Upcoming Trips & Events

  • Summer Gathering

    We bring a field full of rad folks together for a weekend of gravel riding, inspiring talks, skill sessions, and community..

  • Intro to Bikepacking

    The perfect weekend for the bikepacking-curious to give it a go in a fun, supportive atmosphere,

  • Gravel Camps

    Gravel-tastic escapes set out of a SITW basecamp, in the some of the worlds best gravel riding destinations.

  • Bikepacking Trips

    For those in search of a true bikepacking experience, our multi-day adventures explore wild places with good people.

All Events

WILDER: Bikepacking Andalusia
Apr
27
to 4 May

WILDER: Bikepacking Andalusia

Ride from Granada to Almeria, from the Spanish Badlands to its beaches on a true Andalusian gravel adventure. This is the first in our series of WILDER trips. Bigger days, more climbing, wilder terrain, but a bit more luxury at night to make it all worth while. Ready for the next step in your adventures? This could be the one.

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Bikepacking the Scottish Highlands
May
17
to 21 May

Bikepacking the Scottish Highlands

Join us for a wild four day off-road bikepacking trip in the Scottish Highlands. Labelled “One of the finest gravel rides in Scotland” by your host for the weekend, Annie Lloyd Evans.

You’ll wild camp by lochs, enjoy bothy-based snack stops, and immerse yourself in the gorgeous wilderness of the Cairngorms national park.

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Bikepacking the Scottish Highlands
Sep
4
to 8 Sep

Bikepacking the Scottish Highlands

Join us for a wild four day off-road bikepacking trip in the Scottish Highlands. Labelled “One of the finest gravel rides in Scotland” by your host for the weekend, Annie Lloyd Evans.

You’ll wild camp by lochs, enjoy bothy-based snack stops, and immerse yourself in the gorgeous wilderness of the Cairngorms national park.

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WILDER: Bosnia Bikepacking
Sep
21
to 29 Sep

WILDER: Bosnia Bikepacking

The second in our WILDER series, our 8 day Bosnia & Herzegovina trip will take us in a loop from the old city of Mostar through taking in remote mountain villages, the bustling city of Sarajevo, modern ski-towns, and little visited corners of the country.

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Winter Gravel Camp #2, Lanzarote
Jan
25
to 30 Jan

Winter Gravel Camp #2, Lanzarote

  • 1 Camino Tisalaya La Vegueta, CN, 35560 Spain (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Winter Gravel Camp #2: 25 - 30th January 2023

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Join us for a winter escape to the sunny Canary Islands!

We’re hosting our first overseas Gravel Camps - 5 nights/5 days of mixed terrain riding and bikepacking, all set out of our basecamp house in the heart of the island of Lanzarote. This is the second of two camps we’ll be running in January.

From coastal gravel trails, to volcanic singletrack, to dreamy tarmac, this little island will surprise you with how much it can pack in.  The riding is stunning, and whether you’re just finding your feet in gravel riding or looking to take on some epic full day rides, we’ll have an riding option for you. 

There’ll be a couple of different routes to choose from each day, with a ride leader out on each.  You can choose whether you want to ride with the group, solo, or with buddies, but either way we’ll make sure we share the best swim spots, and tapas and cerveza stops along the way.  Regardless of your route choice, we’ll all be back together in the evenings for communal dinners and to share stories of the day.

On one of our rides, we’ll be heading out on an overnight adventure.  Carrying just the basics we need (not much more than PJs and a swimsuit!), we’ll be able to explore the further corners of the island.  No camping stuff needed though, we’ll be sleeping in beds tonight.

A community spirit and supportive space to explore together will be at the heart of the camp.  We’ll get cosy round the campfire in the evening, and share most breakfasts and dinners together back at basecamp, with some optional skills sessions and chats around the rides. 

Each camp is limited to 16 spots, with a couple of different sleeping options available.  Minimum of 8 required to run.

Cost: £595 (bed in twin room) or £495 (bed in dorm room).

Dates: Wednesday 25 - Monday 30th January, 2023

SOLD OUT

Full booking T&C’s here


Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive to basecamp from 2pm and settle in.  Short afternoon all-group ride at party-pace!  Communal dinner at  basecamp, where we’ll get to know everyone and talk about the week.

