Previous Gruff editions were forays into the Dark Peak, often over tough, off-road tracks shared with our MTB community. After feedback, we turned our focus to the White Peak and the green lanes, quarry tracks and drove roads we love.

Last year’s loops emphasised the gravel tracks and trails we have in abundance in the South Peak and were very well received, described as a ‘Strada Bianchi’ for the Derbyshire Dales. Take all the time you need and  enjoy the views, the flow & maybe a cake in a caff (or pint in a pub garden 😉

The 2024 routes will be shared 7 days before the Goat event; GPX and TCX files will be sent to entrants, with support getting the route onto your device. They will be available to download on the Strava Club page.

FAQs, advice on terrain, food and drink stops, equipment and conditions will be updated via email on Thursday 5th.

All participants will register from 8.30 a.m. and are free to set off individually or in small groups in your own time from 9 a.m, leaving the roadies to queue in their roadie pens. 😉  If you are Old School Audax, you’ll bring your own OS Map for your back pocket…

Not without considerable interest, the routes will be a challenge and, given our unique location, has views and byways to ride for. *There may be short sections where hike-a-bike or pushing is necessary – there are no carries’ so e-bikes will be OK. Our LONG ride is definitely at the adventure end of gravel! Take lots of pics of the best bits and save some energy for the two Strava Segments to win a Spot Prize from Alpkit Hathersage.

Check out some the Feedback from 2022:

Thanks for an amazing day on Sunday. The Gruff route was brilliant and full of lots of little gravel lanes that I didn’t know about. I’m super pleased with my speedy run over the Chelmorton bumpy bit – how do I receive my prize?