Bivvy a Month 2024

[Blackhound]

I got out last night for my February bam. Weather has not been good and although we had a nice spell in the middle of the month I caught a cold. With more rain in the forecast but likely dry yesterday afternoon I set off south to stay in a bird hide I have stayed in a couple of times previously. The car park some distance away closes at 5pm and I got there via a bridleway about 5.30. Spent a bit of time watching swans on the small lake and then settled down to a dehydrated meal, tea, an orange, dark chocolate coated brazil nuts and cranberries while reading and listening to my ipod. Very relaxing. It was also cold despite being inside. I have been cold here before and remembered to bring my down booties and my feet stayed warm.

I struggled to sleep as usual and was still awake at 0130 but eventually nodded off until 0630. It was already starting to get light so I got up starting packing and then had porridge and coffee before finishing packing. Heading back to Ashby for breakfast I took a small diversion from my normal route and spotted a small wood up a footpath that looks suitable for another bivvy stop later in the year. I dallied over breakfast in Tesco and then set off back to Derby along the cloud trail.

And to quote Bearlegged from ^ there:
Looking forward to March, in which I hope to play a supporting role in a glorious epic...

A couple of pics on my Strava files:

https://www.strava.com/activities/10853544375
https://www.strava.com/activities/10853549238

2/12
26 consecutive months

[Bearlegged]

dark chocolate coated brazil nuts and cranberries

And to quote Bearlegged from ^ there:

OMFG yes, get in my face.

[Mrs Polisherman]

Some amazing BAM rides going on up and down the country but mine isn't one of them. Weather, lurgy and general lassitude means I have barely ridden my bike this month and I did wonder if my BAM hopes might come to an end after one. Last night, however, I managed to drag my weary body and neglected bike 500m across the road into the local "forest". Had a cold, damp night with little sleep but took the Lanshan this time so was a bit more comfy. Back home in time to take Polisherman his morning tea in bed. No photos as I'm still trying to work out how to add them (maybe vegancheese could give me a lesson?)

[fatbikephil]

A range of mileages being bashed out this winter, very large and very small is good

Mrs Polisherman, try using https://imgbb.com/ Free to register, you don't get spammed to death and unlike most of the other free photo hosting sites, it stays free. Upload a pic (low ish res) by dragging and dropping, click a button for 'viewer links' (BB code full) hit the copy button, paste into your post. There is a test thread on the general banter section.

[Blackhound]

Well done on getting out Mrs Polisherman, easy to give up now, I have failed numerous times in February or March.

I must follow Fatbikephil’s advice on photos. I end up with Strava or Instagram links, not ideal. I tried downloading from a Strava pic yesterday but couldn’t get it to work.

[redefined_cycles]

Well done on getting out Mrs Polisherman, easy to give up now, I have failed numerous times in February or March.

I must follow Fatbikephil’s advice on photos. I end up with Strava or Instagram links, not ideal. I tried downloading from a Strava pic yesterday but couldn’t get it to work.

Kev (just testing I have name right) there's a thread dedicated to the 'issue'

[Boab]

Rather than incur the wrath of the BaM rules overlords, I decided not to chance it with a double roller edition. I'm not saying never, just not this month. Given the weather forecast for rain, plus the need to take all my work stuff, laptop, clothes, coffee equipment, etc. I decided to head for a bird hide, as ditching the tent meant I could fit everything else I needed into the saddle bag. I still had to bring the laptop in a backpack, which wasn't so pleasant. Thankfully the day had been dry and when the rain came, it was pretty light and didn't last long. It did mean the roads were damp though, but at least I wasn't getting wet.



After a short while, I ended up at a hide I'd not used before. The path leading up to it was a quagmire, but other than that and a bit mushed up by cattle, the few off road bits were surprisingly non-squishy. I got the sleeping system out, necked a beer, and jumped into bed. I was slightly concerned about water ingress, as it was an older hide and had gaps in between the shutters, which the wind was whipping through, I just hoped any rain wouldn't be blown in and onto me; one of the reasons I put everything into the bivvy bag.