Day 2 - Breakfast at basecamp, and some puncture repair practice if you want it! Then there’ll be two loop ride options to choose from.  We’ll all be back at basecamp for dinner out in a local village via a moonlit night ride! Or feel free to stay and chill at basecamp.

Day 3 - Breakfast and packing at basecamp to head out for our overnight bikepacking trip! We’ll be island hopping, as we head down to catch the ferry to the neighboring island of Fuertaventura. Choose from two route options that will deliver us all to the same location for the night. Celebrate with dinner however you choose in the town we stay in (not included) and some fun local bars and cafes to keep the evening flowing.

Day 4 - Breakfast at your leisure, and an option for a more chilled morning by the beach or a morning ride on the island of Fuertaventura. Then we’ll all head back on the Ferry to Lanzarote and back to basecamp. Dinner together at basecamp (included) and a debrief on our bikepacking adventure!

Day 5 - Breakfast at basecamp, and then head out on one of out two final two loop ride options.  Or feel free to take a day to relax! Final dinner at basecamp together.

Day 6 - Breakfast at basecamp. Pack up and depart by 11am.


Basecamp Location

Our basecamp is located on Finca Tisalaya, a unique agro-turismo in the middle of the island, just outside of the Parque Natural de los Volcanes.  It’s a beautiful setting which will make you feel a world away from civilisation! The closest villages are Masdache and Tiagua, about 3 miles/15 min cycle away.  

Expect a rustic glamping-meets-hostel vibe. We’ll have a simple house with 4 twin rooms, and a very spacious shared room bunk room for 8. We’ll have a kitchen, inside common area and lots of outside space for eating, campfires, cooking, and relaxing between rides. On our doorstep we’ll have access to incredible off-road riding that feels like you’re on another planet.

It’s about a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport.


What’s included?

Sisters in the Wild hosts and guides

Gravel camp will be hosted by two of our Sisters in the Wild guides and hosts, who’ve been running events all over the UK for the last 18 months. With them, comes a wealth of experience of creating a supportive space for people to build community, skills and confidence in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Between them, they’ve sepnt weeks exploring the island of Lanzarote to come up with the best routes for a wide range of experiences and abilities.

They also know how to make the BEST ‘smores…..

Accommodation

Five nights simple accommodation included:

  • Four night accommodation at basecamp in either twin rooms or shared dormitory style room (no bunk beds!).  

  • One night accommodation in hostel/shared apartment type accommodation on our overnight ride.  Sofa beds possible here. There is no camping on this trip.

Food

  • Breakfast: Four breakfast included on the mornings at basecamp. There are plenty of lovely cafes to pick up breakfast near our accommodation after our overnighter (not included)

  • Dinners: Four dinners included. One dinner will be on you, when we’re out on our overnighter - a chance to explore the town!

  • Lunch: Not included. We’ll make sure you know where you can pick up food on the ride.  

Ride Routes and on-ride support

Each participant will be provided with a specially curated collection of routes and route briefings via Komoot, and a free map bundle to access/navigate them. Riders are free to ride the routes at their own pace or with a ride guide.

There will be an experienced ride guide out on each route, and riders are welcome to ride with them. If you choose this option, this will be at the pace of the slowest rider in the group. Ride guides will be there to help cheer-lead, navigate and troubleshoot issues.

However, please consider the riding element of the camp is self-supported. Riders should be self sufficient to ride without the ride leader if needed. This means carry your own navigation device, basic tools, and equipment to resolve any issues encountered.  There is no support vehicle on this ride. Should you encounter an issue you are responsible for getting to a bikeshop/basecamp, but we will be on hand to help you troubleshoot and find the best solution.

Access to our gear library

If you want to loan a GPS device for the weekend, or a bag for our overnighter, we’ve got you covered. . No camping stuff is needed for this trip.

Key things not included:

  • A bike, tools and spares to fix it

  • Lunches

  • Transport to/from basecamp at start and end (i.e. flights and transfers to/from basecamp are not included).

  • Travel/personal injury or liability insurance

  • Ferry to Fuertaventura for our overnight ride (approx 20 euro each way)


Type of riding

The two route options offered each day will both be mixed terrain, which includes a mix of all things! Expect some super smooth tarmac, well graded gravel tracks, some rougher trails sections of volcanic single track, with some loser gravel descents . The more challenging option for each day may involve more technical/steeper bits of riding, aimed at more experienced gravel/off-road riders. The shorter route will have less of this stuff, but there may still be short stretches of more technical riding (sandy trails, rocky tracks etc) that can be walked. We keep these in where we think they help get you to the best scenery!

