First tracks and lasting memories: The inaugural Sonder bikepacking camp out

Fourteen riders, countless climbs, epic views, and one unforgettable weekend—this is the story of the very first Sonder Camp Out, where community, challenge, and shared stoke came together under open skies.

What started as a few chats with Adam Olive in 2024 finally came to life at the end of May 2025, and the first-ever Sonder Camp Out was born. For me, it kicked off on Saturday morning at 7:30am as I drove from Leicestershire to the Alpkit Hathersage store. Even early on, a few eager riders were already milling around, adjusting gear, and chatting in anticipation of the day ahead.

Fourteen riders had signed up for the weekend, on a mix of bikes - Sonder Caminos, Broken Roads, and a few other trusty steeds. Nick Howarth, Paul Dyer and I made up a trio of Broken Road Once the last-minute faffing was done and the final arrivals joined us, we set off in glorious sunshine and cool morning air.

We climbed out past Leadmill and up the steady ascent to Sir William Hill Road. With our bikes fully loaded, it took a little time to adjust to the weight, and soon enough, we began to find our own rhythms. The road eventually gave way to the first of many off-road trails, and we wound our way towards Eyam and Stoney Middleton. The climb up Coombs Dale past the quarry was rewarded with expansive views across the valley—a perfect preview of the route ahead toward Monsal Head.

At the top, an ice cream van and incredible views greeted us—just the right combo to refuel before cruising down to the Monsal Trail. The trail was as popular as ever, packed with walkers and cyclists all enjoying the Peak District in fine weather. A quick pit stop at Hassop Station gave us a chance to grab some proper food before continuing through Bakewell, Over Haddon, and Youlgreave. The trails through Long Dale were a highlight—lush, grassy, and peaceful.

Eventually, we reached the High Peak Trail and knew we were in for an easier ride into our overnight stop at Middleton Top Campsite. There, Adam and Scott had set up a proper basecamp with an Alpkit gazebo, food, drinks, and BBQ bins ready to go. Tents pitched, fires lit, and plates filled, we relaxed into the evening—sharing stories, making new friends, and soaking in the golden-hour vibes. It was everything a bikepacking adventure should be.

After a solid night’s sleep—helped no doubt by the climbing and a few drinks—we were up and moving relatively early. My Strava clocked just over 4,000ft of climbing across 36 miles the day before, so it’s no wonder sleep came easy!

Breakfast sorted, we welcomed the chance to offload our gear (thanks to Alpkit for taking it back in the van!) and roll out feeling light and fast. The day began with a cruise down the High Peak Trail to the Cromford Canal, then onwards toward Matlock Bath. Following the River Derwent, we joined the railway path through Darley Dale and Rowsley—gentle at first, before the route suddenly kicked up again.

The climb back into the hills tested tired legs, eventually leading us to Coombs Road and back into Bakewell. From there, the elevation picked up—again! We were all silently grateful to be riding without our full kit as we tackled the relentless climb out of Bakewell towards Pilsley and Hassop.

From there, a fast descent into Baslow brought welcome relief and the perfect excuse for a second breakfast before taking on one of the more infamous sections of the weekend: the climb up Bar Road bridlepath to Curbar and Froggatt Edge.

The wind made itself known as we reached the exposed edge trails, blowing us safely away from the drop—thankfully. But the views made every pedal stroke worth it. On a clear day, the Peak District truly shines, and today it was showing off. Boulder-strewn paths led us to Longshaw Estate—where Springwatch was filming, though we didn’t spot any of the crew—and finally across the Hathersage Road to the last big climb: Burbage Moor.

This was a climb I’d been wanting to do for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint—tough, but not too steep. We crested at Burbage Bridge into a stiff headwind, which tested our resolve one last time before we dropped down The Dale on a thrilling descent. Care was needed with walkers and cars, but when the path was clear, it was fast.

We rolled back into Hathersage and the Alpkit store, greeted with coffee and cakes—a perfect finish to an unforgettable weekend.

What an awesome weekend. It was great to ride with new people, explore some of the best the Peaks have to offer, and enjoy a beautifully prepared route from local legend Nick Howarth. The whole event ran like clockwork, right down to a planned fuel stop en route.

Huge thanks to Adam, Scott, and the Hathersage Alpkit Team for pulling it all together. The campsite had everything we needed, the community vibe was spot on, and the memories made will last a long time. Here’s hoping other stores take this idea on, just like the Winter Gravel Series—because there’s nothing quite like a Sonder Camp Out to bring people together.

Thank you, Alpkit. Here’s to the next one.