THE 100 CLIMBS CHALLENGES
Want to try something different? Come and ride a 100 Climbs Challenge.
"The reinvention of the sportive."
NORTH-EAST EDITION
SUNDAY JULY 12, 2026
The roads in and around Weardale in County Durham are without doubt some of the best in the whole of Britain. They are deathly empty, set in stunning scenery and absolutely packed with classic climbs like the hideous Chapel Fell and the wicked slopes of Peat Hill. There are 14 climbs in this challenge if you want to bag them all, and like always on a 100 Climbs challenge YOU are in charge of your route so read on to find out more.
How does a 100 Climbs challenge work?
It’s simple.
1. I tell you which hills to ride.
2. You plot the route. That’s right, YOU plot the route. There are no arrows to follow, there’s no .gpx file to download, just a selection of climbs on a map to link in whatever way you wish, a bit like orienteering, but on a bike and with big hills. To make it a challenge each climb is allocated an amount of points which are scored by scanning QR codes with your phone. There are a total of 75 points available and they are located at the TOP and BOTTOM of each climb from which you will need to score 40 to qualify as a finisher. This presents you the rider with the task of plotting the best course to outwit the other riders and get back in the shortest distance. (It’s not a race though, speed is of no consequence)
You should be able to put together a route at around 100km to bag the required points, however if you want a real challenge and want to RIDE THEM ALL, you will be looking at closer to 160km with close to 4000 metres of elevation. Although there are no prizes for speed there is a prize for shortest distance covered to reach 40 points, and the shortest distance for all 75 points, so it's ALL in the planning.
How do you know you have scored the points?
The event uses an App called iOrienteering which you will NEED to download to your phone for FREE here for Apple and or here for Android.
(Registration only takes a couple of minutes, and this is best done prior to event day.)
When you arrive at the HQ, scan the Load Event QR code and this will load the climbs into the App, then when you are ready to start, scan the Start QR code and get going. Next, when you arrive at the BOTTOM of each climb you scan the first code, then at the TOP of each climb there will be another board with another QR code. The combined points give you the total for that climb and are weighted according to how easy they are to reach. When you hit 40 points you can come home and scan the finish QR code or keep going until you have bagged them all. ​​
Now the most important part, THE CLIMBS!

Below are the 14 counting climbs and their corresponding TOP and BOTTOM points and there are all stone cold classics. Points are allocated primarily on location rather than difficulty and you can get a rough idea where they all are on the map below (click to enlarge). For more detailed info and to plot your route exactly click on the name of each climb will take you to its Strava page. The 100 Climbs APP is also an excellent tool to help plan!


NOTE! All climbs MUST be ridden the way they are described in my books and as indicated on the map below. CHEATS WILL BE FOUND OUT AND PUBLICLY SHAMED.
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Crawleyside: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 2 Points.
Bale Hill: BOTTOM 5 Points.
 TOP 1 Point.
Cuthbert's Hill: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 3 Points.
Middlehope Bank: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 2 Points.
Well Bank: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 3 Points.
Peat Hill: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 4 Points.
Wear Bank: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 4 Points.
Chapel Fell: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 7 Points.
Unthank Bank: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 1 Point.
Bollihope Common: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 4 Points.
Miry Lane: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 4 Points.
Newbigging Common: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 7 Points.
Bail Hill: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 3 Points.
Yad Moss: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 8 Points.
How to enter

Entry is £47 and is LIMITED to just 100 riders so don’t delay!
Other information
HQ. The event headquarters are at the Stanhope Community Centre, 9-11 Front St, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2ND and will be open from 07.00 and you can set off as soon as you have registered. Cut off for finishing is 17:00 as usual so I can get my crew back home for school the next day!
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Food and free stuff. There will be free coffee/tea/soft drinks together with fresh pastries at the start plus fresh cooked pizza and other refreshments at the finish but out on the road you have to fend for yourselves, that's all part of the challenge. Places to fuel up have been marked on the map and with only a few on offer, make sure you plan your stops well. Every rider who completes the challenge will recieve a unique finishers sign for their wall and a free gift, the quality of which will depend on how many people enter!
Insurance. I follow the process the CTT use for their events and have each rider sign a disclaimer.
"I will ride within the rules of the road and look after myself and others. I understand that the event is held wholly or in part on public or private property or the public highway and that I participate therein entirely at my own risk and that no liability whatever shall be attached to the promoter for any injury loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event however caused."

Risk it for the biscuit!
Refunds. I will offer refunds up to two weeks before the event.
Any questions? Get in touch at onehundredclimbs@outlook.com