Peaks, BBQs, and First-Timers: Sonder’s Rideout-Stayout Kicks Off

On the weekend of 31 May, Sonder hosted its first-ever bikepacking rideout in the Peak District - and now it’s time to share some of these stories.

Picture this: great weather, 30 miles of Peak grit, gravel and a gang of friendly faces. A campsite lit with laughter, BBQs, and Kickback Coffee brewing strong under the stars.

It all started at Alpkit Hathersage. The vibe? Inclusivity.

Whether you turned up with your own Camino or Broken Road (other Sonders do exist), borrowed a Sonder from the store or skidded to a halt on some other mutation ~ all were welcome.

Whether you were carrying your kit in panniers, fancy rackless bike luggage, rucksack or, by the Power of Grayskull just getting it to stick somehow, all were welcome.

Bikepacking has such a great tradition of adopting and quickly evolving the more 'innovative' carrying solutions. Learning how others have solved the problem of attaching kit to their bikes is just another fascinating aspect of bikepacking events like this.

GPX loaded up, straps tight, our riders rolled out in small pods, swapping stories and snacks. Tracking from North to South the route swept us from the grit, over the moors and into limestone country.

Eric Wilcock, no stranger to Sonder had stuff to say "Good to see so many Sonder Riders in one place, great mix of people who never met each other before going away as friends. The route created by Nick Howarth was a cracker, tough especially loaded up with kit but didn't fail to surprise at every turn with amazing trails and views."

We had to give Eric his own post as he had so many other good things to say about the event.

The route ran through some of the most scenic, thigh-burning, grin-inducing mtb and gravel tracks the Peaks have to offer.

Julie Phelan, Peak District Mountain Bike Guide, Youtuber and frequent Sonder Gravel Ride rider picks up the story after having let the group get warmed up.

"Living just a few miles from the Saturday night camp, I decided to ride out and meet the group heading my way. At first, I thought I’d missed them entirely, but then I remembered one universal truth: if you’re looking for cyclists, follow the smell of coffee and cake. Sure enough, I found the crew at Hassop Station—well-fed, cheerful, and already sharing stories from the trail."

By nightfall, we pitched up at a cosy, bike-friendly site just a freewheel from Wirksworth. Dinner was a casual affair — bbq, fresh pastries, and plenty of beers to toast new friends and slightly sore legs. Julie fills us in on the delights of an overnight camp, Sonder style;

"Saturday night’s camp at Middleton Top was great. The site is run by a cyclist, and their warm welcome set the tone for a relaxed, well-organised evening. Good facilities, hot showers, and plenty of space to unwind made it the perfect stop after a big day on the bike."

If you heard bikepacking was all about carrying your bike, eating beef-jerky and bivvying under midge infested ferns... then keep reading because it is time to dispel that myth, back to Julie...

"As the evening progressed, people shared food, stories, and a few beers as the sun dipped behind the hills. There was no pressure, no pretence—just a bunch of people happy to be outdoors, sharing the same trail and the love of adventure."

If that sounds good to you, still keep reading because we have another of these events scheduled for later in the year.

Of course, this wasn’t a race. It was an experience. A proper escape from screens and routines. A space where no one cared how fast you climbed — only that you gave it a go and had an adventure. How does Julie sum up the route?

"This year’s Sonder Camp Out weekend was a brilliant blend of riding, community, and classic Peak District atmosphere. The route served up a little bit of everything—gravel tracks, bridleways, lung-busting climbs, and fast descents, all framed by sweeping views and some textbook Peak District weather."

We can't take credit for the weather, but this year we really have had it good in the Peak District. Julie continues with some kind words for the team who made this event happen.

"The support from the staff at the Hathersage Alpkit store was spot-on—friendly, approachable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They even met us out on the route with water and snacks, which was a real boost for tired legs and dry throats. The supply of food seemed almost endless—hot meals, snacks, and brews flowing freely. No one went hungry!"

Now there is a truism if I have ever heard one - no one goes hungry on a Sonder weekend!

"If you’re even slightly curious about bikepacking or gravel adventures, weekends like this are a brilliant way in. Fingers crossed it becomes a regular thing—I’ll be back."

It is funny you should mention that Julie because plans are already in process.

If you missed this one, don’t sweat it — join us again in Inverness in August. Expect the same chill vibes, new trails, and that unbeatable Sonder spirit. Bikes, banter, and bivvy bags.

If you feel like you summer’s missing a story, here’s your chance to fill in the gaps. Will we see you in Inverness?

Big thanks to Julie Phelan, Eric Wilcock and Lucy Allan for words and pictures, Nick Howarth for the 'cracking' route and Adam Olive and the Hathersage store team for organising the event.