We fully embrace walking parts of the route that feel a little out of your comfort zone! We can be straight with you about which route we think might suite you better. Where possible, we try to keep both of the days routes in the same area, and give all riders a chance to cross paths on the trails.

The island is hilly in places, and some of our rides will have decent elevation gains. There are many many short cut routes cross-crossing the island if you ever feel like you want to cut a route short. We’ll give you more info in our rider briefings

Example daily ride options:

Shorter option: 25 - 35 miles; 400 - 800 meters of elevation gain. 

Longer option: 40 - 60 miles; 900 - 1500 meters of elevation gain

Experience/fitness required:

In order to make the most of the riding on offer, we’d suggest that you are comfortable riding 30+ miles in a day in reasonably hilly terrain (e.g. around 700m of elevation gain).  There is no pressure to ride fast! Days are long, and you are free to start as early as you want. However, we feel like this is a good target to be able to enjoy the camp and the rides.

Some prior experience of riding offroad is recommended, but our shorter routes will be geared towards people with less experience riding off-road who are looking to build their experience and confidence. Feel free to drop us an email if you have any questions on this!

Bikes/Bike Hire

A suitable off-road bike is required for this trip, and is not included. We recommend wither a gravel bike with 38mm+ tyres or hardtail MTB which must be in a good state of repair (a pre-camp basic service is highly recommended to avoid encountering any surprises on the ride!).  If travelling with your bikes, bike bags/boxes can be stored at basecamp.

You may prefer to hire a bike on Lanzarote. Rental is available at many places in Puerto del Carmen about 15kmfrom our basecamp, and we’ve contacted Evolution Bicyles who have offered delivery to our Finca. Get in touch with them asap to secure a bike - January is a busy time!

If hiring, for most fun and comfort on the off-road stuff, we recommend a “hardtail” mountain bike. I.e. one that has suspension just at the front.

Bikepacking Bags

A bag will be needed for the overnight trip to carry your stuff.  A small rucksack (around 15L) is fine, or you can bring your own bikepacking bags. We’ll have a few to loan out too.


FAQ

Straight talk - why is the price so much higher than other SITW events?

Doing stuff abroad raises the bar a bit for us. Travel for guides, extra insurances, a crashing exchange rate, and finding accommodation that gets out vibe means we have to reflect this in the cost. We’re hoping to be back with a larger scale event next winter, which means lower costs per head and more accessibility. We know not everyone will be able to make this one work. Don’t worry - our UK stuff will be back next year too.

Payment

A spot can be secured by paying a non-refundable deposit of £150. We’ll then ask for the remaining balance to be paid 45 days before the event. Cancellation between 45 days and 28 days, you’ll get 50% back. Cancellation within 28 days is non-refundable, but you can transfer your booking to another person should you find one. View the full l booking terms and conditions here

Flights

Lanzarote Airport (ACE) is well served by budget airlines, and there are lots of sub £50 flights kicking around at the moment!

Travelling with your bike

Check your airlines bike carraige policy. Most require a bike to be added as a speciifc piece of Sports Lugagge, but often you get a higher weight allowance. Usually costs in the region of £40 - 50

Getting to basecamp

Taxi is the easiest option and should cost around 40 euro. We’ll set an optional whatsapp group up for people to share travel plans. There is a bus to Masdache from Arreciefe, but from there it is a 45 minute along a road (no pavement) to basecamp.

Dietary Requirements

For our meal at basecamp, we will try to accomodate dietary requirements shared at time of booking. Vegan, Veggie and Gluten Free will be fine. However due to the small food prep area, we may unfortunately struggle to accomodate serious allergies due to the risk of cross contamination.

Insurance

It is mandatory that you get personal travel/health insurance for this trip, that includes cycling on it’s policy. E.g. with Yellow Jersey

Storing bike boxes

Bike boxes/bags can be stored at basecamp,

Can I leave things at basecamp during our over-nighter?

Yes. We won’t be checking out of the place, so everything can be left until your return. No need to pack up.

Can I arrive late/leave early?

Yep! We know it’s a long one . So if you want to arrive later or duck out early, that’s fine. Our ride on day one will be very chilled, so don’t worry if you miss it, and if you want to catch a Sunday evening flight, that’s cool. We won’t be able to offer any discount on the price unfortunately.

