Really really glad you're ok Jimmy. Happiest news of the week (even happier than Morocco winning their match and that player celebrating on the ptich with his mum). and I'm so glad I was always taught to 'measure twice, cut once'. Lots of hot cups o tea now that you're back safely mate... Bloody, '...

All OK Phil, thanks. Just arrived back at my home for the night, my frozen van in Ballater. I’ve finally managed to prise the door open! :grin: I’ll post more tomorrow or more likely Tuesday but suffice it to say I’ve just spent my worst two days ever on a bike (or more accurately, pushing it throug...

Your wish is my command Phil! Consider it done.

PS: Read my latest on the SWB thread.

Sorry to hear that Dave but from the sound of it you’ve made the right decision. I travelled up to Ballater today and although the roads are clear, there’s plenty of snow about. I can only imagine it’ll be quite hard going higher up in the glens. I’d intended riding from Ballater up to the bothy to ...

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 2:36 pm Maybe Jimmy's got the right idea in heading straight in with no messing about

JimmyG. If you've not tried Cramond Island a bit further down the coastline I recommend giving it a go. It's tidal so you need to take that into account. I usually get there around 7pm. Several gun fortifications to choose from but I find the smaller ones on the NE of the island the best. I reckon ...

RIP wrote: ↑Sun Nov 27, 2022 5:41 pm All looks nicely dystopian.

Well put, Reg!

I’d made my mind up to get November’s BAM done during this past week but time constraints meant I couldn’t stray too far from home. In the end I decided to head to a bivvy site I’ve used twice previously. I’m usually reluctant to revisit the same spot but on this occasion it suited my circumstances....

My mate Morne is up for joining again. Clearly a slog in through half frozen slush in the dark and fog wasn't enough to put him off... Must try harder this year :lol: :-bd I'll be taking the simplest/easiest route in i.e. straight up the double track from Ballater direction. That's the same as I us...

Yes Phil. That’s always a risk right enough and I’ll bring a tarp, etc. just in case. At the very least we can enjoy a good catchup and the warmth of that fire before getting our heads down outside if it turns out to be busy.

I'm planning on being there, wherever is finally decided upon. However, for info Dave, I visited Glas-allt-Shiel bothy in the first week of May, on that month's BAM. I had a good look round but didn't stay, instead camping in the woods nearby. As Phil says, it's at the back of the Royal bothy at the...

Just been trying to catch up....some nice ones here, I like the beach bivvy a lot Jimmy! Glad you liked it Verena .... but that sand got everywhere! :lol: Yep, sand is a sand does...one of my happiest bivvy memories though, sleeping in a little hollow of dunes by the beach, very much like your pict...

Only just got round to reading this V. Glad I did though. A very descriptive and entertaining write-up with some great pics.

Verena wrote: ↑Tue Oct 25, 2022 7:03 am Just been trying to catch up....some nice ones here, I like the beach bivvy a lot Jimmy!

Glad you liked it Verena .... but that sand got everywhere!

Real life stuff and OK, not a little lethargy, have conspired to keep me off the bike this month. It took the call of the BAM series to finally get me back in the saddle. Last Tuesday I drove out to East Lothian and rode along the John Muir Way to the John Muir Country Park and Belhaven Bay, an area...

Fun descent from away up there by Jimmy G, on Flickr

From my April BAM in Deeside, taken after my descent from the Culardoch Pass.

Last week I spent a few days in and around Rothiemurchus Forest, etc. The first couple of days were spent knocking out a mix of MTB and Gravel bike rides, by day and night. The trails are particularly enjoyable there after dark since, unlike daytimes, it’s very rare to encounter anyone else. On the ...

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Sun Sep 04, 2022 10:24 am

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:46 pm Winner bivvy? We're all winners
I'll go with that for up here too, Jimmy G suggested Her Royal Majesty's bothy in Glen Muik so that's where it is

sounds like a win

I'm in!

I wondered if anyone would spot that. I can categorically state, “It wisnae me, honest!”

Well, that’s another month where I’ve left it pretty late to get my BAM done… and once again, for convenience, I headed out into my favourite local riding area in East Lothian. Yesterday evening I rode eastwards along the coast, on a mix of road and trails, before heading inland (and away from the a...

Left it a bit late this month but got out on Thursday and Friday of this week. I rode from home and headed out to East Lothian, one of my regular bivvy areas. Via a mix of road and gravel trails, I reached my intended site in a copse near Belhaven, overlooking the River Tyne estuary (No, not that on...

Sounds like a bit of an ordeal Colin. Thankfully, all ended well.

On the subject of your Pink Floyd reference: It reminds me of the Woody Allen quote: “I don’t fear death. I just don’t want to be there when it happens”

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Fri Jun 17, 2022 9:07 pm
The Cairngorms Loop route now uses the old crossing of the Allt Garbhlach in Feshie. The estate have said they're not planning to fix the washout so I just avoid it now.

Ta Colin. Noted for future reference.

Hmm. Scottish winter Bivvy at Faindouran lodge? Certainly a contender... says he, gritting his teeth at the prospect of another hike a bike fest, but a lot more muddy this time. :shock: IF I were to head east down Glen Avon again I think I'd take my fat bike since it'd do a better job of bouncing o...