It was a mild night, so I was plenty warm, even my feet didn't get too uncomfortable. Not that I noticed, as I didn't do my usual toss and turn, and lie there for hours wishing for sleep. My daughter was throwing out an eye mask, so I grabbed it to give it a go, plus I used an ear plug in my one functioning ear. Both seemed to help, as when I did stir to roll over, it was all dark and pretty quiet, so I just dropped off again. I did have to rip out the ear plug a couple of times though, once at 05:00 when a couple of Muntjac decided to have an argument outside the hide. Yes a gold eye mask with absolute bliss written on it is a bit much, it's now defo part of my bivvy kit.



The roads were still wet in the morning, even though it wasn't raining, so it may have rained during the night, not that I heard any. Some of the off road bits were squelchy, but others pretty dry; in essence, the usual bad bits were bad, everything else was pretty good. Unfortunately, my luck with the rain ran out as I approached Cambridge, although the waterproof jacket and shorts coped with it fine, even if my gloves didn't. It only lasted fifteen minutes or so, and work has a drying room with a monster dehumidifier. It will make for a novel change riding home in dry gear after getting soaked on the way to work.



Not looking forward to the ride home, as this was the longest ride this month and the first time I've ridden outside. It's all about the ice skating at the moment...

https://www.strava.com/activities/10859665222/
2024: 2 / 12
Total: 40
Streak: 2

[redefined_cycles]

A streak of 2 and only the one for this year. Not quite broken any personal records, but... I'm out. Gonna have to concentrate and prioritise the little ones new little room/den/shed/loft. Call it what you like, I'm currently insulating it proper and it'll have no heating. So maybe even a bothy!!

Sad to be out so early, thanks for the count-ups Phil. Didn't evwn manage to nab this year (alternative) Winter Event but will be trying a 200 miler in a week or so (compulsory recce of an orphans sponsorshop route of which 7 riders will get put through the grinders (and Hirnant Pass near Bala).

So sad

[Leerowe76]

Hirnant Pass is a lovely climb though

[Leerowe76]

@fieldoffice heating up some stroopwafel for breakfast.

Love this little warm breakfast option

[redefined_cycles]

Hirnant Pass is a lovely climb though

That might be true. But some of us might be tired from 8000ft already and a hidden Long Mynd climb soon thereafter

[BridlewayBimbler]

This month's attempts have been totally scuppered by a combination of colds, flu, gastroenteritis, and a shoulder injury
February can get in the bin! Roll on March
Well done to everyone's great effort's though

[gecko76]

@fieldoffice heating up some stroopwafel for breakfast.

Love this little warm breakfast option

I spotted that! Noted for future mornings.

Tonight still counts for February. The extra day almost makes up for making it a five week month.

[GoneCaving]

a gold eye mask with absolute bliss written on it is a bit much

The power of positive thinking no doubt!

[Lazarus]

Got out last night. Sneaked out late ish ( after 10j to the only hide I know near here.. Was up early to avoid the dog walkers and won't repeat as the birds were noisy ( it's barely a lake.)
Fell asleep listening to pod casts to drown out noise and flattened the phone so no pics. Would have been less than 8 miles and next to no climbing as just went along the canal.
Proper write up for next one as NAWE this weekend.Noy quite a Johnallan though

[Leerowe76]

February BAM was meant to be the Winter Jennride, but that didn't happen due to feeling like an Otter for 7hrs. Anyway managed to get out late as in gone 11pm on the 29th , I'd spotted a brand new gazebo which had been erected on a school feild on a ride last week and thought yep that will do the trick but decided against it in favour of the graveyard as the moon was full & another night in a bivvy bag as it was reasonably warm, fed and watered at home so only rode with sleep kit and nothing else.