View Event →
Women of Colour- Intro to Bikepacking Weekend - South Downs
Oct
14
to 16 Oct

Women of Colour- Intro to Bikepacking Weekend - South Downs

When: Friday October14th 7pm - Sunday 16th Oct 4pm

Price: Thanks to support from SRAM and Komoot, we’re able to heavily subsidise the cost of the weekend for everyone, and additionally offer a couple of half price tickets for those who find the full price prohibitive. Full price ticket: £100/Subsidised £50

Starting Location : South Downs YHA, Southease, Lewes, BN8 6JS

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

We're teaming up with Vee Lowe, with support from SRAM and Komoot, to host this weekend specifically for women, non-binary and trans people of colour. Our aim is to create an opportunity for folks to try bikepacking in a supportive and fun space with all the gear and support needed to get out on an adventure.

Vee is a "scientist by day, and a cycling enthusiast literally every other minute outside of work". Starting out as a bike commuter, Vee is now a fully fledged bikepacker, taking on trips across Europe, Rwanda, and some epic challenges here in the UK. After coming to two of our previous Sisters in the Wild weekends, we're stoked to have Vee join us to share her bikepacking passion with others.

In small groups of 8-14, we'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the South Downs before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.

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 from POC/BAME communities, that 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 camping on Saturday.

  • Bike loan if you need it

  • Camping kit and bikepacking bag 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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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 roll into our campsite late afternoon, 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.

  • An off-road ready bike (if you have one) - 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. We will have demo bikes to loan if you need. Book with ticket.

  • 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 20L, that you'll be comfortable riding with

  • Helmet

  • Spares/tools for your own bike if you're bringing one. 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.

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.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156

Got a question?

Drop us an email hello@sistersinthewild.com

View Event →
SITW Rally - East Devon Trail 2022
Oct
6
to 10 Oct

SITW Rally - East Devon Trail 2022

We’re hosting a Bikepacking Rally!

Join us to ride the East Devon Trail, a new bikepacking route designed by Katherine Moore. Starting and ending with a night at our Sisters in the Wild basecamp, you’ll ride your way - self supported over the 115 mile 50/50 off=road loop.

View Event →
South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend
Sep
16
to 18 Sep

South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend

When: Friday 16 September 7:30pm - Sunday 19 September 4pm

Price: £210 full price/£95 subsidised (lower income)

Starting Location : South Downs YHA, Southease, Lewes, BN8 6JS

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

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. Our inaugural weekend in the South Downs in October 2021 was a big success, and with support from Ortlieb and Alpkit, we’re stoked to bring them back for 2022!

In small groups of 8-14, we'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the South Downs before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.

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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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

  • 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 20L, 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.

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.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156

Got a question?

Drop us an email hello@sistersinthewild.com

View Event →
Lake District - Intro To Bikepacking Weekend
Aug
5
to 7 Aug

Lake District - Intro To Bikepacking Weekend

When: Friday 5th August 7pm - Sunday 7 August 4pm

Price: £195 full price/£95 subsidised (lower income)

Starting Location :Windermere YHA, Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LA

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

Our aim for this weekend event is to remove some of those barriers and create an opportunity to try bikepacking in a supportive and fun space. We'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the Lake Distrcit before rolling into our campsite for the evening.

If you don't have all the gear - don't worry. We can provide many of the essentials, including lightweight tents, mats 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 a day in hilly/mixed terrain, have a bike capable of riding off-road (or are up for hiring one - we can give tips!), 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 Windermere , and 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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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 Windermere YHA on Friday evening , 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 off-road and road in the gorgeous Lake District National Park. There’ll definitely be a few hills and maybe bits of riding that will give yo a chance to test out your off-road skills!. But we ride together as a group! 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. 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

  • We'll have a limited number of sleeping mats and bags too. Get in touch before booking if you need one of these.

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. There’s plenty of places to hire on locally - ask us for advice!

  • 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 20L, 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

Riding

The ride will take in a mixed bag of Lake District terrain, with a mix of offroad and quiet roads. There will be a few hills, some bits of more technical terrain, and we'll most likely all be off walking 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 mellow gravel tracks, a dirt, grass and a few rocky bridleways to try out. We expect to cover about 50 miles over the weekend.

