Bivvy a Month 2024

[Bearlegged]

* Is cricked a national expression for a stiff/sore neck or is this another Isle of Wight expression?

Definitely universal, it's even made it into Disney films:

[sean_iow]

I've only heard it locally, thought I should check as sometimes wonder if some of my language is a bit 'local'

For example 'I saw a gert mallyshag on my ride' = large caterpillar.

[Verena]

For example 'I saw a gert mallyshag on my ride' = large caterpillar.

Yep that one would've had me lost for words on how to reply

[Verena]

you picking the venue from your book. Hmmm?

Tables nicely turned
.
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Everybody else scroll down, but for Lu:

Real Ale Wobble in Llanwrtyd Wells (November) (there you go!)


and many more

Oooh! Is that a hint/suggestion? But £25? Nah, that’s not too much. And I can get there on the train. It’s not really a traditional silly sport, but even so?

I think Verena's done this a few years back, so if it’s still going, it’s become a tradition - maybe? Anyway, it sounds like fun so I think I’ll give it a go - just need to book time off work.

Let me know if you're definitely going, and I'll rejoin the tradition with you - when is it again? ( She asks, lazily...)

[RIP]

Would love to indulge but over there in Oct and Dec already . 2025 though, hmm.....

[frogatthefarriers]

Let me know if you're definitely going, and I'll rejoin the tradition with you - when is it again? ( She asks, lazily...)

I’m down to be on nights that weekend - 16th November - but it’s still do-able if I can get the time off. Won’t know until tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[Raggedstone]

I got my September bivvy done the Thursday before last . Due to an unexpected new lump in the groin region I had to stay local so went to a great spot just up the hills even this involved me having to push it was the last of the warm nights unfortunately the moon was covered by cloud as soon as I left home . Had a very good night's sleep despite being less than 2 miles from home I made coffee and porridge before the cruise back.
PXL_20240920_053502045 by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr


9/12 for 24

[Boab]

After my aborted ride a few weeks ago, this was a just get it done effort. 7KM to a point where I though I might be able to chuck the tent up, as it was I had to drop down alongside a field, as the spot I'd been thinking about was a bit too as risk of being disturbed.



There was a small period of time where I could hear pounding techno beats, or at least a disco of sorts. Took me a minute to realise it was probably a do at Chilford Hall, the the noise being carried on the breeze. A restless night was had, with lots of tossing and turning, the feet were just about OK, but defo buying some booties next month (along with a more insulated mat); might also buy a thickerer base layer to use as PJ's too.



The ground was heavy with dew, and the inside of the tent dripping in condensation, the sunrise was nice though. My fingers were fine till I set off, and I couldn't feel them by the time I hit the road and turned for home. Should've taken my even bigger winter gloves...

Here's a YouTube shorts playlist of the aborted ride and a single update from this morning.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12528746302
2024: 9 / 12
Total: 47
Streak: 9

[Blackhound]

One of the irregular (CTC) Thursday riders I get out with said he was going out on the Hebridean Way this month and I asked at short notice if I could tag along. It was an area I wanted to visit but also I am collecting British Cycle Quest (BCQ) clues and there were six to be had out there. Also a possibility of getting two or three more BCQ's at either end. He had already booked his travel so I just planned to do the same. My routing only gave me a 12 minute change over at Crewe which was tight to meet him and change trains in Glasgow. I ended up going to Carlisle the day ahead and heading out to Brampton to collect a bonus BCQ. We were on the same train from Carlisle to Glasgow and on to Oban and then we caught an afternoon ferry the following day to Castletown, Barra. Over five days we made our way along the route staying in a hostel, wild camp, camping pod and regular campsite before a hostel in Stornoway as we had a 0700 ferry the following day. It is a fabulous route. Tip: not a lot open on Harris or Lewis on a Sunday, we did find a cafe and a pub though.

The wild camp night on South Uist was above some dunes with what would have had a fabulous view but for some mist, the ferries off Benbecula had not run that day or the day before. We nattered for a bit over a dehydrated meal and I had a hot chocolate before we had an early night. We were only 8km from the ferry so had a short ride the next morning. On the beach below us we saw a number of 'vans and in the morning 5 or 6 photographers were up before us setting up camera equipment above us to capture the sunrise.

