Day 1: Arrival and Warm Up Ride – Taking a ‘Peak’ 61km / 823m

Please arrive at the hotel by 2pm. After checking in, prepping your bike and meeting your fellow guests and the FTW team, we’ll head out for an easy spin to check both bike and legs are in good order for the two big days to come.

Day one’s ride consists of a nice little leg warmer to prepare you for the two bigger days to come. Nothing too harsh, but features two very popular but equally spectacular Peak District climbs - Abney and Froggatt - are included in the route. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in the French Alps as both climbs are of considerable length by UK standards, but that’s where the similarities end as the views are uniquely Peak District and unmistakable from anywhere else.

Due to the later start today there will be no café stop on this route, but there will be a drink waiting for you back at the hotel courtesy of the FTW team.

Day 2: The Dark Peak – 99.4km / 1,762m

After a hearty breakfast, your first full days cycling with the FTW team will certainly not disappoint! Today’s route will cover much of the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park, so called due to the gritstone and shale contributing to its colour.

We’ll warm up on the long gradual downhill road from Edale to Hope, and soon you’ll be blown away by the first of many stunning views as you ascend the first climb of the day, Pindale. Be sure to take in the view of the Hope Valley and the cement works at the hairpin (it’s better than it sounds, trust us!), the juxtaposition of heavy industry and spectacular scenery is quite surreal.

Today is not just about the climbing, as we encounter some lovely sweeping country lanes before our next well known ascents of Monsal and Longstone Edge. Monsal, though very short, has hosted a race on the hill for 93 consecutive years. It’s one for the punchy climbers - local legend Malcolm Elliott has held the record on the climb for over 40 of the race’s 93 year history! If longer climbs are more your cup of tea Longstone Edge will be the one for you, and boasts one of the finest views we the think the Peaks has to offer - photos are a must here.

Before the second half of the ride we will stop for lunch in the historic village of Eyam. You may have heard of it as the village which became famous in 1665 when an outbreak of the Black Death was contained when the villagers decided to isolate themselves from the surrounding communities. Thankfully there is no plague here now, just a lovely picturesque village with a great cafe!

After being fed and watered we head down a lovely partially closed road over to Nether Padley and another long but steady climb. From here the descents and rolling terrain will pass through several traditional Peak District villages, one of which being Bradfield at the base of our last climb of the day, Blindside. It isn’t the hardest or longest but provides spectacular views across the reservoirs in the valley, and leads onto a superfast descent down to and past Ladybower Reservoir (famous for it’s connection to the Dambusters bombing missions over Germany in 1943) and back to base for a well deserved rest.

For those feeling particularly fresh and / or daring at the end of day one, there is an option to add an additional 18km loop taking in the infamous Winnats Pass and a fantastic photo opportunity at the Mam Tor viewing point which gives unparalleled views down the Hope Valley. Well worth the effort!

Day 3: The White Peak - 121km / 2,110m

Hopefully you will have had a good night’s sleep ahead of another bumper day!

On your final day we head deeper into the National Park and cover much of the White Peak, named for its Limestone Plateau contributing to its colour. We will pass through many of the well known towns in the area such as Buxton and Bakewell - who hasn't heard of the Bakewell Tart or had a bottle of Buxton water - but you may not have heard of the villages of Tideswell (the Cathedral of the Peak), Monyash, Hartington, Youlgreave and Winster, all of which are worth visiting. And what better way than on two wheels!

One of the true highlights of the weekend will be a glimpse of the internationally famous Chatsworth House as seen in such TV programs and films as Pride and Prejudice, Peaky Blinders, Barry Lyndon, The Crown…the list goes on.

Our lunch stop will be around the halfway mark, and we finish the ride with some gently rolling kilometres back to base to spin out those hill filled legs.

Day 4: Departure Day

There is no planned FTW ride on the departure day. This is a chance for a more relaxed morning to recover from the last three days or one last spin to enjoy the Peaks before heading home.

We recommend trying Mam Nick before you head home, a fantastic climb but not one we will tackle this weekend due to its very close proximity to our hotel and the lack of time to warm the legs up before the first 15% ramp! We are not that cruel…