Bikepacking with GRVL: Manchester to the Peak District and Back!

I’m Valerio Stuart - a GRVL ambassador, gravel grinder, and part-time planner of slightly daft bike adventures. After organising the inaugural (and wildly successful) Tor Divide with GRVL’s support, I was itching to get another group out for a weekend on the trails.

This time: a bikepacking group overnighter. Open to anyone no matter their look or experience, from seasoned ultra-racers to first-time bikepackers. The goal? A shared adventure, filled with laughter, effort, and that unbeatable feeling of riding somewhere new together.

The route I designed threaded together everything from smooth canal paths to proper chunky bridleways - in other words, no one would be on the ‘right’ bike for long. Those are, in my opinion, the types of rides where a gravel bike shows its versatility and is great fun to ride.

With regular snack stops and photo pauses baked into the plan, it was never about riding fast. Instead, it was about the joy of riding together, discovering what you (and your bike) can handle, and making memories on the trail. Thanks to Will and the ever-hospitable Balance Brewing & Blending, we had a solid base to launch from.Add a little caffeine, a lot of enthusiasm, and one slightly mischievous route, and we were off.

DAY ONE

We rolled out from Balance Brewery after fuelling up on Allpress coffee and a ridiculous spread of pastries. A quick count: 30 riders, all smiles.

Then off we went - a stream of gravel bikes, steel tourers, and even a few loaded MTBs weaving through Manchester’s backstreets and out onto the canal. Soon we’d left the city skyline behind, climbing onto Werneth Low with cracking views over the sprawl we’d just escaped. The gravel ramped up as we neared the border of the Peak District National Park, eventually spitting us onto the rougher sections of the Pennine Bridleway.

Lunch was a well-earned stop at a local café - toasties, cake, and kit chat. From there, the group naturally split: some opting for a smoother route to camp, others diving deeper into the rocks and ruts. I might’ve overhyped the “Ford crossing” (spoiler: it was barely a puddle), but no one minded - the sun was still out, and spirits were high.

We pitched tents at our secluded camp and headed straight to the pub for food, pints, and trail tales. A proper end to a cracking day.

DAY TWO

Tents dripped with the remains of a midnight shower as riders slowly emerged into the grey morning. After breakfast at the local bakery, we regrouped for the highlight of the day: Mam Tor and the Broken Road.

Once a vital link between Manchester and Sheffield, the Broken Road has long since crumbled, now serving as a surreal, scenic reminder of how nature always wins. It’s a brilliant place for photos - and quiet reflection, before the return ride began.

The way back was gentler, mostly disused railway lines and gravel paths - music to tired legs. But the weather had other ideas. Fog gave way to drizzle, which turned into proper rain. We sheltered at Lyme Park’s café, peeled off damp layers, and shared laughs about the absurdity of it all. Spirits remained remarkably high.

Finally, we rolled back into Manchester, a little wetter, a little muddier, and a whole lot happier.

A FINAL WORD

I’ve rarely seen a group finish a ride so soaked and yet so full of joy. Big smiles, eyes shining - and that was before we cracked open Balance’s finest brews!>

This was a ride for everyone: from ten-year-olds to sixty-something legends, from carbon gravel race machines to trusty steel steeds. Bikepacking isn’t about your bike, your speed, or your setup. It’s about showing up, embracing the unknown, and laughing when the heavens open on your tent (or helmet!)

Of course, wearing the right kit helps too. I barely took off my GRVL Merino Jersey all weekend - it kept me cool under the sun and warm when the drizzle set in.

If this kind of adventure sounds like your thing, watch this space. There’s more to come!