Bivvy a Month 2024

[RIP]

Another Reg-tastic selection of venues here...

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024 ... -histories

Excellent. Even Reg might draw the line at Slough though. Having said that, Stoke-on-Trent has already been earmarked for March's extravaganza. And gigpacking will be back on the menu too .

[RIP]

Sadly their supply shed didn't survive storm Isha.

Blimey. That's a shocking sight for us shed bivviers. Poor thing. Looks like the flat-packing procedure has been reenacted.

I'm going to have to go and have a soothing pot of tea and a biscuit and a sit down after that traumatic sight.

[MuddyPete]

...and here too, from Alistair Humphreys.

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024 ... cal-os-map

Reminds me of the "Doorstep Adventure" article in Singletrack issue 27 . Inspiring stuff!
And not a mention of "micro-adventures", either .

[Boab]

Apart from the frequently fascinating reports from our esteemed brother Bob Boab it seems that Boners usually head for the hills and mountains.

My spot in the woods last week was only 32m above OS Datum, even BOAB should be able to manage higher than that

Planned bivvy site for Saturday is at 100m ASL, which is lower than the house, but not by much. My favoured fen based area is pretty much 0 ASL.

Speaking of the fens... If anyone fancies a guided tour of some of the worst riding the fens have to offer, then feel free to get in touch.

[RIP]

a guided tour of some of the worst riding the fens have to offer

What a salesman

[Boab]

It's not fun, unless it's Type 2 fun...

[fatbikephil]

January.... (it felt like March)
Bit of a bog standard bivvy (BSB?) but it is January after all. It was a case of dodge the storms so I felt quite pleased to see the forecast was for a dry night, albeit still quite breezy. A lowland spot was favoured and Devilla forest would fit the bill as I know a couple of sheltered spots. I went with one under a large pine tree and just downwind of a belt of young sitka which would be less likely to land on my head, given the wind. Tarp up, in, fire up soto blast furnace and reheat ex army bag of beef chilli (don't ask). The soto has been playing up, nearly burning my shed to the ground when I was heating up chain wax the other day. I'd swapped the seals and given it a good clean so was pleased that I avoided burning the entire forest to the ground.

Relaxation followed. Annoyingly there was a bit of rain about and my sheltered spot meant it was floating in under the tarp as the wind swirled around (cue lots of sniggering from the tent brigade) So I dropped it down a bit for more shelter - versatile, see!

Like so....



Annoyingly I discovered that one of the mid panel ties had ripped the tarp when I'd been re-tensioning it, so just as well the rain didn't come to much. Not sure how I'm going to repair it to be honest - I might have to send it off to a specialist.

Any road, my sleep was somewhat interrupted thanks to the wind so I had a leisurely start then pedaled for a few hours round various trails above Dollar, after a fine lunch courtesy of Stevens bakers.



Still breezy but incredibly mild. I think I could have used the 150 quilt it was that warm.... The frost of last week had come out of the ground meaning some of the trails were glue-like, but apart from that, things were remarkably dry given how much water has hit the ground in the last 6 days...

Feb next and the Alt Winter Event.

[dorsetshirelad]

After a long posting absence I’m hoping to at least manage one a month, as long as I get out on my monthly quota of bivvies.
This was a short loop from Corfe Castle to Old Harry along the Purbeck hills with a hammock camp in the woods.
I was joined by my cousin who needed a switch off from home for a few hours. He cooked himself a tasty steak for supper while I over ambitiously and less successfully tried my hand at a homemade steak and kidney pudding. I blamed the wrong gas on the coldest night of the year so far.
We retired to our hammocks by 7:30 to escape the chill and spend a cosy night under clear skies and a bright moon.
We were up to catch a frosty sunrise and after a leisurely breakfast of sausage ,egg and bacon wraps we packed up and cycled back through Arne failing to get spotted by the Winter Watch team.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... ew&id=3454

[Boab]

FFS! Got the Scandal out the shed this aft6ernoon, so I could get it ready in the daylight for this evenings adventure. Just been out to get it out and head off, only to find the rear tyres flat...

[Boab]

Pumped the rear tyre up way passed what it normally runs at, left it half an hour, or so, checked it was still inflated, then headed out. Went to the village pocket park, which is less than a mile from the house. Less cover than I was expecting, but then it's mostly deciduous trees. I realised when I got into the tent, that I'd forgotten the eye mask I'd saved when my daughter threw it out. The moon was way too bright, to the point where I didn't need a torch to put the tent up, or see what I was doing inside it.



I took my Exped DownMat as it was going to be low single digits, but I really wasn't that warm. I'm not sure the down is properly distributed in the mat, as it felt like there were cold spot on my back and it was warmer to sleep on my side. The up shot of that was waking up repeatedly with sore shoulders and having to shuffle around. The Vesper quilt really works better with the NeoAir, especially when using the straps. My feet were really cold, so I put on my big winter Sealskins over the big socks I was already wearing, this didn't really improve matters.



I didn't set an alarm, but was checking my phone semi-regularly from around 04:00; I eventually got dressed around 07:00. By the time everything was packed away and strapped to the bike, I couldn't feel my fingers, or my toes. The rear tyre was mostly deflated, so I slowly cycled back to the house. I've had some coffee and some breakfast6, and I about to head out on the other bike for a proper ride. I shall mull options for keeping warmer while bivving while I ride.