How do I get there?

Our Friday meeting point is is very close to Windermere train station. Trains from Manchester 2 hours, or about 2hr 45 from London.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156.

Bike Hire

Is available close to the hostel from few places, and costs around £60 - £70 for the weekend. A good place to start is https://www.countrylaneslakedistrict.co.uk/ , right next to Windermere train station. We recommend hiring one of their hardtail MTB for the weekend.

Want to know more?

Take a look at some of the highlight videos on our instagram page, and read our testimonials to see what other people thought of our previous weekends. And feel free to drop us an email with any niggling questions!

View Event →
South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend
Jul
15
to 17 Jul

South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend

When: Friday 15 July 7:30pm - Sunday 17 July 4pm

Price: £210 full price/£95 subsidised (lower income)

Starting Location : South Downs YHA, Southease, Lewes, BN8 6JS

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

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. Our inaugural weekend in the South Downs in October 2021 was a big success, and with support from Ortlieb and Alpkit, we’re stoked to bring them back for 2022!

In small groups of 8-14, we'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the South Downs before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.

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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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

  • 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 20L, 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.

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.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156

Got a question?

Drop us an email hello@sistersinthewild.com

View Event →
SITW Summer Gathering
May
20
to 22 May

SITW Summer Gathering

Tickets:

Tent Spot - Full Price £110/Subsidised £75

Campervan/camping pod add on’s available.

We're bringing back the summer Sisters In The Wild vibe to the Lake District. 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 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 and skill building opportunities thrown in as well.

What’s included?

  • A place to pitch your tent for Friday and Saturday OR a spot in a basic shared camping pod/yurt (with Camping Pod ticket)

  • Communal, vegan dinner on Friday and Saturday evening

  • Two days of off road/gravel focused ride routes via Komoot, and free Lakes Komoot map bundle

  • Campfires, story telling and skills building session sessions (some free ones, some optional add on ones TBA!) around the rides

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!

  • 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 unsure, sign up to one one of our subsidised guided rides!

  • Route options will range from 20-ish miles to 55-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 short sections of hike-a-bike on the longer rougher routes. There will be gentler route options available

  • Riders should be self sufficient and carry their own navigation, tools, spares, first aid and snacks

Basecamp

We're at Grizedale Campsite near Satterthwaire in the Southern Lake District. Arrival from 5pm on Friday 29th October. Depart Sunday evening by 6pm.

The closest train station is Windermere (1 hr 5 min cycle). There'll also be parking available on site.

Loos and showers available on site. No shop - bring what you need for the weekend.

What gear will I need?

We’ll send out a full kit list in advance, but key things will include:

  • A safety checked Bike & Helmet (bike hire options available)

  • Camping gear - Tent, Sleeping Mat, Sleeping Bag, headtorch etc

  • Cooking stuff if you want to cook at camp

  • Breakfasts/snacks

  • Bike Lights (just in case!)

  • A navigation device (e.g. phone, garmin, wahoo etc)

  • Waterproof/Warm cycling and basecamp clothes

If you don't have a tent or mat, we'll have a few available to loan. Just get in touch before booking (sistersinthewildUK@gmail.com) and we'll see what we can do. Sorry, we can't lend sleeping bags.

FAQ

Is my bike and experience level OK?

Have a look at the notes above, but please just drop us a message if you have any questions. 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 offorad confidence will stand you in good stead.

Is bike hire available?

Yep! Ghlylside Cycles are offering a discounted bike hire package for the weekend for, delivered to the campsite. Contact them directly to arrange.

Phone: 015394 33592 Email: sales@ghyllside.co.uk

How do I get to basecamp?

Car sharing encouraged. There’ll be parking onsite. Closest 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.

Can I arrive later than 5pm on Friday?

Yep! Be aware you might miss dinner though!

Can I come alone?

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.

Can I stay on the Sunday night?

Yep - There's the option to stay and extra night in the basecamp after the event for £15, paid directly to the campsite.

Still got a question? Send us an email sistersinthewilduk@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

View Event →
Peak District - Intro To Bikepacking Weekend
Apr
15
to 17 Apr

Peak District - Intro To Bikepacking Weekend

When: 15th April 6pm - 17 April 4pm

Price: £195 full price/£95 subsidised (lower income)

Starting Location : Edale YHA, Edale, Hope Valley, S33 7ZH

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

Our aim for this weekend event is to remove some of those barriers and create an opportunity to try bikepacking in a supportive and fun space. We'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the South Downs before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.

