I’m Valerio, a gravel rider, bikepacker, and occasional designer of slightly audacious routes. After the success of the inaugural Overnighter in 2024, I couldn’t wait to bring more riders together for another weekend of two-wheeled camaraderie, challenge, and discovery. The Peak Gravel Overnighter is a friendly group expedition that takes us from Manchester's city centre into the quiet bridleways and rolling hills of the Peak District National Park. The premise is simple: load up your bike with a tent, sleeping kit, and plenty of snacks, then ride. Some travel light, while others bring the kitchen sink. The beauty of this event is that it’s not about who is fastest. It’s about riding together, sharing a laugh (or a curse) at the climbs and the rain, and finishing the weekend a little muddier but a lot happier.
Day One: From the City to the Hills
We gathered at Balance Brewing & Blending, fuelled by KickBack coffee and pastries. The crowd was wonderfully mixed, featuring seasoned ultra racers, first-time bikepackers, and everyone in between. Spirits were high, despite a weather forecast that promised more showers than sunshine.
Barely 20 kilometres into the ride, the forecast proved accurate. We were soaked through by the time we reached the first café stop, a classic British cycling experience that only strengthened our sense of shared adventure. Waterproof jackets and trousers quickly became the main topic of conversation as we refuelled with more coffee and cake. The route wound through towpaths, lanes, and bridleways before presenting a choice: riders could take a smoother, longer option or a more rugged explorer variant across the Pennine Bridleway. Unfortunately, the promised reward of sweeping Peak District views never materialised, as we found ourselves riding directly through the clouds.
When we arrived in Bamford, we had to pitch our tents in the driving rain before everyone bolted for the local pub. Within minutes, we had transformed one corner into a makeshift drying room, warming ourselves by the fire with plates of hot food and pints in hand.
Day Two: The Broken Road and the Roll Home
Mercifully, Sunday dawned bright. Fresh pastries and coffee at camp coaxed us from our damp sleeping bags and onto our bikes for the day’s highlight: Mam Tor and the famous Broken Road. The crumbling tarmac, once a vital link between Manchester and Sheffield, now serves as a dramatic and unforgettable cycling stage. The climbs were steep and the views were sweeping, putting wide smiles on everyone's faces.
From there, the ride softened as abandoned rail lines, woodland tracks, and rolling lanes guided us back toward the city. One final coffee stop punctuated the journey before our celebratory return to Balance Brewery, where the smell of pizza and the sound of laughter filled the taproom.
Reflections
The 2025 Overnighter reminded us why we love bikepacking. It’s not about having the perfect bike, achieving a certain speed, or waiting for sunshine. It’s about being present in the moment, embracing uncertainty, and connecting with the terrain, with fellow riders, and with ourselves.
A few takeaways from this year:
1. Stops are part of the ride. Café breaks, photo pauses, and moments to regroup make the miles feel easier and the experience richer.
2. Kit matters, but not too much. I stayed perfectly comfortable all weekend in my CIOVITA Merino base layer, which kept me warm in the rain and cool during the effort, while the Apex Cargo Bibs ensured my snacks and phone were always within easy reach.
3. Options provide freedom. Having both smoother and more technical route variants ensured that everyone could tailor the challenge to their own ability and preference. The memorable challenges are worth the effort. Even if they take a little more out of you, they are the sections we will all be talking about until next year.
Looking Ahead
If this has you thinking, “I’d love to try that,” then you are in luck. The adventure continues with the Tor Divide returning on 16-17 May 2026. Whatever the weather, we would love to have you along for the ride. A huge thank you to all the riders, volunteers, cafés, and pubs that made the 2025 event so unforgettable. See you on the trails.
