HOME OF THE UK'S HIGHEST ROADS. THE PENNINES OFFERS UNRIVALLED BEAUTY, UNMATCHED ELEVATION, AND A LANDSCAPE BUILT FOR A CHALLENGE. WELCOME TO RAID THE PENNINES.

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NINE CHECKPOINTS ACROSS THE PENNINES

Raid The Pennines is a one day, self supported adventure cycling event from Band of Climbers. Your challenge is to traverse nine checkpoints placed around the Pennines. Those checkpoints are the summits of nine of Pennines toughest climbs, and the UK's highest roads. Collect the codes at each checkpoint to complete the raid.

ROAD OR GRAVEL. YOUR ROUTE. YOUR RULES

You choose how you pass through those checkpoints. You can choose road bikes, gravel bikes or MTB's. The choice is yours. You plan your route, you support yourself for the ride, and you choose which side of every climb you'll ride. But however you do it, you'll be riding around 200km, with 5000m of climbing. (124 miles and 16,000ft). It's a big day out.

12 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE RAID

The start line opens at 6am. You must finish by 6pm. Stop whenever you like, ride whenever you like. Start any time from 6am, but be aware that you must complete the Raid by 6pm to earn your finishing beer/drink.

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MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT

Our host venue, Derwent Waterside Park has a huge campsite overlooking the stunning Derwent Reservoir. For £10, you can camp overnight on the Saturday, enjoy a breakfast in the on site cafe, then roll to the start line. At the finish, we'll have beers, donuts and burgers in the on site cafe.

  • On Site Camping

    Camp on site at Derwent Waterside Park, in a tent or campervan, and roll to the start line. (£10)

  • Beers at the Finish

    Enjoy a beer or drink on us at the finish line in the on site cafe. You will have earned it!

  • Rewards

    Enjoy a burger, donuts from DeepNorth and more at the finish line. You'll need it.

THE CHECKPOINTS

CLICK ON THE BLACK ICONS FOR THE DETAILS OF EACH CHECKPOINT YOU MUST PASS THROUGH.

THE CLIMBS

  • GREAT DUN FELL

    The highest climb in the UK. And possibly the hardest, especially in the wind. If you haven't climbed Dun Fell yet, you're in for a treat.

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  • CHAPEL FELL

    The 2nd highest road in the UK. Another beast of a climb. The north side is tougher, so which side do you choose?

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  • HARTSIDE PASS

    The only true Alpine style climb in England. Long, gradual, stunning. Ride both sides if you like, or choose one.

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  • CRAWLEYSIDE

    Crawleyside is another giant of the Pennines. From either side, it's long, steep, and challenging, especially in the wind.

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  • BOLLIHOPE COMMON

    One of the hidden gems of the Pennines. Do not underestimate the steep switchbacks near the foot of the climb.

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  • DOWGANG HUSH (NENTHEAD)

    Anyone who has completed the C2C will tell you that Nenthead is brutal. Steep, exposed and remote.

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  • MIDDLEHOPE (Via Peat Hill)

    Middlehope itself isn't a climb, but, to reach the checkpoint, you have the choice of 3 brutal climbs, all of them steep. Do you choose to climb from Ireshopeburn, Westgate, or Rookhope.

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  • ABOVE ROOKHOPE

    An essential crossing point in Raid the Pennines, however you reach Rookhope, it's going to sting the legs.

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  • NEWBIGGIN COMMON

    Another wild and remote climb, and perhaps the quietest ascent in the region, almost traffic free.

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WHERE AND WHEN?

YOU ARE THE ROUTE PLANNER

This is a self supported, and self planned adventure event. You must plan your own route to cross the 9 checkpoints. You can reach each checkpoint from either side of any climb. This is your route. At each checkpoint there will be a BoC Checkpoint Signpost. You must record the code on that signpost in your Route Card, to show at the finish line. Below, you'll find just 2 of our favourite route ideas. We're not giving you the GPX files though, unless you ask nicely :)

  • THE CIRCULAR

    In this possible circular route, riders will avoid a double ascent of Hartside Pass, but add in a long and challenging traverse of the Pennines from Appleby to Middleton in Teesdale. This route also takes in the easier, south side of Chapel Fell.

  • THE OUT AND BACK

    A double ascent of Harstide Pass awaits on this possible route, which also includes the tougher side of both Newbiggin Common and Chapel Fell.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Raid the Pennines is owned and operated by Band of Climbers. This is a self supported adventure event. There are no route markers, as you plan your own route. There are no guaranteed feed stations, although subject to weather on the day, we may add a water station at the foot of Great Dun Fell. That said, We're here to support you with:

CHIP TIMING + CHECKPOINT SIGNAGE & CODES + EVENT PHOTOS + BEER AT THE FINISH LINE + RIDER PACK FROM BAND OF CLIMBERS + THE SATISFACTION OF COMPLETING ONE OF THE THE TOUGHEST ONE DAY EVENTS IN THE UK

WOMEN'S ENTRIES

We're ensuring that at least 25% of the places available on this event are reserved for women. Why? Because in 2023, less than 5% of our sportive entrants were female riders, and we'd really love to see more women take on our events in 2024.

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150 PLACES AVAILABLE

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