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Price: £225 full price/£110 subsidised (lower income) + eventbrite fees
Starting Location : Castleton Loosehill Hall YHA Hostel, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 8WB
Come earn your bikepacker stripes with us!
We know that it can be a little overwhelming getting started with bikepacking. But we also know how much of a joyous way to travel and connect it can be. We’re chuffed to be collaborating with Emily Chappell to host this Introduction to Bikepacking weekend, especially for women, non-binary and trans folks from the LQBTQIA+ community.
Our aim for this weekend event is to remove some of the barriers that might be putting you off, and create an opportunity to try bikepacking in a supportive and fun space. We’ll lend most of the gear you need, from bikepacking bags to tents, and take you on your first off-road overnight bikepacking adventure.
We'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire at our hostel, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together the next morning. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the Peak District before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.
We've chosen an area close to the big cities of Manchester and Sheffield 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 most of the essentials, - you’ll just need an off-road ready bike (or to hire one) and a sleeping bag.
Who's this for?
Any women, non-binary or trans folks from the LQBTQIA+ community 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 a few tales of adventure ready to share. We just ask that you are comfortable riding around 25 miles 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 the YHA in Castleton, and back to basics camping 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. For our Saturday dinner at camp, we'll kit everyone out with some basic bikepacking grub to cook up for dinner and breakfast.
Lots of support, cheerleading and cake stops as we share in this challenge together!
The plan
Meeting in Castleton Losehill YHA on Friday evening , we'll spend the evening getting to know each other, sharing dinner together and getting stuck into chats about kit, packing and route planning.
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 what to pack, and what bikepacking bags work well for different bikes and adventures
We’ll distribute gear and supplies, and help everyone get their bikes loaded up with everything we need for our overnight adventure. Saying goodbye to the hostel, and set out on a 22 mile-ish ride, taking in a mix of offroad and road in the gorgeous Peak District 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 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. We can chat about route planning, safety, wild camping and whatever other topics are on folks minds. 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
Sleeping mats
We have a very limited number of sleeping bags available to loan too. Add to your booking to request one.
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 (rental available locally) - 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
Sleeping Bag - A 2-3 season, lightweight bag.
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 from (a spork, cup, and bowl or plate)
Riding
The ride will take in a mixed bag of Peak District terrain, with a mix of offroad and quiet roads. There will be some big hills, some bits of more technical terrain, 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.
Bike Rental
Available from The Bike Garage in Bamford, close to Bamford train station. Delivery and collection possible too. https://bikegarage.co.uk/
How do I get there?
Our Friday meeting point is 2 miles from Hope train station. Trains from Manchester and Sheffield are around 45 minutes, or about 2hr 45 from London.
Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156
Cancellation Policy
Refunds available up to 30 days before the event. Within 30 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. Unfotunately, eventbrite fees are non-refundable.
Got a question?
Drop us an email hello@sistersinthewild.com