Tickets Out Now
Starting Location : South Downs YHA, Southease, Lewes, BN8 6JS
Come earn your bikepacking stripes with us!
Our Introduction To Bikepacking weekends offer women and non-binary folks who are bikepacking-curious a chance to try it out in a supportive, fun, small group atmosphere. Based in locations that put us at the heart of some of the UK’s finest gravel routes, we can lend you most of the bikepacking bags and camping gear you need to get you out on your first overnight adventure.
Our aims for these weekend events were to remove some of those barriers and create an opportunity to try bikepacking in a supportive and fun space. After running 8 of these weekends in 2022, we’re excited to bring them back for 2023 thanks to support from Ortlieb and Komoot. These weekends are the perfect launch pad for getting into some of our bigger gravel and bikepacking events, and for meeting a bunch of people that will probably go on to become your future bikepacking adventure buddies!
We'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up the next morning to head out on an overnight adventure. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, rolling into our camp spot to pitch up and share dinner and a night under the stars. The next day, we’ll ride pack to base to unpack, debrief, and make plans for future adventures with new friends.
Your hosts for the weekend will be two of our SITW guides who will be your biggest cheerleaders for the weekend. Both be British Cycling qualified MTB Leaders, with many miles of bikepacking experience, tips and tricks to share.
We've chosen an area close to London to show that you don't need to go far from a big city to have a big adventure. And if you don't have all the gear - don't worry. We can provide many of the essentials, including lightweight tents and bikepacking bags.
Who's this for?
Any women, non-binary or trans folks who want to share a bikepacking adventure and skill building experience in a fun and supportive environment. This might be your first ever bikepacking trip or you may be coming with some tales to share! We just ask that you are comfortable riding around 25 miles in a day in hilly/mixed terrain, have a bike capable of riding off-road, and are up for sharing a bit of a challenge! There will be some mandatory gear to bring which you'll find at the bottom, but we can provide most of the big stuff.
What's included
Friday night accommodation (shared dorm) in Southease , and in a nearly-wild campsite on Saturday.
Kit loan if you need it. Before the weekend we'll share a kit list and help to go through what you already have and what you need
Practical , hands-on skill sharing on bikepacking essentials from experienced bikepackers and your fellow attendees. Expect chats on gear, packing, food, route planning and the practical stuff no one talks about (periods? poop? we've got you covered!)
Guided rides on Saturday and Sunday from qualified leaders. Expect somewhere in the region of 40 - 50 miles over the weekend on mixed terrain
A communal dinner on Friday and a hearty breakfast before we head out on the bikes. We'll kit everyone out with some basic bikepacking grub to cook up for dinner and breakfast whilst at our overnight camp.
Lots of support, cheerleading and cake stops as we share in this challenge together!
The plan
Meeting in Southease YHA on Friday evening (1 hr 15 on the train from London), we'll spend the evening getting to know each other, preparing dinner together and chatting around the campfire (weather permitting!).
Saturday morning will see us up early for a good breakie, before we start to get our bikes and bodies ready for the ride! We'll talk about packing, distribute gear and supplies, and get our bikes loaded up with everything we need for our overnight adventure. We'll say goodbye to the hostel, and set out on a 25 mile-ish ride, taking in a mix of offroad and road in the gorgeous South Downs National Park. There will be hills and probably some pushing! But the pace will be very friendly and there will be plenty of time for snacks and chatting along the way.
We'll aim to roll into our nearly-wild campsite before dark, set up our tents together and settle in for an evening of campfire, cooking up our dinners and sharing stories from the day. In the morning we'll get the bikes loaded up once again for our return ride to the hostel with lunch on the way. We'll get back around 4pm, unload our gear and get ready for a return to civilization!
What gear can I borrow
Bikepacking bags - we'll have a range of handlebar rolls, saddle bag and frame bags to borrow
Tent
Stoves and pans
Sleeping Mats
What gear to I need to bring with me?
We'll share a proper kit list before, But key things you'll need to bring.
A bike - One you are comfortable riding off road (e.g. on dirt, gravel, bridleways etc), and that is in good working order. A MTB or Gravel bike works great. We'd suggest a minimum of 38mm tyres. Full suspension bikes only if suspension can be locked out. Bike hire is available locally from Cuckmere Cycles
Sleeping Bag - A 3 season, lightweight bag. We'll have a very limited number of these to borrow - please email us in advance of booking.
A small rucksack - Around 10L, that you'll be comfortable riding with
Helmet
Spares/tools for your own bike. E.g. inner tubes,
Headtorch & Bike Lights
Waterproofs
Something to eat and drink with
Riding
The ride will take in a mixed bag of South Downs terrain, with a mix of offroad and quiet roads. There will be some big hills, and we'll most likely all be pushing our bikes at times! But that's all part of the fun, and the views (and cake stops!) are worth it. Expect a mix of dirt, mud, grass and rocky bridleways. We expect to cover about 50 miles over the weekend.
Is bike hire available?
If travelling from London Wild Cycles offer bike hire that can be collected/dropped off in London around Marylebone station. Collection is between 4 & 6pm on Friday, and drop off between 6 & 8pm on Sunday. You would need to ride between Marylebone and Victoria if getting the train. Please check your train for rules on when bikes are allowed on. Please contact Wild Cycles directly by email if you have any questions, or view the T&Cs and book online here: https://www.wildcycles.co.uk/product-page/sisters-itw-bike-hire
If you are driving, the most local bike hire to our venue is Cuckmere Cycles. If you are neither in London, nor driving, Cuckmere Cycles may be able to arrange delivery and collection to/from our basecamp for an additional fee. Please contact them directly to discuss.
How do I get there?
Our Friday meeting point is is very close to South Ease train station. Trains from London Victoria to Southease are around 1 hr 15 min. If travelling with a bike, please check your trains for when bikes are allowed onboard.
Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156
Cancellation Policy
Refunds available up to 45 days before the event. Within 45 days, no refund or credit is possible, but you may transfer your ticket to someone else of your finding that this event is suitable for. If we have a waiting list available we will open up your ticket to the waiting list and give you a refund if it is taken
Got a question?
Drop us an email hello@sistersinthewild.com