Plot. Pedal. Pitch: Behind the Scenes of the First Sonder Camp Out Route

Follow the journey of planning and riding the inaugural Sonder Camp Out route—from reccy rides and GPX tweaks to misty moorland climbs, cliff-top trails, and barbecue-fueled campfire laughs.

Fancy plotting the route for a 2 day bikepacking event from the shop, to Middleton Top Campsite? “Yes. Definitely!” I said.

After 2x months of reccy rides and countless hours plotting different versions of the routes to the campsite and back to the shop again, the route was sorted and emailed to Adam. Here we go!

The Saturday route, would take the riders from the start, in Hathersage. Through the beautifully quiet lanes, bridleways and cycle paths of the White peak, over to the camp spot at the wonderful little campsite at Middleton Top, on the hills above Matlock.

The route took in as many cool trails, big hills, stunning villages and eye watering views as this part of the white peak has to offer. 36 miles for the Saturday. 33 miles for the Sunday.

Some highlights for me were Sir William Hill, the plague village of Eyam, the gorgeous Monsal Head viaduct and tunnel and a personal favourite of mine, Long Dale - nicely described by Eric Wilcock as lush, grassy, and peaceful. Of course there were plenty of cafe stops to choose from along the way.

As we arrived at Alpkit Hathersage, we were greeted by smiling staff members armed with coffee and Danish pastries. As the riders gathered outside, almost every model in the Sonder fleet, was proudly represented. Titanium gearbox bikes were drooled over and once the traditional lifting of loaded bikes to see if yours was the heaviest, was completed, we were off.

Saturdays ride was a nicely paced and social exercise in absorbing the landscape. No real rush. Plenty of time to take photos. Chat to other riders and sample the coffee and cakes along the way.

Just outside Youlgreave, we saw the distinctive sign of an Alpkit flag, peaking over a dry stone wall. Adam and Scott were set up with a cracking little fuel stop. Cans of coke, more Danish pastries and a handful of haribos and off we rode to tackle the last section. This took in the awesome High Peak Trail. A long disused railway line. The views along the trail are breathtaking. Finally we arrived at the campsite.

Legs aching after the realisation it’s been a long time since riding fully loaded, it was brilliant to be met by an Alpkit gazebo full of smiling faces warming up the barbecue! The evening was spent eating way too much and laughing to stories of adventures from like minded people.

Sundays ride, was a bit easier on the legs. It began with a 3 mile descent down to the Cromford canal. What a beautiful section of trail that is. Craggy, wooded and peppered with relics of a long history of heavy industry. Into Matlock Bath, picking up the new sign posted White Peak Loop back to Rowsley, Bakewell, Pilsley and down to Baslow.

A cracking second breakfast in a cafe was needed to fuel the last monster climb up the bridleway to Curbar and Froggatt Edge. Surely one of the best trails in the Peak District. A spectacular cliff top trail, with some of the best views in the peak.

The final 3 mile descent down the utterly furious “The Dale” back to Hathersage, felt like the end of a roller coaster!

Arriving back at the Alpkit store, just before a downpour!

More coffee. More pastries and time to share stories of the day with the other riders. Some, arriving after the downpour, had descended the Dale in the heavy rain and were absolutely drenched!

The Alpkit crew really know how to make a weekend feel special. Nothing was too much trouble. Food when needed. Coffee when needed and smiling faces throughout!

As I peddled back to the van. Armed with an Alpkit goody bag and a shiny new tent purchase, I was tired and happy. Very happy.

You can follow more of Nicks cycling adventures on his You Tube channel.