This was the complete opposite of Johnallan's marathon ride earlier this month - Distance: 2.86 km; Riding time: 10m 41s

https://www.strava.com/activities/10644240743
2024: 1 / 12
Total: 39
Streak: 1

[sean_iow]

My feet were really cold, so I put on my big winter Sealskins over the big socks I was already wearing, this didn't really improve matters.

I've been trying to think what my favourite bit of kit for camping is for the other thread and you've helped me choose. I'd say it's my down sleeping socks/boots. I use them over a fresh dry pair of merino socks and cold feet are no longer an issue. Having dedicated socks just for sleeping is also key, even if you think your socks are dry if you've ridden in them they'll be damp from sweating and will make your feet cold.

https://cumulus.equipment/uk_en/down-ac ... boots.html

[fatbikephil]

All good, any more for any more? Liking the photomontage Dorsetshirelad - note to others - photos please!
Boab, how can it be single figures in Norfolk and double figures in Scotland - I was overheating in my Vesper quilt on Friday night, and on todays ride, it felt like it was a fine March day....
Bloody climate change!

[Boab]

My feet were really cold, so I put on my big winter Sealskins over the big socks I was already wearing, this didn't really improve matters.

I've been trying to think what my favourite bit of kit for camping is for the other thread and you've helped me choose. I'd say it's my down sleeping socks/boots. I use them over a fresh dry pair of merino socks and cold feet are no longer an issue. Having dedicated socks just for sleeping is also key, even if you think your socks are dry if you've ridden in them they'll be damp from sweating and will make your feet cold.

https://cumulus.equipment/uk_en/down-ac ... boots.html

I always take a nice dry pair of socks to sleep in, plus I'd only been wearing the riding ones for five minutes, with inner socks. I did think, as I was lying there shivvering, that I should really buy some down booties / socks for exactly this purpose.

All good, any more for any more? Liking the photomontage Dorsetshirelad - note to others - photos please!
Boab, how can it be single figures in Norfolk and double figures in Scotland - I was overheating in my Vesper quilt on Friday night, and on todays ride, it felt like it was a fine March day....
Bloody climate change!

3°C / 4°C last night, supposed to be 10°C tonight... If the Vesper 20 UL wasn't so chuffing expensive, I'd buy one in a flash, my old RAB Atlas 800 is just too big and heavy..

[fatbikephil]

19.6 degrees in Kinlochewe yesterday, thanks to a foehn effect - a new UK January record. And to think it was -6 this time last year on my Jan bivvy....

[redefined_cycles]

All good, any more for any more?

I'm still trying to hang in there Phil. Was supposed to go out this morn but chickened out. Got a nice route made up to the Forest of Something just past Burnley. Even managed to check on Geograph and the pics of the off road/track seems plausible for road bike riding

Lets see... Still got just over 48H left!!

[vegancheese]

Late entry...inspired by my FOMO of neighbour and local legend Mrs Polisherman.

Day at work Saturday, then 10k ride to a local elevated quarry containing the "Snow" Stanza Stone by Simon Armitage (Pule Hill, Marsden, West Yorkshire).
No rain but I shivered like a whippet. Need more than 6 layers next time. Hmmmm... not sure the red tarp (MSR footprint) works with cammo. Commute back home first thing. Then off to join Mr and Mrs Polisherman and another Boner on a Peaks MTB ride. Top weekend!
IMG20240127221051 by dear_jim, on Flickr
IMG20240127215118 by dear_jim, on Flickr

[Polisherman]

^^^^^ You and the Mrs put me to shame VeganCheese!

[fatbikephil]

Good bit of tarp minimalism there Vegancheese
Come on Shaff, two nights still available for January!

[RIP]

Good bit of tarp minimalism there Vegancheese

Aye, bonus point. Although at first glance I thought it was an innovative use of a towel, what with the colour .

[Polisherman]

Good bit of tarp minimalism there Vegancheese

Aye, bonus point. Although at first glance I thought it was an innovative use of a towel, what with the colour .

That's his best effort yet!

[Stinginglip]

Late entry...inspired by my FOMO of neighbour and local legend Mrs Polisherman.

Day at work Saturday, then 10k ride to a local elevated quarry containing the "Snow" Stanza Stone by Simon Armitage (Pule Hill, Marsden, West Yorkshire).
No rain but I shivered like a whippet. Need more than 6 layers next time. Hmmmm... not sure the red tarp (MSR footprint) works with cammo. Commute back home first thing. Then off to join Mr and Mrs Polisherman and another Boner on a Peaks MTB ride. Top weekend!
IMG20240127221051 by dear_jim, on Flickr
IMG20240127215118 by dear_jim, on Flickr

No wonder tarps are losing ground on tents

[vegancheese]

Stay tuned for more amusing tarp configs. Next month the 'Thong'

[RIP]

Now you're talking! Sounds like a new competition. A bit like when kids party entertainers ask what animal/vegetable/rude shape you'd like them to make with those squeaky modelling balloon things.

Squeak!

Actually wouldn't the 'Thong' have to be made out of lace? Possibly even less practical tarp material than towelling. Then again, sod it, what's the worse that could happen eh?

[fatbikephil]

Stay tuned for more amusing tarp configs. Next month the 'Thong'

[BridlewayBimbler]

Maiden bivy ticked off. Nothing spectacular-just a shortish loop to my local nature reserve. Quite enjoyable though-incredibly loud foxes notwithstanding!
Apologies for crap pics as I have a new phone and am still getting used to it!
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