BAM4 by Lee Rowe, on Flickr

BAM9 by Lee Rowe, on Flickr

BAM5 by Lee Rowe, on Flickr

BAM 1 by Lee Rowe, on Flickr

BAM6 by Lee Rowe, on Flickr

Feb BAM complete
2/12

[Mrs Polisherman]

A range of mileages being bashed out this winter, very large and very small is good

Mrs Polisherman, try using https://imgbb.com/ Free to register, you don't get spammed to death and unlike most of the other free photo hosting sites, it stays free. Upload a pic (low ish res) by dragging and dropping, click a button for 'viewer links' (BB code full) hit the copy button, paste into your post. There is a test thread on the general banter section.

Thanks fatbikephill, I'll give that a go now.

[Mrs Polisherman]

Now I know how to post pictures, here's mine from Tuesday.
Thanks fatbikephil

[Mrs Polisherman]

Okay, now I have to work out how to make the pictures smaller!

[fatbikephil]

Select the picture and hit the edit button at the top of the page (microsh*te in the doc / pic viewer) and it opens in paint. The resize button then allows you to reduce it to whatever you want. Sorry that's probably not a great description, doubtless you tube will have a better one...

[Stinginglip]

My 2024 BaM is over. After bailing on the WinterJennride I've just couldn't find time or motivation for Feb. Good luck everyone for the rest of the year

[JimmyG]

As ever, it’s taken me a few days to write this up but I ticked off February’s BAM at the beginning of last week. The weather forecast was predicting rain in the forthcoming few days so, despite having a dental appointment on Tuesday morning, I decided to head out late on Monday afternoon while conditions were still relatively dry.

Nothing too adventurous this time – I rode from home, westwards along the coast and into Dalmeny estate, a total of 11 miles. I chose a spot that I’d previously earmarked for a bivvy, on high ground overlooking the Forth estuary.

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

While the night stayed dry it was cold and the wind was blowing a hoolie all night. My Joe's Shop tarp did a good job of sheltering me from the worst of it but one edge of the sheet made a helluva flapping noise when the gusts were at their strongest. I seriously regretted not bringing my earplugs!

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Despite the above, I did manage to get some sleep, albeit in fits and starts, and was up bright and breezy to get packed up and away home in time for my appointment. Didn’t even have time for a coffee but needs must!

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

That’s 2 from 2 in ‘24, making 74 consecutive BAMs.

[Blackhound]

@Shaf, thanks for that, I will take a look at that as well. (Kev)

[BridlewayBimbler]

Ticked February last week. I have a reasonably regular Tuesday meet up with an old friend where we do loops on the Ashton Court trails, Leigh Woods, Flax Bourton lanes and hopefully end up at the Miners Rest for beer and Twiglets. He has a FS e-MTB, so I have added a Tongsheng unit to an ex gumtree Niner and can almost keep up on around the berms

With yellow weather warnings for rain and wind it seemed the perfect excuse to make a day (and night of it), so I left home with overnight kit cycled to his place, unloaded the bags and we did a few miles around Chew Valley instead, generally on tarmac with big views of the lake, and a lot of rain (and rivers where they are not meant to be.)

Lunch was soup at Salt and Malt restaurant - with frickles (that is a long-sliced then deep fried battered gherkin)

Back at base I reloaded the bags, cycled to Nailsea and caught the local train up to Severn Beach to scope a spot for my overnight - it had stopped raining and I found a dryish patch out of the wind at the end of the sea wall. Back on the bike then to Olveston and more socialising - pizza with an old work friend, then had hoped for a nightcap at the Boar, Aust (closed that night) but The Plough at Pilning was open.

A reasonable nights sleep and a dry night, but an early start just before the next horizontal rain storm swept across the Severn....shared the train back into town with the commuters. A great overnight with plenty of chat, and almost on my doorstep too, but would be good to be fully self propelled and a bit more rural in the woods for the next one.


Costa del Severn

Can I ask which tent you are using?
Thanks.

[Boab]

Untitled by Jimmy G, on Flickr

Make and model of those down booties please...?