Page 1 of 2

The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:01 pm
by Valerio
Hi All,

I've been working on a bikepacking event that is close to where I live and "easy" enough to be accessible to people that aren't ultra-athletes or have lots of spare time to take off work, but at the same time is challenging enough to make it rewarding for those that complete it.

I'm quietly launching it and have put a limited number of early bird tickets on sale, which I'm sharing first with the groups that have helped me getting into cycling and bikepacking.
This is the kind of event I would have liked to have on my doorstep when I first looked into bikepacking, and I hope it can help the local bikepacking community grow through the year.

TOR DIVIDE

I really hope to see as many of you there as possible, and look forward to meeting some of you at the BB200 next week.

https://youtu.be/mAARMwG796w?si=BLaJp8nkXzdJ_MiB

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:41 pm
by boxelder
Looks like you've put a lot of work in - good luck with getting it going. Date's not good for me unfortunately. I need an excuse to return to the Peak (Sheffield student and lived in Buxton for a few years).

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 9:58 pm
by Alexinthepeaks
Well obviously ill be there!! :-bd

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:21 pm
by Valerio
Thanks both!!!!

Yes it has been a lot of work, a lot more than I anticipated. It's been tough but exciting, hopefully the work pays off and people enjoy the event.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

ps: early bird tickets have gone out quite quickly but there are still a few left

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 12:49 pm
by Rockbus
This looks great, well done in setting up.
I’m definitely interested and hope it might inspire me to get fitter over the winter so I can do this and the WRT.

Just need work out if I ca; be certain on dates so can enter now

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:57 pm
by Wotsits
Looks good :-bd

Got a pretty busy May already, but will try to get over for even the ‘short’ route 👍

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:34 pm
by ssnowman
Looks good, I’ve not ridden in the Peak District, so I fancy this. Is there a limit on number of entrants?

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:16 am
by trob6
Looks good , me and a friend have entered :-bd

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:58 am
by Valerio
trob6 wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:16 am Looks good , me and a friend have entered :-bd

Fantastic!!! See you in May then! :D

Glad to see people are excited about this, I know I am!

Regarding tickets:
- there are 15early bird tickets left
- the rest of the tickets will go on sale probably in about 1 month time (by then I hope to have some good news to share)
- yes, there is a limited number of participants which is 150ppl

Best way to stay up to date if you're interested but can't commit now is by subscribing to the mailing list on the website and following the Instagram page.

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2023 8:00 am
by thenorthwind
14 (or less) now :grin:

The name hooked me in 👏👏 :lol:

I clicked through to the website with my usual general aura of cynicism, but I can't fault the ethos behind it, and I particularly like the donation to the local trail association that's built into the entry fee, and the genuine effort to encourage a more sustainable approach - I will probably go for a plastic-free finish.
trob6 wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:16 am Looks good , me and a friend have entered :-bd
I was going to message you about this Tim, but you've got there before me. See you there :-bd

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:42 am
by trob6
In which case Dave me and 2 friends have entered! :grin:

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2023 10:36 pm
by Valerio
Thanks all for the kind words!

Early bird tickets are now sold out! Best way to stay in the loop is by subscribing to the mailing list on the website or following the Instagram page.

See you tomorrow morning at the BB200!

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2023 12:47 am
by Valerio
More tickets are now available with a limited offer/product giveaway.

You can read the details and enter here:
https://tordivide.co.uk/enter

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:51 pm
by riderdown
Entered as I missed the early bird, slightly disappointed in the lack of a discount code :wink:

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:01 pm
by Valerio
riderdown wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:51 pm Entered as I missed the early bird, slightly disappointed in the lack of a discount code :wink:
Hi that's great news, thanks for signing up to the event!

The early bird tickets are heavily discounted to reward ppl for taking a "leap of faith on a new and obscure event, but there's still a 10% discount on the final price on the website until the 15th November.

We also manged to get discount codes from brands (e.g. 15% at tailfin) and will run some giveaways. I'm hoping it makes partying ways with hard earned cash less painful :)

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 10:57 pm
by riderdown
Don't worry about it, enjoyed your video on BB200

Hopefully you won't be taking route planning tips from Stu :-bd

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:38 am
by Valerio
riderdown wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2023 10:57 pm Don't worry about it, enjoyed your video on BB200

Hopefully you won't be taking route planning tips from Stu :-bd
Thank you!

And no, I hope it doesn't disappoint anyone but the route is mostly rideable :lol:

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 9:20 am
by riderdown
mostly
Shudders..............

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:20 pm
by Valerio
Hahhaha I'll clarify: the route is entirely rideable (there might be the odd gate or fence that requires lifting the bike) but there will be bits where i expect several people to walk due to the terrain, tiredness, weight of bikepacking set up etc.
It's not meant to be a crazy hard route, and i want as many people as possible to finish, but people after a fast time shouldn't expect it to be a walk in the park.

Not sure that gets Stuart's approval :lol:

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 4:36 pm
by riderdown
Not sure that gets Stuart's approval
I'm sure it will

BB200/300 are not normal events (helps if you get that before Strata Florida in the dark), Other events need to have their own vibe as do Stu's other ones

Looking forward to blue skies and dusty trails.......

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 5:37 pm
by Alexinthepeaks
Looking foreward to this! And yes ill be chasing a fast time!

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2023 7:16 pm
by Valerio
Just a quick note to say that there's still a handful of discounted tickets available on the website until the 25th.

If you enter before the 25th you'll also be able to enter the giveaway for a Redshift shockstop stem. It has saved my wrists on multiple occasions and I really recommend it.

Good luck!

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:30 pm
by Valerio
Apologies for another shameless "up" to the thread.

We are running another giveaway, this time with Tailfin. A lucky winner will take home one of their latest fork bags, and 3 runners up will win a top tube bag each.
Competition closes on the 7th January
Link to enter here: https://tordivide.co.uk/enter

I hope to see you in May!

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:44 pm
by Valerio
Shameless UP to get some visibility to the event :)

I'm hoping to be able to share some good news soon.

Re: The Tor Divide - bikepacking challenge across the Peak District

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2024 1:25 pm
by Valerio
One final - I promise! - message to say that entries to the event close next Saturday.

£59 ticket gives you
  • 2 GPXs one for the 250km route and one for the 150km route. Pick one and complete it in less than 36hrs to be listed as finisher.
  • £5 back if you travel to the start by public transport or bike
  • £5 donation to local MTB group that maintains trails
  • Tea, Kickback coffee and biscuits at registration
  • Bum Butter chamois cream
  • Styrkr BAR50
  • GRVL Socks
  • Discount at Tailfin
  • £75 discount at Zolla
  • 20% discount at Harriers runners
  • Entry to the GRVL Photo Competition
  • Entry to the Schwalbe & Zolla Photo Competition
  • Pizza and drink at the finish from Proove Pizza and the Thornbridge Brewery bar
No prizes but the first plastic-free finisher will get their entry refunded.

We have also added the option to sign up for Live Tracking (£27.5pp) for those that are into stats/dot-watching/etc.

I'll also do some t-shirts for those keen to take a memento home from the event.

Hoping to see you in May!