Toughest 100 Festival of Climbing 2025

Bigger Than Ever. The XXL is Coming...

A sportive like no other. No flats roads. No recovery. It's either up or down. More elevation per km than any other UK sportive. This is the toughest sportive you may ever ride.

The Band of Climbers Toughest 100 is a one-day sportive that will take place on Sunday 17th August 2025 in Sheffield and the Peak District. The 2025 edition is set to be our biggest yet, with more riders, more events, more food and drinks, and an all new camping festival too. Make a weekend of it with a fun hill climb race, a social ride on the Saturday night, and then face the UK's toughest Sportive on Sunday, with a new XXL route with an eye watering amount of climbing.

THE UK'S TOUGHEST

The Original Route, at just over 100km in length (68miles), the Toughest 100 is the hardest UK Sportive of its kind you may ever ride. What it lacks in distance, it makes up for in elevation. 3200m (10,500ft) of climbing awaits, over 22 steep and savage climbs, most of them going over 10%, many of them hitting over 15% or more.

For perspective, The Toughest 100 has 65% more elevation per mile than the Fred Whitton. We've stripped out the flat roads, deliberately. No rest, no recovery, just climb after climb.

JOIN THE TOUGHEST 100 FESTIVAL OF CLIMBING

After the huge success of 2024, we're going big for 2025! We'll have camping on site at the start and finish venue, food and drinks all weekend, a local hill climb race for all ages on Saturday morning, a free social ride on Saturday afternoon for all, and 3 punishing route options for you to ride on Sunday 17th.

The Routes

The Original 

Distance : 110km / 68 miles

Elevation : 3200m / 10,500ft

The Original was designed to be the toughest possible route of its kind. Over 20 punishing climbs await, ranging from short, steep (and we mean steep) climbs, through to longer, slightly more gentle but beautiful climbs towards the end of the route. Most climbs hit gradients of over 10%, but many 15% and 20%+ moments await.

The route takes us from Ringinglow on the outskirts of Sheffield, heading north towards Bradfield, before heading back through the Strines, Hathersage and 'The Dale' before finishing back in Ringinglow. The route is all about the climbs. There is almost zero flat on the entire route. The descents are steep and short, so they're over in seconds. Then you're onto the next climb immediately. No flat. No recovery.

The XL 

Distance : 100 Miles / 163km

Elevation : 4800m / 16,000ft

The XL route was our most popular ride in 2024, and it took things to a whole new level, The first 95km of the XL is exactly the same as the original route. Then, at 95km, instead of heading back to the finish, you'll head west, deeper still into the Peaks. Here you will face another barrage of steep climbs. 

35 climbs await you in the XL Route, with more hidden gems as well as famous Peak District ascents including Curber Edge, which you'll face late into the day. Altogether, the XL Route will see you face 35 knee-shaking climbs throughout the ride. The 4800m of climbing you'll face in the XL makes this the UK's hilliest sportive that we're aware of. That's more elevation than many of the major Alpine Gran Fondos across Europe. 

NEW // THE XXL

Distance : 212km / 131 miles

Elevation : 6200m / 20,000ft - Yes. Really. We're Serious.

The XXL concept was born when we drove the original route in reverse back in 2023, when we collected all the road signs after the event. Riding the course in reverse feels like a very different challenge, it looks different, it feels different, the climbs are so unfamiliar on the other sides, and so, the XXL concept was created.

The XXL Route is the ULTIMATE physical and mental test. As to complete this route, you must first complete the Original 100km Route, then, turn around, and ride the entire same original route in reverse. That means leaving the comfort of the finish line, with all the pizza and beer, knowing exactly what's in store for you, for the next 4-7 hours, with 35 climbs already in the legs, and 35 more to come before you can finish. Only the strongest mentally will be able to take on this test of willpower and mental resolve. 

The XXL Route also comes with a 12 hour time limit. You'll start at 6am. Your challenge is to finish by 6pm. 

There is no other UK event with as many climbs, or as much elevation. The XXL is truly the ultimate test of mind and body. 

Rider Packs

All entrants will receive a rider pack when signing on for the event, as well as a digital info pack by email. The rider pack will contain your ride number and chip timer, so you can compare your times with others. You'll also receive a digital guide to the event, BoC Stickers and more from our partners.

Feed Stops

There will be 2 feed stops on the Original route. The feed stops will be stocked with OTE Anytime Energy Bars, Gels, Water and Electrolytes, as well as bananas, oranges, and other carb-based snacks to keep you going.

There will be 1 additional feed stop on the XL Route, with the same energy products and snacks to get you to the finish line. 

The XXL route will feature 2 feed stops on the first leg, and 2 further feed stops on the 2nd crossing of the original route.

Photography 

We will have an official event photographer on the course, and all photos will be made available to you, for free. Photos will be uploaded to the Band of Climbers Facebook page where you can download your photos and use them anywhere you like.

Event Jersey

The official 2025 event Jersey is available to pre-order now as part of your entry. We will have a small amount of jerseys available on the day to purchase but last year they all sold out, so we highly recommend pre-ordering to guarantee your size is available.

After you have pre-ordered your jersey as part of your entry, you will be sent an email asking to confirm your size. If you'd like to pre-order the jersey separately, or check the sizing, you can do so here > PRE - ORDER THE JERSEY

Entry Terms & Conditions

Entry into this event is entirely at the risk of the participant. All riders will be required to read, accept and sign an entry disclaimer confirming they are riding on open roads, at their own risk.

Entry is non-refundable in the event you cannot enter the sportive. We can however transfer your entry to another rider, or defer your place for 1 year, subject to our terms of service. Purchase of the Event Jersey is by Pre-Order only, and is non refundable.

Read our full entry TERMS & CONDITIONS HERE.