Made famous by the Tour de France’s 2014 Grand Départ in Yorkshire, Holme Moss climbs from Holmbridge across a striking stretch of moorland in the Peak District, one of England’s most iconic national parks.
The route
From Holmbridge, at 178 m elevation, the road climbs for 4.7 km to the summit at 524 m, gaining 346 m at an average of 7.3%, with a sustained final kilometer between 10 and 13%. The road runs fairly straight for much of the way, giving a constant view over the wooded Holme valley below.
How to approach the ride
The pace stays demanding the whole way, with no real flat section to recover, and the final kilometer is the toughest part of the climb. The road surface is in good condition but fully exposed to the wind, a factor not to underestimate on this open moor.
When to go
April to October: the moor is rideable year-round, but winter conditions, often windy and cold, make the April-to-October window considerably more pleasant for a ride.
Good to know
Holmfirth, a few kilometers from Holmbridge, has cafés and shops for refueling before or after the ride. The summit is marked by a large television transmitter, visible for miles around, a well-known landmark for local cyclists.
