Summer Gathering 2025
6th to 8th June, Lake District, UK
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our 5th annual gathering, bigger and better than ever. Expect two days of gravel riding, skill building opportunities, killer grub, and basecamp fun, surrounded by a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. There’ll be optional add on skills opportunities on Friday on Monday too - expect a full day women-led mechanics school, off-road skills coaching, and more.
SAVE THE DATE - TICKETS OUT DECEMBER 2024
We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District for our FIFTH year!
Expect two days of off-road focused riding, a supportive, inclusive, atmosphere, and skill building opportunities around the rides.
Our basecamp is on the doorstep of the lush Grizedale forest, where there'll be space to pitch your tent or van for the Friday and Saturday night, or stay in a basic camping pod/yurt.
Daytime will see a variety of ride options for you to go out and explore some of the finest Lake District gravel. Whether you want to go and smash out a full day epic, or join a confidence building, guided ride, we’ll have an option to suit.
However you spend your day, we’ll all come together in the evening back at basecamp to campfires, and share communal dinners and stories. Expect some bikepacking focused talks, films, mechanics lessons and much more thrown in as well.
What’s included?
Space to pitch your tent for Friday and Saturday
Communal vegan dinner on Friday and Saturday evening
Two days of self-navigated off road/gravel focused ride routes via Komoot, and free Lakes Komoot map bundle
New to off-road? Great! We’ll have a bunch of spots available on a beginners guided ride, led by our wonderful SITW Guide Team. We’ll release sign up for these a month or so before the event.
Campfires, story telling and sessions. We’ll release more details of what’s in store closer to the time, but expect mechanics classes, adventurous tales, and tips and tricks on how to get into to all kinds of bikepacking.
Access to our camping gear and navigation device library so you can borrow the stuff you don’t have.
A few fun treats along the way :)
Optional add ons:
Full day women-led mechanics school on Friday (£125)
Full day off-road skills coaching on Friday (£100)
Glamping upgrades - no need to bring a tent! (Pods - £70, Yurts - Various)
Campervan spot (£25)
Rides and bikes
Our routes are focused on getting off-road, so we recommend using a bike with 38mm tyres or larger
“Off-road/Gravel”, in the lake district can mean smooth cycle paths, forest roads, singletrack, rocky bridleways, muddy fields and everything in between!
Our core route options are self-navigated and self-supported, meaning riders are given access to the routes, and head of to ride in what ever style and pace they want.
Riders should be self sufficient and carry their own navigation, tools, spares, first aid and snacks
With this in mind, it’s important that you have a bit of experience riding off road, know your own abilities and when it might be safest to take your bike for a walk.
If you're new to off-road riding, you can sign up to one one of our free guided rides! We’ll have around 50 spots available, with signs up a couple of months before the event. These routes will be around 20 miles.
Route options will range from 20-ish miles to 70-ish miles. Expect a decent amount of climbing in all the routes. Riding in the Lake District is rarely flat, but always worth it!
This is not a race but a social ride, so you are free to ride as much or as little as you want.
Expect some very short sections of hike-a-bike on the longer routes.
Basecamp
We'll be taking over the whole of Grizedale Campsite this year, near Satterthwaite in the Southern Lake District. Arrival from 5pm on Friday, depart Sunday evening by 6pm. There'll be parking available on site, with lift-sharing encouraged through our rider whatsapp and Facebook groups. The closest train station is Windermere (1 hr 5 min cycle).
Loos and limited showers available on site. There a stream close by for an al fresco wash
FAQ
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This is intended to be an accessible event and we have a few riding options available. But the right bike, a reasonable level of fitness and a bit of off-road confidence will stand you in good stead. If you’re newer to off-road riding, sign up to one of our guided rides. Being able to ride around 20 miles, in hilly terrain, and a bit of experience of off-road riding is a good baseline target.
