Just wondering whether anyone over in Englandshire would be throwing their hat in the ring and arranging a winter bivi/bothy/hammock gala on the weekend of Dec 8th/9th to coincide with the Celtic versions?

I'll be participating in a 'Winter bivi/bothy/hammock gala 2012 (France)' on those dates out of solidarity for my British compatriots.

Although.....as it'll just be me I think that the use of the word 'gala' might be a stretch.

Some of us Englandshire-ers are planning to be at the Scotlandshire one!

I'd be up for one if it's on the North/South Downs.

gairym wrote:Although.....as it'll just be me I think that the use of the word 'gala' might be a stretch.

I bet Yann would be up for that if you contacted him?

I'm thinking about attending the Scotland one but am shocking at planning and commitment

Tbh driving to Jockland is slightly nonsensical when the Dales, Lakes, Peaks and Howgills are all an hour or two closer. Heck, I've dossed in the bus shelter on top of Kielder before now. Not that I'd exactly recommend it mind. Pub at the trail head was passable mind 8-)

Ian,

Ian wrote:I bet Yann would be up for that if you contacted him?

Yeah, not a bad idea.

I've been talking with Yann about us working together to design/build me a fat-bike and so maybe I could combine this trip with a visit to his workshop to get things started :D

Englander planning on attending the Welsh Gala here. Welsh hills are closer to me than English ones! I just don't think it'd be the same camped on top of the Chilterns overlooking Reading

MarkEnduro, Martin and myself have been out on this weekend the last 2 years starting from Derby and heading North towards the Peak. Nothing planned as yet but I may try and sort out a more interesting route to what we have done (maybe train to Matlock to get us started). Snow slowed us 2 years ago though.

Anybody perhaps fancy a start where you like with a common meeting point in White or Dark Peak??

Peak sounds good. Havent ridden anything further south than Hope, so would be good to explore. Easy on Bivi spots, so might either start with you in Matlock, or ride down from Sheffield, depending on who else might me interested.

OK chew, will have a word with the others. Mark is away for a couple of weeks though. We once bivvied by Ladybower and wondered about a spot near bottom of Cutgate. Sheffield is an alternate start to ride out of city.

I'd be up for this. Only live a few miles from Mark, and would like to do some more riding in the Peak so count me in, dates depending.

Another splitter.

Another splitter.

It just means more fairy lights and christmas pudding for everyone

Chris, will post something in due course.

Kevin, theres a good spot at the bottom of cut gate which we used earlier in the year.

Quite fancy going somewhere new, and Sheffield/Matlock makes no difference to me as i'd be comming down from Leeds anyway. It was more an idea people wanted to start at different points and we could meet somewhere more central.

Peaks not somewhere i usually ride so a bit stumped for ideas.

I'd be very interested and peaks would be perfect :)

Would also be interested in the peak district.
Martyn

Hi Matthew,

A few years since I did Cutgate but recall it looking a possibility, also where the tarmac ends coming from Ladybower - which is pretty close.

We camped a bit further south next to the res in spring 2011 so had a lot more light to ride further from Derby / Etwall.

Still done nothing....

Kevin,

Theres a great spot at the bottom of Cut Gate in the trees on the west side of Howden Reservoir. Me and Miss Wench stayed there earlier in the year.

Plenty of cover, water and spots for a camp fire



If thats not too far for you guys (seems a long way from Derby) we could go there?

And very good it was too! But I think it is a way off from Derby, I will get my maps out and have a look but was thinking it might work better if we got a train out from Sheffield and tried to get a bit further into the peak? I wonder if it is feasible to get the train to edale and then head to the pennine bridalway - then could meet those coming up the other way - time to look at maps I think.

Hopefully get a chance to discuss on the BB200 - preferably at through start before I go off riding bikes and hating hills and mud

A train from Derby to Sheffield if booked now is £5 and from there it is ~20 miles to where Chew has suggested at foot of Cutgate. Sheffield to Dore or Edale is about £2-6 extra, less miles to ride though.

Last 2 years we have had a pub meal rather than cooking if people are up for that. Pub in Bamford I have used before and another near South end of Ladybower which I have not used.

~30 miles back to Matlock, or various options onto Edale train line.

Looks like a plan is forming. Maybe catch up at BB200.

Just to say Mark & Martin are also up for something in the Peak from Sheffield area on 8/9 December. WIll have a chat with the BB200 peeps all being well weekend after next.

Sounds like a plan brewing Kevin. We can just follow the route we did back in May. Starts from Sheffield, takes in a pub, and onto the bivi spot above. Not to far from Sheffield for anyone who wants a short trip and easy accessible from other parts of the Peak for different starting options.

Catch up next weekend

Hi Kev. Room for one more?

I might defect from the Welsh to the English event now it sounds like there's a plan; easier for me to leave the boss with the in-laws in Burton whilst I go out and play.

I'll be at the BB200 if there's to be a planning meet?