If you’re one of the lucky few to have made the cut for the 3 Peaks 2016 you’ll already be planning your training regime wondering how to gain that niche fitness. It is one of the ironies of the 3 Peaks; one of the things that makes it so special is its uniqueness. That uniqueness is what also makes it so hard to get any specific practice in beforehand, unless you are lucky enough to live near similar terrain. If you are currently scratching your head as to how you can replicate some of the leg sapping climbing and technical descending, or even if you didn’t make the cut; rejoice, there’s another way to get a dose of the same brutality.
Either way, those lovely folk at Hope have dreamt up the Pre Peaks, a peaks-esque race out of their factory HQ in Barnoldswick, Lancashire covering a challenging 20 miles up and down some of the finest landscape the area has to offer – perfect for August Bank Holiday Monday.
Intended for drop barred, no more than 35mm tyred bikes (although there is limited entry for MTBs) the Pre Peaks is a proper ‘cross leg stretch in full on race conditions, just four weeks before the main event.
With all the same sort of testing elements you’ll be treated to 3,500 feet of climbing over its short duration, twice up Weets Hill and once up the iconic Pendle Hill.
Since many sections of the race uses private land the exact route won’t be published before the event.
Entry is £45, including post race pizza and drinks – hup hup hup over to Pre Peaks for more information.
All images: Roo Fowler