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 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 Edale, and in 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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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 Edale YHA on Friday evening , 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 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 secluded 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

  • We'll have a limited number of sleeping mats and bags too. Get in touch before booking if you need one of these.

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

  • 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 20L, 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

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.

How do I get there?

Our Friday meeting point is is very close to Edale 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

View Event →
Women’s Intro to Bikepacking Weekend - With Adventure Queens
Apr
8
to 10 Apr

Women’s Intro to Bikepacking Weekend - With Adventure Queens

When: 8th April 6pm - 10th April 4pm

Price: £195, £95 subsidized (+ Eventbrite booking fee)

Starting Location : Edale YHA, Edale, Hope Valley, S33 7ZH

We’re collaborating with Adventure Queens to run a Introduction To Bikepacking weekend for their awesome women’s outdoor community. Our aim for this weekend event is to create an opportunity to try bikepacking in a fun space, with all the gear, tips and support you need to give it a go! Our starting location in Edale is easily accessible by train, 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 are Adventure Queens?

Adventure Queens is a UK based, not-for-profit women’s adventure community – set up with the aim of delicately bringing down the barriers that prevent women from going on outdoor adventures and realising their full potential.

They’re free to join, highly accessible and completely inclusive for anyone that identifies as a woman.

Who's this for?

Any woman* 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 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.

*Whilst most of our SITW events are open to any WTFNB person, this one is focused on anyone who identifies as a woman

What's included

  • Friday night accommodation (shared dorm) in the YHA in Edale, and in 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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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

We'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over a communal meal, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. 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.

Friday:

Meeting in Edale YHA on Friday evening, we'll spend the evening getting to know each other over a communal dinner, talking about the plan for the weekend, hopes and fears, and share tips for packing for a weekend of bikepacking!

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 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 secluded 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.

Sunday

After breakfast at camp, we'll pack up tents and 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

  • Sleeping Mat

  • Stoves

  • We'll have a limited number of sleeping bags too. Get in touch before booking if you need one of these.

What gear do I need?

We'll share a proper kit list before, but key things you'll need to bring include:

  • 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.

  • Sleeping Bag - A 3 season, lightweight bag. We'll have a very limited number of these to borrow - please email sistersinthewilduk@gmail.com in advance of booking to check if we have one available.

  • A small rucksack - Around 20L, 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

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.

How to get there?

Our Friday meeting point is is very close to Edale train station. Trains from Manchester and Sheffield are around 45 minutes, or about 2hr 45 from London. Remember to book your bike on the train if coming in advance.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156

Bike hire

Bike hire will be available! £70 for the weekend through The Bike Garage, including delivery and pick up from our start/end point. Book directly through https://bikegarage.co.uk/, and then drop them and us an email to tell them its for the SITW weekend at Edale YHA.

Can I join if I’m not part of the Adventure Queens community?

This event is exclusively for the AQ community, which is free to join. Take a look at their website or facebook group, and if that seems like something you’d like to be a part of, go join!


View Event →
South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend
Mar
18
to 20 Mar

South Downs - Intro to Bikepacking Weekend

When: 18th March 6pm - 20 March 4pm

Price: £195 full price/£95 subsidised (lower income)

Starting Location : South Downs YHA, Southease, Lewes, BN8 6JS

Tickets: Buy Here

Our Sisters In The Wild festival showed us there's many folks out there who are keen to give bikepacking a go. We heard that kit, confidence, and people to share the adventure with were the common challenges to getting started.

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. Our inaugural weekend in the South Downs in October 2021 was a big success, and with support from Ortlieb and Alpkit, we’re stoked to bring them back for 2022!

In small groups of 8-14, we'll start the weekend in true Sisters In The Wild style, sharing skills and tips over campfire, before loading up to head out on our own overnight bikepacking adventure together. We'll ride a mix of on road and off, getting comfortable with our loaded bikes on the dirt tracks of the South Downs before rolling into our camp-spot for the evening.

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 (we'll all pitch in to cook) 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

  • 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 20L, 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.

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.

Car sharing encouraged! Check out the Lift Sharing facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/830374944541156

Got a question?

Drop us an email sistersinthewildUK@gmail.com

View Event →