Two nights later was the wildest night I have ever spent in a tent. We were planning on finishing and then wild-camping. The guy I was riding with was a novice bike camper but besides doing a load of audaxes (including Paris- Brest-Paris last year, climbed all the Munro's and hiked the Cape Wrath trail was nervous about putting his tent up in the forecast evening rain. About 10 miles from the end we turned back to a site a few miles behind us. I decided to stop and go the next day but my friend did head up to the Butt of Lewis and back in lovely weather. Overnight the wind blew, 40mph according to the forecast, and some rain. My tent didn't stand it and I headed into a kitchen area about midnight. The next morning one tent cable had left the tent, the poles sank 3-4cm into the ground and all my kit was soaked. I could not get my kit dry in the drier so found enough dry clobber to get a wind assisted ride to Stornoway and a hostel with a drier via a final BCQ.

I got my six BCQ's I was aiming for plus two bonus ones (required a trip to Culloden battlefield) and hopped on the sleeper train from Inverness to London and then back home. (I am ex railway employee and this was the easiest way to go home, cheaper than a hotel in Inverness for me)

9/12, run of 33 months

Pics here, you can see the wildcamp spot above the dunes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAapqrQuxuh/?img_index=5

[Verena]

Let me know if you're definitely going, and I'll rejoin the tradition with you - when is it again? ( She asks, lazily...)

I’m down to be on nights that weekend - 16th November - but it’s still do-able if I can get the time off. Won’t know until tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Ah, I'm double booked, for doing the Moonrakers Audax again...shame.

[summittoppler]

As per usual, I left it till the last weekend yet again!

A great pitch over looking the Watkin path as it claws it's way up the 'big hill' (Snowdon).
Some pics and a short film too...









Film:
https://youtu.be/yyy9kvHvZEU?si=ONru-g6JdV3VMIsz

[sean_iow]

That's an epic spot

I'm always impressed how it looks like there's not much on the bike yet somehow you've got a tent, a chair and enough kit to cook real food

[summittoppler]

That's an epic spot

I'm always impressed how it looks like there's not much on the bike yet somehow you've got a tent, a chair and enough kit to cook real food

...and a drone, beer & wine!
If you watch the video, you'll see I have got the faithful BB draw cord bag with said items

[sean_iow]

Even the draw cord bag didn't look very big

That sunset was spectacular!

[vegancheese]

BAM September 2024

Just reminding ourselves what 'short-distance/nice-camp' is before next week's BB

With the Polisherman's, just off the Pennine Way on Blackstone Edge. Overlooking the M62 summit, Yorkshire or Manchester depending on which way you were looking.

The trusty red 'thong' tarp came into its own with the heavy dew. Held it in place with rocks that actually did not fall on my head during the night. Quite cold at about 460m.
IMG20240928210001

Cracking sunrise from the Huddersfield direction
IMG20240929070442

And here are the Polishermanses looking resplendent in their natural environment. And 'Slack Alice', the slackest bikebacking bicycle on the moors.
IMG20240929083637 dear_jim

[dorsetshirelad]

September Bivvy

I cycled to Hengistbury Head and then along the promenade, passing Bournemouth Pier out to Sandbanks. Catching the chain ferry to Studland I crossed the heath land and out to Old Harry Rocks, my destination for the night. There was a brief dry spell forecast before the next storm was due to come in at lunchtime the following day. However, there was considerable rain forecast during the night. I hoped that this wouldn't be too much of a problem. It turned out to be quite a deluge and the sound of the heavy rain on my tarp kept me awake during the early hours.
Surprisingly I managed to keep completely dry.
Anyhow, before that, I had a supper to prepare and cook. I was cooking sausage leek and pasta in a Creme Fraiche and Dijon mustard sauce. It only required a basic trangia cook set, and so I was able to travel surprisingly lightly for me. Making my to the way in the woodland setback from the cliff it was warm and cosy with not a breath of wind. The cooking went well, and the end result was a delicious platter that I washed down with a rather nice Merlot, that I bought from the local stores in Studland. Nevertheless, it's surprising how long it takes to cook a meal from scratch and by the time I had finished and washed up, it was time to set up my hammock. I had brought crackers and cheese with me to have with a small glass of port. To be honest, I was completely stuffed and happy to get into my bivvy and drift off to an audiobook. The heavy rain arrived about 1:30 am and of course being under the trees you catch a double dose, once from the rain itself and then again from all the drops that come from the leaves, so you never really know when it's actually stopped raining. I was up early the next morning and although it was very damp, with plenty of slugs out; the rainfall has ended. I cooked my customary bacon and egg, which I enjoyed in a couple of baps that I'd also got from the local store. Packing up, I was on the trail by 8:30 am and home by about 11. The precipitation started a couple of hours later, so I felt smug that I'd managed to fit in my September Bivi in the relative dry.

