No marshmallows - shame . They were almost big enough to use as beanbags to sit on round the fire .

Thinking again about the temporary misjuxtaposition of contestants last year near Chequers, it seems strange there was no phone signal in what must be one of the richest locations on the planet. I get a better signal at the Star Inn! Maybe that's the way the black range rover people want it....

TheBrownDog wrote:

Permission to bring fireworks, sir?

Sadly, permission denied. Sam keeps a low profile at the field.

Understood.

Evening team, time to sort out a few things now this is just weeks away rather than months.

First up, we're 13 for dinner going on the list below. If Ive missed anyone, please lemme know, as I will make a booking for dinner this week, and also see if we cant get the pub's function room. Dinner is at the Red Lion on Upper Icknield Way, Princes Risborough. With a big group, they will probably appreciate getting our orders in early, so closer t'date I'll drop a note round with the menu.

Here tis: http://www.theredlionwhiteleaf.co.uk/

Second up, clearly not compulsory but it'd be good to do another whatsapp group for the ride. So can I ask everyone to email me their phone numbers plus telling me their names and handles, I will do the thing that you do to get that done. My email is timpie2010@gmail.com

Third up, Reg emailed me the GPX of the route, but Ive no idea how these things work so will just email it around when I get everyone's details.

And lastly ....... actually, I cant think of anything else. Laterz peeps


Yes People
Myself
RIP
MuddyPete
Rich3rd
Bigdummysteve
Pickers
JamesH
Dr Nick (yah ... Dr Nick!!)
JamesO
Chickenlegs
Gummikuh
Sam Of The Field
Benp1

Maybe People
RichardG
Zippy

85% I'll be there now I think.

That's a pretty specific percentage there Zip

85% ± 15%

Zippy wrote:85% ± 15%

plus or minus 15 percent, or percentage points?

Wish I hadn't mentioned it now . These "appearance prediction" percentages interest me now. I'd like to see the bikepacking-specific formula for calculating them. For instance I've just been told that I won't be issued with any Passes for November weekends (apart from my already-booked BaM on 18th) for "domestic tasks reasons". So for me it might be something like "<desire-to-go-bivvying> - 100 + ( <number-of-passes-left> * <bike-fitness> * <body-fitness> * <DIY-brownie-points-earned-this-month> * <spending-money-allowance>".

Yeah, you can stick me in the definitely column.

I wont have been on the bike since BB200... but people can deal with me being unfit and slow for once.

Richard G wrote:Yeah, you can stick me in the definitely column.

I wont have been on the bike since BB200... but people can deal with me being unfit and slow for once.

Nice one Richard, be good to catch up. Last time we spoke I promised to wake you up at about 7am, and then promptly woke up at 9.30am (by which point not only you but everyone had gone!)... sorry

I can say for certain I wont want waking up early on this one.

Richard G wrote:I can say for certain I wont want waking up early on this one.

Depends if your sleeping within 30ft of Reg ....

So, for good measure, we are now 14. Awesumz. Now, I have it on good authority (that being the man himself) that the day before the sleep out is Sam's birthday. There will be special celebrations, because he only has one every year or so. Bring your singing voices.

100% People
Myself
RIP
MuddyPete
Rich3rd
Bigdummysteve
Pickers
JamesH
Dr Nick (yah ... Dr Nick!!)
JamesO
Chickenlegs
Gummikuh
Sam Of The Field
Benp1
RichardG

85% Person
Zippy

Really looking forward to this, but wondering if my sleeping bag will be up to scratch is its Chapel Hat Peg weather . Its a 400g down bag, but I've not used it below about 3C, might be doing a Michelin man impression otherwise .

Yeah, lots of ice on things this morning here - exactly 0degC overnight. You'll just have to bring that bed warming pan you got from Antiques Roadshow, fill it up from the firepit, shove it in your bag an hour before you crash out, then you'll be supertoasty .

VIZ Top Tip: "take the warming pan out of the sleeping bag before you put yourself in the sleeping bag".

BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER ....

Finally called the Red Lion at Whiteleaf and they've had the 16th booked for months with the local rugby club staging a pub takeover.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Anywhere around Little Kimble or Ellesborough will do the trick.

I think I'm going to pick up one of those ridiculously insulated mats. My bag is great, but I've often found myself with a cold back / side.

TheBrownDog wrote:BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER ....

Finally called the Red Lion at Whiteleaf and they've had the 16th booked for months with the local rugby club staging a pub takeover.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Anywhere around Little Kimble or Ellesborough will do the trick.

Oh dear, that's not good. How about the Swan? Ddon't know anything about it but Trip Advisor reviews look ok

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restauran ... gland.html

Failing that we could stop at a pub en route for a late feed then head straight to Sams? We can take light dinners to have there

Will anyone going be any good at hammocks? I'd like to try mine out, but would likely need help.guidance.

As long as we can stock on food and beer somehow, be it at Sam's or at a pub, we'll be happy.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

We can take light dinners to have there

Hardened, scared o' nowt bikepackers ... or ladies that lunch?

ARG. Don't tell the other mobs or they'll take the piss out of us EDIT: Oh, too late .

Pot Noodles it is then . (Bum, Stu beat me to it ).

Will start checking a few others now....

Zippy wrote:Will anyone going be any good at hammocks? I'd like to try mine out, but would likely need help.guidance.

As long as we can stock on food and beer somehow, be it at Sam's or at a pub, we'll be happy.

I can help Zip, though I haven't used my hammock for about 5 years! Things like knots for getting the tarp taut etc are all pretty standard usually

What hammock? Do you have tree huggers and all the hardwear?

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

We can take light dinners to have there

Hardened, scared o' nowt bikepackers ... or ladies that lunch?

Gosh, how uncouth and proletarian - I mean amuse bouche, light canapes and antipasti

A few different types of sushi, blinis, cheese, cured meats, olives, you know the drill. I'm quite partial to a quail scotch egg

Yep, as Ben mentioned - the Swan at Little Kimble: http://www.kimbleswan.co.uk/uploadedMen ... n%20V3.pdf.

Or another one that looks quite good is the Three Crowns at Askett, which is a bit nearer Sam's? It's also got a separate Stables Bar for when we get a bit riotous . There's a "festive menu" which looks pretty good: http://thethreecrownsaskett.co.uk/image ... e_Menu.pdf.

Both seem to have reasonable beer, maybe slightly better at the Swan.

or even the Plough at Cadsden: http://theplough.pub/christmas-party-dinner. Probably a lot pricier, but they do have sticky toffee pudding . And you might see Saint Theresa there too (that might not necessarily be an attraction of course).

Just in case, I'm going to buy shares in Pot Noodles and await the stampede....

("amuse bouche, light canapes and antipasti" - . Just get some Harrods hampers delivered to Sam's and we'll be sorted...)

Wouldnt be the Chilterns Winter Bivvy without a 3-course pub meal. I'll make a few calls tomorrow starting with the Swan.

And after a few calls and a bit (very rare) decisiveness on my part, we're going here:

http://therussellarms.co.uk/

Looks very good to me and is just 5 mins from Sam's field, so even better.

I am going to have to pay a £10 per head deposit and they will be wanting us to pre-order, so everyone who's in will get a PM from me at some point asking them to check out the menu and let me know their choices.