Dark winter nights question

Warb01 · Post by **Warb01** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:26 pm

Hiya. like an idiot I have waited until winter to start with bikepacking.

I am looking at making the first trip in the lakes, have plotted a route from cockermouth, BUT... it's going dark at 4pm isn't it, and if I am setting up campe before it gets dark, well 4pm until bedtime is a long time to stay warm.

How do you do it? Do you keep going into the night? Or just wrap up?

Or should I wait until spring?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:34 pm

Why are you planning to set up camp before dark? Just ride into the night and set up later?

ScotRoutes · Post by **ScotRoutes** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:34 pm

I often set off after sunset. It otherwise makes for a very long night, especially as pubs are currently out-of-bounds.

Borderer · Post by **Borderer** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:40 pm

Have your dinner and then go. That way when you reach your camp spot you can get straight into your sleeping bag and not cool down too much hanging about outside.

woodsmith · Post by **woodsmith** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:54 pm

I've found that it's a lot more difficult to find camp spots in the dark and its not too stealthy doing so and then setting uo camp with a bright flashlight. I prefer to set up camp at dusk for this reason.

In reply to OP. Make sure your bag / extra layers are up to the expected temperatures and enjoy the evening to listen to music, read a book, watch Netflix completley undisturbed.

I regularly cook in the vestibule of the tent while laying in bed.
Eating high fat foods before sleeping supposedly keeps you warmer at night.

Warb01 · Post by **Warb01** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:59 pm

Thanks for the input. Useful to know other peoples approaches.

Really appreciate the feedback.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:13 pm

Thinking about it, unless I've got a specific destination in mind, then even in summer I'll rarely pitch up before dusk. I don't recall ever thinking that pitching before dark would in any way be a benefit.

I honestly believe that it's worth having a practice pitching your shelter in the dark or even blindfolded. I can't see why it should be anymore difficult to find a suitable spot at night and besides, the best spot will always be the one you ride past next morning.

Borderer · Post by **Borderer** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:39 pm

Yes it's true - I like to have scouted a suitable bivvy spot in daylight before heading out to it at night. We use very low light headtorches to set up in the dark as these don't attract attention.

Escape Goat · Post by **Escape Goat** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:49 pm

I've always wanted to pitch in the light as I could relax and watch the sun go down. It very rarely happens and I now own an exposure 6 pack....

Lazarus · Post by **Lazarus** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 5:25 pm

I have never pitched before dark in winter and never really struggled to find a spot [ A stealth is not much bigger than a bivvy mind}

I really dont see the appeal of sitting in a tent using technology to pass the time - but that is the beauty of bikepacking - its whatever you want it to be
I also use a low light head torch but my approach has always been if i cannot see any house lights then no one can see me

Secondly what are the chances of someone seeing a random light somewhere on the side of a hll/mountain etc and deciding to invetigate in the dark and cold?

voodoo_simon · Post by **voodoo_simon** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:05 pm

Lazarus wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 5:25 pm Secondly what are the chances of someone seeing a random light somewhere on the side of a hll/mountain etc and deciding to invetigate in the dark and cold?

Only the crazies would venture out to see a light...

I’ve done both and I’m happier with the approach of setting up at dark, haven’t necessarily been riding during the dark period but have been sat somewhere with beer

Nicest time I setup in the light was on Anglesey watching the sun go down over the Irish Sea. Was on the tip of the north west cost, so no one disturbed me.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:19 pm

Secondly what are the chances of someone seeing a random light somewhere on the side of a hll/mountain etc and deciding to invetigate in the dark and cold?

Ahh you say that but on the winter bivvy a few years ago a farmer drove his tractor into the hills at midnight in the snow and the cold to see what the strange lights were crossing the mountain (which was a long way from the farm)

However, it did lead to the very amusing 'high, I'm Mike, Mike from Bromsgrove' scene from Carry on Bikepacking.

ScotRoutes · Post by **ScotRoutes** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:21 pm

In summer here, there's not much option other then to pitch before dark.

Dusk is quite a also quite a nice time to be settled in, watching the wildlife, the sunset and the appearance of the stars. But, as mentioned above winter nights are very, very long.

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 6:59 pm

Probably longer for you than most Colin

fatbikephil · Post by **fatbikephil** » Sat Oct 31, 2020 7:39 pm

Done both. Had a couple of bivvies this and last month where I've stopped early and quite enjoyed sitting under the tarp relaxing with a good book, food and a whisky or three.

If its your first time then scoping a spot out in daylight first is definitely a good idea. Leaving the house on a dark, wet and windy saturday night, heading for a good spot, when everybody else is tucked up in front of a warm TV screen is a good thing

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