Sonder Bikes
60+ riders conquered muddy trails and challenging climbs at the Bristol edition of Sonder Winter Gravel Series. Read the full event report and route highlights.
The Bristol Edition of the Sonder Winter Gravel Series started with a great turnout in-store, with punters queueing before we even opened. We cracked out the pastries, fruit and coffee in huge quantities, when the rain started coming in. There were a good number, at least 20, Caminos out on the day, with both me and Dylan adding to the numbers. About 60-70 riders braved the rain, with maybe 10 of those asking for the shorter loop.
It had been raining the past two days so it was assumed some of the trails at least would be quite sloppy and more challenging than on testing. However, it was all looking good for the climb through Ashton, descent through Belmont, and then the long, lower-back-busting, uphill through Bourton Combe. No-one got up the slab at the start of the Combe without a foot down, but then again no one brought an e-bike, so I wasn't surprised.
The middle section was the muddiest, with some really challenging long sections of flood, both on the roads and on the tracks, but riders of all abilities ploughed through with encouragement from the other riders, and there were mostly grins all round. There was one flood which nearly threw me OTB, but luckily there was enough path around it for everyone else to skirt around.
Before leaving the Chew Valley there was the final challenge of Hanny's Lane into Sandy Lane. Despite the mud, the surface beneath was solid and it was possible to hold speed through the entire section. Some were considering popping into the Druid's Arms for a beer or finding themselves at the stone circles at Stanton Drew before the biggest climb of the day, up to the top of Dundry Down.
A little blitz along the top with skyline views of Bristol, before plunging down Highridge and the bypass to return to Ashton court. There was a road closure, so we all got stuck in a traffic jam instead of enjoying the view as the weather cleared.
The long and short loopers came back together on the descent before splitting again, climbing up through the park on the bridleway and the main path respectively. I managed to wash my bike and self a little bit, blasting through the puddles along the top, before a short descent and across the Clifton Suspension Bridge to get back to the shop.
The highlight of the day for me was the Rocks Lane Byway, with its flat non-technical start with views back to Bristol over the Barrow Gurney reservoirs, which then turns into twisty singletrack before kicking you out into the main road down a steep but manageable slope.
The vast majority of riders made it back. There was a great atmosphere at the shop when we returned, and more than a handful of people went out of their way to compliment the route, and of course an excellent take for the Alpkit Foundation. Roll on 2026!
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