The 4th annual Sheffield-Buxton-Sheffield cycling event returns on April 27, 2025, offering three challenging routes through the dramatic Peak District landscape as a non-competitive reliability ride with a friendly atmosphere that serves as ideal preparation for bigger sportives later in the year.
High Peak Homage Route
The Sheffield-Buxton-Sheffield event proudly bills itself as a “High Peak homage to the oldest and hardest monument of them all, Liege-Bastogne-Liege,” offering participants a taste of Ardennes-style riding in the heart of England. The route traverses the stunning High Peak region, featuring hidden lanes and memorable climbs that create a genuinely tough day out for cycling enthusiasts.
The course includes notable Peak District challenges like Abney, Monsal Head, Mam Nick, and Stanage, living up to Simon Warren’s observation that “Take a map of the area between Sheffield and the High Peak, throw a dart at it, and you’ll hit a hill.” Riders will experience dramatic high peakland scenery while tackling significant elevation gain across all three route options: the long route (130km with 2,298m of climbing), medium route (90km with 1,482m climbing), or short route (56km with 940m climbing). After completing this challenging homage, participants returning to HQ by 14:30 can enjoy watching the actual Liege-Bastogne-Liege men’s race on a big screen, creating a perfect cycling-focused day.
Liege-Bastogne-Liege Tribute
The Sheffield-Buxton-Sheffield event deliberately mirrors the spirit of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, known as “La Doyenne” (The Old Lady), which is the oldest of cycling’s five Monuments dating back to 1892.
Just as the Belgian classic features challenging Ardennes terrain, the Sheffield event showcases the Peak District’s comparable topography with its succession of testing climbs. Participants can enjoy this tribute ride on April 27th, 2025, conveniently scheduled to coincide with the professional race, allowing riders to complete their own challenge before watching the pros tackle the real thing on the big screen at event HQ.
Unlike the Belgian original which attracts up to 8,000 participants, the Sheffield version maintains a more intimate atmosphere while still capturing the essence of the monument. The event organizers have designed routes that emphasize the Peak District’s natural beauty and challenging terrain, particularly featuring iconic climbs like Monsal Head, which despite being short at just 0.6km, packs a punch with sections reaching a 22.5% gradient. This thoughtful homage allows UK cyclists to experience monument-style riding without traveling to Belgium, making it a perfect addition to any serious cyclist’s spring calendar.
Peak District Climbing Challenge
The Sheffield-Buxton-Sheffield event showcases some of the Peak District’s most formidable climbs, with the long route featuring at least ten significant ascents that will test even seasoned cyclists. Key challenges include Monsal Head (0.4km with a brutal 13.5% average gradient, maxing at 16.3%), Stanage Edge (6.75km gaining 310m at 3.4% average), and Mam Tor from the south (1.1km at 4.3% average). These climbs contribute to the event’s reputation as sections of what Band of Climbers has dubbed the “Toughest 100km in the UK.”
The elevation gain is substantial across all routes, with the long course accumulating 2,298m over 130km, far exceeding the “golden ratio” of 100 feet of climbing per mile that typically defines a climbing-focused ride. This challenging terrain not only builds strength and endurance but also engages most muscle groups in your body. For riders seeking to prepare for this event, training on routes like Winnats Pass (1.4km at 12% average) or Rowsley Bar (with its punishing 25% sections) would provide excellent preparation for tackling what previous participants have described as a “superb” but undeniably “challenging” course.
Accommodation: Best Western Sheffield City Hotel
For riders and supporters staying in Sheffield, the Best Western Sheffield City Hotel offers convenient, comfortable accommodation just a short distance from the event HQ and popular cycling routes.