Bivvy a Month 2021

Share your rides with us.

Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew

User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

Some good scenes there... enjoyed the missing bridge and security gate :smile: . Nice bit of random bivvy siting too.

Cock Inn indeed....
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
shutuplegs
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by shutuplegs »

Thanks both. Hand on heart, I can’t say I fully recommend the pineapple Jaffa cakes, they were ‘ok’ once the brioches had run out :lol:
“We live and learn, and big mountains are stern teachers” - HW Tilman.
User avatar
Bearlegged
Posts: 2292
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by Bearlegged »

They're the work of the devil. Same goes for all the other non-orange flavours they've tried.

Doesn't stop me eating whole packets in a single sitting mind you...
User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

Strong words indeed.

Er, what are the other flavours?

It's like the 'Nesquik' question I posed a while ago - who can remember the most flavours, without looking them up....
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
shutuplegs
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by shutuplegs »

I could be making some of these up here but:
Strawberry
Cherry?!
Lemon
Lime, (Halloween?)
“We live and learn, and big mountains are stern teachers” - HW Tilman.
User avatar
Bearlegged
Posts: 2292
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by Bearlegged »

Cranberry comes out round about Christmas.
User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

Well they sound alright actually. Why should the devil get all the fun flavours eh? I mean if it had been banana (NASTY) fair enough. I'd like to try a cherry one if anyone has one and is happy to post it (in a padded jiffy bag obviously, I wouldn't want a flat one).
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
User avatar
MuddyPete
Posts: 815
Joined: Thu May 21, 2015 9:47 am
Location: Beds/Bucks border

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by MuddyPete »

shutuplegs wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 8:15 am Thanks both. Hand on heart, I can’t say I fully recommend the pineapple Jaffa cakes, they were ‘ok’ once the brioches had run out :lol:
Same with "mint chocolate orange" After Eights: sounds like perfection, but the reality is a bit :| .
May you always have tail wind.
shutuplegs
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by shutuplegs »

RIP wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 3:27 pm in a padded jiffy bag obviously
A Jaffy bag one might say...?
“We live and learn, and big mountains are stern teachers” - HW Tilman.
shutuplegs
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by shutuplegs »

I caved and googled it, lemon and lime are combined, fair enough, basically 7UP.

There’s also passion fruit. I’m not sure where I stand on that after the pineapple episode.
“We live and learn, and big mountains are stern teachers” - HW Tilman.
User avatar
Bearlegged
Posts: 2292
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by Bearlegged »

Oh gawd, I'd forgotten about the passion fruit.
Image
User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

As Bob would say, this has "gone weird" :grin: . We've gone and turned the BaM thread into the Cheery Friday thread (*) now!

(*) which I'm going to do my very damnedest not to post on today.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

Landslide wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 4:55 pm Oh gawd, I'd forgotten about the passion fruit.
Image
Now look what you've done 'Legs. You've turned Chris into a banshee or a zombie or whatever they are. Traumatised he is.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
shutuplegs
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon May 18, 2020 9:12 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by shutuplegs »

RIP wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:18 pm
Landslide wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 4:55 pm Oh gawd, I'd forgotten about the passion fruit.
Image
Now look what you've done 'Legs. You've turned Chris into a banshee or a zombie or whatever they are. Traumatised he is.
I had better keep the rumours of a banana flavour under my hat then. Thanks for the warning Reg.
“We live and learn, and big mountains are stern teachers” - HW Tilman.
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by ScotRoutes »

May BAM complete.

Bit of a weird one this. Normally I decide I'm going on a bivvy then decide where I'm going to go. This time it was the other way around. I'd discovered a new viewpoint in the area recently. It's not far from home and I'd looked at it on the OS map a few times but that showed the wee summit completely forested. After discussing it with a mate, he'd headed up for a gander and took some great photos. I've since been up twice - once on foot and once on a bike. I found a couple of potential bivvy spots to try out so with a decent break in the weather I decided last night was the time.

On my previous visits I'd worked out that the top of the hill is regularly visited so made sure I arrived late. Having said that, at this time of year it's light till after 10pm so arriving just as the sun was setting worked out fine.


Image


Image

On account of the weather forecast I'd not bothered with a tarp so after inflating the mat, rolling out the bivvy bag and stuffing the sleeping bag in I was already all set for the evening. Nothing for it than to have a beer I guess.

Image

It was very still, the noisiest thing being the constant drone of bees. I don't know what they were searching for as there is very little flowering under the tree canopy at the moment. After a while, as darkness fell and the air got a bit chiller, even they stopped and soon all I could make out was the intermittent chatter of ducks on one of the lochs below.

As it was getting chilly, I also slipped into the sleeping bag, staring up at the sky. It was around 80% cloud cover but I caught sight of a meteorite almost instantly.

Before long, I'd nodded off, waking up a couple of hours later to turn onto my side. I noticed that the clouds had been swept aside and all the stars were now out.

At 4:05, I was woken by a combination of increased daylight and a cuckoo announcing its presence.

Image

For those not familiar with the Highlands and following the HT550, it was already light enough to ride without lights. However, I was in no such hurry so turned away from the light for another nap.

By 5:45, the sun had risen over the Corbett of Meall a Bhuachille and was shining directly into my little camp spot. What's more, it was reflecting of Loch an Eilean below me so it was like getting a double dose of radiation. That was it then, time for breakfast. Stove on for coffee accompanied by porridge bars.

