https://i.postimg.cc/tJ3zqDQN/EAB31563-9438-44-BD-B6-CB-C4629222947-E.jpg I have two of these. Work fine. Taken some serious stuffing. But given that they’re made to measure, I wish I'd specified that the zip should be on the other side. Why? Because I’ve found it easier to pack it with the bike on...

The actual riding with regard to how far, how long, etc doesn't really ever factor. My brain tends to be filled with ... I wonder how long it took to build that wall up there? Why do people tie gates up with bailing twine? I wonder how many people worked in this mine? Ooh that's a lovely old barn t...

Hammocking is always my preferred option for bivvying -comfy, dry, roomy. Did I say comfy? So for hammocking I take a hammock (obs), tarp, quilt, underquilt For ground-sleeping I take tarp, quilt, neoair, and tyvek ground sheet. The big dilemma for me is always, “Will I find some trees?” Easy if I’v...

I was afraid it wouldn't happen but, BAM 2020, 6/12 and overall 66 in a row. Not what I would call a BAM but needs must.... Load up the first bike on the FIFO stack. Pedal 1 mile to our village hall where there's a handy dry shed. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50046956412_c526e2db3d.jpg Minima...

Think it a balance required between the two and personal responsibility is important. I am not sure its actually either or. ^This! But the news media seem to be more “they” than “you” I’m sure the scenes on hot-spot beaches are the exception rather the rule (media hype), but I wonder how many of th...

Its the end of lockdown til lthe inevitable second spike Lockdown or no lockdown, there’s a lot to be said for taking responsibility for your own safety. There’s a lot of “ They should be doing more to keep people safe” around, but that’s dodging our own responsibilities. We’ve become so dependent ...

Chuffin' hell :shock: Sincerely hope you recover from both. If you were bad enough to be on a ventilator at any time make sure you get a scan of your lungs done, Covid-19 can really mess with them. Good luck. It sounds a lot worse than it was. I never at any time thought I'd kark it. Pulse oxymeter...

Off Topic alert!!! Hey up Lu ! I hope you're doing well ? "Am I still around ?"..... ermmm YES :-bd I don't know whether any of your consultants suggested this, but I read that this Virus thingy can also trigger blood clots. I know you tested negative, but there's so much they do not know about this...

Does that mean its looking very likely and good for the BB200... Just wondering Still too early to say really Shaf. Entries would usually open on July 1st but we'll hold off and see how things develop. I was hoping WRT could now go ahead in August. WRT event has been the central event for me for th...

I’m out of hospital. Huzzah! After 11 days in Acute Cardio Unit, then 5 more in the covid ward. I haven’t gone home though, in case I infect my wife, who is vulnerable. I’m staying with my daughter, self isolating for a week. I’m still very weak - walking from room to room can have me sitting down u...

RIP wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:05 pm

Sadly, I suspect, even if that were the case people would find some other way of discriminating against each other,

So true. Look how many ways people of the same colour find to discriminate against each other. Christians have found ways to split hairs ever finer, then hate each other for it

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:09 pm

Take some consolation in the fact that it's now turned cold and wet

But I prefer cold and (not too) wet. Give me a frosty morning over a sweltering sunny day any time.

Not so cheery, I'm starting my second week in hospital. My temperature keeps spiking and they don't know why. On my third and fourth antibiotics now. They thought pericarditis but now they're wondering if it's something left over from my broken ribs 18 months ago. :o We'll see. I've had 5 covid swab...

Thanks for all the good wishes. A certain joie de vivre comes with finding out life is fragile. I found it a bit sobering to think that I could have karked it and left my wife with the job of getting rid of 3 sheds and a cowshed full of my stuff to get rid of. My trouble is, I'm a hoarder. All the s...

I met some russian bike Packers once who were chewing freshly ground coffee with sugar then swilling it down with a shot of vodka! I quite liked it but it gave my cousin a panic attack... I'm not sure the quality of the grind was greatly appreciated mind.. If I come across any, I'll always buy some...

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑

Tue May 19, 2020 10:36 pm

(were you tested for CV19? - blood clotting is a known symptom)

I've had CV-19 test. Negative so that's OK. I should be let out tomorrow.

Thanks Stu. It may not be too bad - look at Pickers - he's riding again. I might just have t be a bit more selective about which way round I tackle the hills.

I might have to suspend my 2020 BAM campaign 'coz I've just had a heart attack. THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. Im going to write to my MP. Hmpff! To be fair, it's not the clutching at your chest, gasping for air, going blue kind of heart attack. Just a fever, a nagging flu-like ache across the sho...

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑

Sun May 17, 2020 6:27 pm

It's very true that when time restraints are tighter, productivity appears to increase.

True. The job that’s left until the last minute, only takes a minute to do.

Less than cheery here Yesterdays overnight frost has taken all the tops off my potatoes and done for most of the sweetcorn

I couldn't keep warm without an underquilt. In the summer I use a modified cloud-cover. In winter, a UKHammocks underquilt. If I’m unsure if I’ll find the right trees to hang in, I’ll take a sleeping mat to use instead. Going without under-insulation of either kind is not an option.

My WRT-alike day 2 bivvy was in the corner of one of my own fields. Technically, it was OK for me to ride (36 miles) and sleep in a field. But how is that different from someone else doing it? Or me doing it and sleeping in a different field? Apart from feeling guilty, that is..

When you get it I personally believe the comfort of a hammock dispels all the less positive aspects (extra weight, bulk, faff etc) compared to the ground. It's guaranteed to make me smile. Ground's fine and I think lighter, easier and simpler (tho not without faff sometimes) but it just isn't the j...

mfezela wrote: ↑

Sun May 10, 2020 8:32 pm

Try parboiling them at home first. Partly cooked they're no heavier than raw.

A good idea. It would save on fuel too. I'd have to be a bit careful how I carried them though - thinking they might turn into par-mash.

I've just done 86 miles on my fake WRT and the furthest I've been from home is just over 8 miles (as the crow flies). Talk about going around in circles..