Video: https://youtu.be/LLvKSQvKsCM

[RIP]

You should apply for Masterchef 'Bikepacking Edition', DL . Always fun to read about your gourmet culinary contortions. I presume you passed the port to yourself leftwards?

How about going the whole hog (not hog roast, you'd never carry it) and take candelabra, crisp white tablecloth, napkin in a ring, silver cutlery, bone china, etc?

Compliments on taking the rain on as well. Always adds to the fun and you could leave your washing-up out in it.

[dorsetshirelad]

How about going the whole hog (not hog roast, you'd never carry it) and take candelabra, crisp white tablecloth, napkin in a ring, silver cutlery, bone china, etc?

I'll need porters but it's worth considering. I'm almost there with the tablecloth, not DAZ white though.

[Blackhound]

A fine feast dorsetshirelad, although I wouldn’t be drinking any ‘kin merlot*

* A quote from the film ‘Sideways‘ for the less cultured around here.

[Mrs Polisherman]

September's BAM was a last minute affair but luckily the weather gods smiled down on us. With company this time - Vegancheese, Polisherman and Lentilshepherd all decided it was a good idea too - we set off late from home with the aim of bedding down at Polisherman's favourite stone shelter on the the way across to Blackstone Edge.

The venue proved to be an excellent spot with ample choice of dry flat sleeping ground and magnificent views across to the M62 - who needs fairy lights?

Photo donated by Polisherman.
We "cooked" and ate some "food" - rehydrated noodles - (sorry Dorsetshirelad ), the boys drank some beer and whiskey and we soon retired to bed lulled to sleep by the gentle roar of M62 traffic and Polisherman's snoring.

It was a very cold, dewy night and my feet remained frozen despite woollen socks and my warmer sleeping bag - down boots will have to be my next purchase; any recommendations welcome. The beautiful sunrise made up for it all though.

Photo donated by Polisherman.

[RIP]

Cracking sunrise from the Huddersfield direction

Even Huddersfield can look quite fetching in the right light

[NeilA]

BAM 18 Aug... 8 of 8, 32 of 32

My old mucker Dave joined me for the night on his cycle down to Appledore.
Assembled at mine we headed for the Brewers Arms, West Malvern, and had a darned good catch up and beers.
An attempt to wild camp within the pub grounds was declined by the bar staff .
Off we go up on the hills to find a secret spot, in amongst a plethora of tracks.
Difficult to find, its a depression surrounded by a bank with dense foliage.
I now know the marker which lets one through the door so to speak. A perfect refuge when high winds batter the slopes.
Dave used his Alpkit Elan for the first time. Impressed me with its similarity to my Vaude 1P Bivi. Tough call which is best.
Following a good night we cycled down to Malvern for coffees and Dave went on his way to the Gloucester Canal and the saltmarsh around its confluence with the Severn. Must try this area, sounds ideal for a camp.
Reports to come: WRT/BAM, September BAM

[JimmyG]

Currently in France, having cycled from Roscoff to my sister’s place in Carcassonne. Starting on 14th September and travelling off-road where possible (courtesy of Komoot route planner), I covered 868 miles in 16 days. This included two days off the bike due to heavy rain. Other than those days, though, the weather has been very kind indeed. The mosquitoes less so, I must add! I wild camped 12 nights during the journey but can’t upload any photographic evidence right now. I will do when I finally get home but there’s no firm timeframe on that yet.

[NeilA]

BAM 30 Sept... 9 of 9, 33 of 33

Not much to say, even by own moderate recent attempts!!
Twonged my good knee last month and now has several points of pain.
So it was a local short one, but still with the love.
Set up under my Kloke, but started raining so hastily connected the Alpkit 3.5 tarp.
Reasonable nights sleep, one large animal came close by, probably a deer, and a resident up the road was driving around at 4.
Deep sleep usually arrives at the stealth thresh over time so I broke camp reluctantly.
Some good news. To avoid the pain I have not really cycled in a long time. Today the knee has settled, which encourages me enough to get on the bike, little but often.
Hoping for something more meaningful in Oct!!

[RIP]

From the background, looks like a playground. They're one of my standbys, along with graveyards, since they're nearly always flat and have things to hide behind/inside. Curiously never been "challenged" but I can always flash my Enhanced DBS and say I was checking out sites suitable for a school bivvy . Glad the knee's perked up a bit.