Image

Still aware that I wanted to be away before anyone got up, I decided to stretch my time a little. As I'd sat there, the day had sort of woken up. Noises were returning; the bees were busy again, the chirruping of wee birds, the song of a blackbird and more of those bloody ducks. Lots of gentle, soft noises. Then there was this harsh, scraping noise right behind me. I turned around to see a red squirrel run up a tree about 3 metres away. I could hear his claws digging into the tree bark and a little squeaking noise from his mouth as he ran up. The cuckoo turned up again too, so close I could hear it breathing in between each Coo-Koo sound.

Still in my bag, I lay back for another spell of quiet contemplation. So many of my bivvys are in places much more "spectacular" than this and yet they are often quite dead to the human eye and ear. This place was absolutely alive and I was just enjoying listening to it all.

Image

Eventually though, I thought I'd best make a move. I didn't want to be hogging the viewpoint if other folk arrived. Not having much with me it didn't take long to pack up and I detoured back via Loch Gamhna and Loch an Eilean trying, unsuccessfully, to get a look back at my camp spot.


Image


That one was definitely very good for the soul.

5/5 and 54th consecutive.
User avatar
fatbikephil
Posts: 6511
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:51 pm
Location: Fife
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by fatbikephil »

Nice one Colin, what a great spot. I believe there have been sightings of wild moggies in that area
ScotRoutes
Posts: 8144
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:56 am

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by ScotRoutes »

It is at the top of Creag a' Chait :lol:

I'm going to wander up to the crags on foot at some point. Couldn't see any sign of a path up from the loch so it'll be bushwhacking.
User avatar
Bearlegged
Posts: 2292
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:00 pm

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by Bearlegged »

Perfect. :-bd
redefined_cycles
Posts: 9282
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:19 am
Location: Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by redefined_cycles »

May BAM in progress. With Luke Lune Ranger.

Tis been lovely and wr even had a raging river crossing.
Pics to come... 5 of 12 done (doing)...
User avatar
Charliecres
Posts: 1453
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by Charliecres »

This place was absolutely alive and I was just enjoying listening to it all.
:-bd
User avatar
benp1
Posts: 4051
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:36 pm
Location: South Downs

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by benp1 »

I like those sort of bivvys. I often pack up my kit and sit there just enjoying the moment. Then no risk of grief if other visitors turn up
User avatar
sean_iow
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:08 pm
Location: Isle of Wight

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by sean_iow »

Realising I've got a lot of busy weekends coming up I decided on a school-night bivi to make sure I ticked off May. On a run last week I'd used a new bit of single track that cuts along the boundary of some woods. As there is no car parking near it (busy main road) I knew it would probably only be used by mtb's passing through. There are also no other main paths into this bit if the woods so it looked ideal for a bivi.

Headed out after dinner, up over the downs, and was soon there. I'd passed another likely looking woods on the way but there have been fly-tipping issues and it says there's cctv so I might leave that one.

It was dry but the forecast was for rain between 23:00 and 07:00 so I took the micro-tarp and waterproof bivi (packed the right one this time) and was there in well under an hour. Turned off the narrow path onto an even less used one and then off that into the fir trees. I was tucked up in bed in no time.

Image

The rain did eventually arrive but I'd managed to get the tarp on the right side so stayed dry. My watch says I had 4 hours of deep sleep (out of the 7) which is an hour more than at home. I did wake at 4:30 when it was getting light and the birds had got up but soon drifted off again. My view in the morning

Image

Two things of note, my chain is as slack as it looks, it's not an optical illusion, and what has happened to the bark on that fallen tree? As I had to get to work I couldn't lay there there pondering what had happened to the bark, although it was clearly playing on Ralph's mind

Image

I had to get on, so got up and back into the cycling kit. The rain meant I'd be packing up wet kit, no time to wait for the rain to stop :roll:

Image

The tarp had gone a bit slack overnight once it got wet but luckily there was no wind. I'd not brought a stove so breakfast would be ITT style, I'd had similar on the HT550 from the garage in Ullapool

Image

It was actually quite tasty and I'd be in work soon enough for coffee and breakfast 2. As I ate it I wandered off to check out my surroundings, something had caught my eye

Image

Upon closer inspection

Image

Which solves the mystery of the missing bark. I also picked up their rubbish for them

Image

But as this was the only bit and there were no fire pits I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they didn't know they'd dropped it. It's quite a good spot, only about 200m from the road but the cars were barley discernible. Next time I'll bring the camo deschutes and the stove and go on the weekend so I have more time in the morning. Packed up and on my way I was at work for 07:20 which gave plenty of time to hang the tarp and bivi bag in the bike shed to dry and hang the sleeping bag and mat in my room to air :grin:

5/12 this year.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
User avatar
RIP
Posts: 9007
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:24 pm
Location: Surfing The Shores Of Sanity Since 1959
Contact:

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by RIP »

Very nice. Mmm I'd wondered about the bark too before you mentioned it. Giant beaver maybe? Erm. Reckon there's some scope for a tarp made out of bark?
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP

The sign outside the asylum is the wrong way round.....

"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
User avatar
sean_iow
Posts: 4269
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:08 pm
Location: Isle of Wight

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by sean_iow »

I was pleased to see it was harvested from already fallen trees and not the live ones. In the light I could see there were quite a few leaning trees about, luckily I'd not pitched under any of them.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
redefined_cycles
Posts: 9282
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:19 am
Location: Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

Re: Bivvy a Month 2021

Post by redefined_cycles »

May BAM done and my first multi nighter. Pics can be seen here and thanks to Luke for organising it...

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19895

I did say before that 5 of 12 in progress...

But now, 5 of 12 done. Just 7 months left. Surely it can't be that hard right!
Post Reply