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We will have around 50 spots available on guided rides, aimed at newer off-road riders, with a friendly pace and support from a qualified guide. We’ll release sign up to these a couple of months before the event. We’d recommend using the time before the event to build some experience and confidence. We’d recommend being comfortable riding 20 miles of off-road tracks and paths with some hilly terrain. You may find using a Mountain Bike rather than a gravel bike helps to build your confidence. Mountain Bike hire is available locally.
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A small group school, led by a qualified MTB coaching, this day of coaching is aimed at people who are newer to off-road riding, or looking to build skills and confidence. We’ll cover things like bike handling, cornering, handling downhills and uphills, and body movement on the bike. Group size of 1:8 per coach.
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We’re bringing our full day mechanics school, led by a team of incredible female mechanics, back for a second year. You can book on to this now with your ticket, or add on at a later date. Spots are very limited and this filled up last year. View full details of the school here.
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Our routes focus on weaving in great off-road sections, that take us away from traffic and into the wild. It's important that you bring the right bike for the terrain, and that it's safe to ride.
Your bike should be:
In safe working order, and have had a basic service for the weekend. Brakes and gears all good to go.
One you are comfortable riding off road (e.g. on dirt, gravel, bridleways etc)
Gravel bikes with thicker tyres or hardtail mountain bikes are ideal.
We'd suggest a minimum of 38mm tyres. Consider more if you are newer to off-road riding.
Due to the nature of some of the trail (mud, loose rock, ste ep etc), we recommend not using clip-in pedals, unless you are already comfortable using them on off-road terrain.
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Yep! Country Lanes Cycles and Ghlylside Cycles are offering a discounted bike hire package for the weekend including delivery to the campsite. Contact them directly to arrange.
Country Lane Cycles: https://www.countrylaneslakedistrict.co.uk Phone: 015394 44544
Ghyllside Cycles: Phone: 015394 33592 Email: sales@ghyllside.co.uk
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There’ll be parking onsite, and car sharing is encouraged. We have a Facebook group and whatsapp group closer to the time for folks to share lift options. We’ve had great success with this in the past!
The closest main train station is Windermere, around 3hrs on train from London, and then about a 1hr 5 cycle to basecamp. If getting the train, we recommend booking well in advance and making sure to reserve a place for your bike. They are limited and fill up! Item description.
More local trains also serve Ulverston, a 1 hr 17 min cycle away.
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Our campsite has 7 camping pods (sleeping 2), and a couple of basic yurts (sleeping 4 - 6) available to hire for the weekend. View here http://www.grizedale-camping.co.uk, and book with your ticket/add on after.
Your will still need to bring your own sleeping bags for both options, and a sleeping mat too for the camping pods. No electricity - bring a headtorch!
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Refunds are available up to 45 days before the event. After this point, you’ll be able to transfer your ticket to someone else of your finding up to 14 days before the event. We may not be able to accommodate new dietary requirements after this day. View full booking terms and conditions here.
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We’ll have local heroes Joeys back on site serving us dinner (included), and open for riders to buy drinks, breakfast and treats. Feel free to bring your own food if you want. There is no shop close to basecamp, so best to bring anything you want with you.
Dinner will be vegan and gluten free, and we will capture any other dietary requirements at booking.
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We ask for dietary requirements on the ticket booking page. We endeavour to accommodate most dietary requirements, and will pass on to our careering partners. Due to the small nature of the food prep areas, they may not be able to accommodate all requirements, or guarantee no cross contamination. If we are not able to accommodate, we will offer a refund of this element of the event, or give you the option of a full refund. There will be no single designated eating area, and you can expect there to be food from both the event and riders own food (including nuts and seeds) will be consumed across the sit. Therefore the event may not be suitable for severe allergies who are impacted by cross contamination and airborne molecules.
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Yep! Be aware you might miss dinner though :)
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Absolutely! One of the things we loved most about our summer event was hearing from people who came alone how many new freindships were started at the weekend. We work hard to create spaces for people to meet and ride together.
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Yep - There's the option to stay and extra night in the basecamp. Tents can just book at the campsite, camping pods and yurt should book online.
