Bivvy a Month 2024

[MuddyPete]

...(in classic British fashion) and we now reap the rewards with the Pendolino tin cans, effectively buying our own technological breakthroughs back off the Italians.

...and paying the Italian government to run them (Avanti/Trenitalia/1stgroup).

That's capitalism!

[faustus]

"and while we're on the subject of the technological powerhouse that was British Rail in the 1970's" Sorry, really OT;

Shame that, famously, they couldn't make a nice sandwich

I'm a bit torn on this, as British Rail has lots of less good stuff going for it, and there's a measure of engineering prowess mythologizing going on, where it's not so clear cut we were the innovators. I know much of it is down to politics and management, rather than technical capability. But that is part of the ingredients for success too, and I guess they just couldn't successfully apply/operate/commercialise active tilting despite APT being in service for a bit.

Going back a bit to the 60s (and as with all things BR is comes down to politics and government); while Britain had only just stopped building brand new steam locos, and the 'last day of steam' was a few years off, Japan was operating the first Shinkansen at 137mph.

Last thing: APT-E looked brilliant, and I caught a train in Norway in 2007 that took some distinct design cues from it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSB_Class_73

Perhaps there's a need for a train thread to vent all of the clearly pent-up geekdom...

[PaulB2]

We'll be comparing hornby sets next...

[Tractionman]

We'll be comparing hornby sets next...

now you're talking

[fatbikephil]

We'll be comparing hornby sets next...

now you're talking

Ha, I've just remembered I have an Intercity 125 Hornby train set (oddly enough, only 4 carriages a la Scotrails ones) at Mum and Dad's which was the basis of quite a setup I had and played with when I was a nipper. I guess it's worth a bob or two now but I figure it will see a new lease of life once I retire

[vegancheese]

BAM 7/12 its the end on the month

After work on Friday, a few laps and a shower at the swimming pool then out less than 10k arriving after sunset.
Just off one of our usual MTB routes, on top of the Standedge Canal/Railway Tunnel in Saddleworth.
No need for TinyTarp, only the InvisiBag. Bit too grassy but nice and soft.
Standedge Bivi

[gecko76]

Perhaps there's a need for a train thread to vent all of the clearly pent-up geekdom...

If there is I'll tell you about Damien.

[PaulB2]

We'll be comparing hornby sets next...

now you're talking

Ha, I've just remembered I have an Intercity 125 Hornby train set (oddly enough, only 4 carriages a la Scotrails ones) at Mum and Dad's which was the basis of quite a setup I had and played with when I was a nipper. I guess it's worth a bob or two now but I figure it will see a new lease of life once I retire

All my Hornby stuff was in a couple of boxes at my parents house until they discovered they’d had a roof leak and pretty much the whole lot was one rusted lump.

[RIP]

Perhaps there's a need for a train thread to vent all of the clearly pent-up geekdom...

If there is I'll tell you about Damien.

Does he preserve model trains in formaldehyde?

[benconnolli]

Skin of my teeth July BaM.

Stripped back to the extreme. Entire pack list was; quilt, sleeping bag liner, rucksack padding, the clothes on my back. No tools, nothing waterproof, no phone, but I did have a bike this time.

Spot was on the same os grid square that I live on. A place called the Dingles. Found some comfy long grass and a tussock pillow. Slept about 10-5am, as it's a popular dog walker spot.

[JimmyG]

July's BAM ticked off during my Badger Divide ride (see separate report in Your Trips & Adventures). That’s 7 from 7 in ’24 and 79 consecutive BAMS.

[NeilA]

BAM 31 July... 7 of 7, 31 of 31

A month of holiday and several festivals led to a predictable 31st day attempt.
Come the last day I am home at 2205 following an evening fishing match.
So its cook a meal, faff around getting stuff ready and on the road late.
There is no soul, just minimal discipline to complete another BAM.
Its a race to set up before the witching hour.
Choice is limited to a local recreation ground.
I settle with ten mins. to spare.
Its so warm.
Nestled in sleep bag and Kloke, imbibing whisky gells the come down to stars above, deer in the bushes and sleep.
Woken at four by rain wtf.
Batten down the hatches, its heavy.
Sleep comes again. I awake lateish. Stealth code broken!
Beautifully another night of sleep and a reminder of epic bivvys, past and future. Hopefully again, soon.

Btw WRT and May BAM report still to follow!

And an offer I declined from my mate Dave the Millionaire in his exact words:
You can wild camp here tomorrow night, Sadie and the resident squirrel will be wildlife, my mower is a bit like a combined harvester and I can wake you up in the early hours with a call of "get off my land"
He didnt say about playing rock music through a 3' speaker in the early hours!

[Blackhound]

For a variety of reasons just catching up.

Firstly, I recall seeing HST's before they came into service as I lived close to the rail line near Derby where they were developed. My memory also tells me i saw the APT, but unsure if that is a trick of the mind, certainly possible though. I was a lonely youngster and going and watching the trains go by, or walking across fields was how I spent my summer holidays - that and the horse racing.

Back to business, I eventually got out on the 29 and 30th of July. I decided to ride 'The Lincolnshire Imp' route from www.bikepacking.com. It is 137 miles / 220km starting from Retford, through Sherwood Pines to Southwell and Lincoln before returning to Retford. I decided to start my adventure in Lincoln as it had better rail connections. Monday and Tuesday were both very hot and setting off just after 1130am I knew I needed to keep hydrated. I had 4 bottles which hold about 2.25 litres of water. I initially headed to Saxilby to get some lunch but looking for shade had me riding a couple of miles down to the road. I reached North Leverton and filled up with water and ice cream knowing a shop existed in Mattersey. Suddenly the fast riding on nice tracks and back roads slowed and I was walking. Although said to be 100% rideable in late July with full crops and hard fields I was forced off the bike a few times. A couple of canals were slow going, I was going full gas just to keep the wheels turning. The route crossed the A1 north of Retford which was a little dodgy at teatime but the problem was the other side of the road. It was clearly a rarely used track and I had to climb a bank to get to the trail proper and was faced with head height nettles. I managed to keep them away from me and rolled down the side of a field before being forced off. Just after that nettles covered the way forward with no way round, I got badly stung. A little after I got on a series of tracks NW of Retord which were really nice to ride before crossing the A! again at Ranby. I had missed the earlier shop and had been rationing water for a while. At Ranby I joined the canal and a house backing onto the canal had a barking dog and a woman sitting inside some French windows. I called out and asked if she would fill 2 water bottles which she kindly did. She also offered me some bars but I thanked her and said I was good for food.

Arriving in Retford the route went to the rail station (the official start and finish) missing out the large supermarket that I have used in audax rides. I found a small shop to fill up on water and a few bits for the evening before heading out initially the way I had come. The route was heading SW towards Clumber and it was getting dark. The bridleway went through a field of crops and the farmer had one of these sprayers watering the crops right across the bridleway. I stuck my waterproof on and as the water headed towards me I ran through getting a little wet and very muddy shoes. Earlier in the day I would have been grateful but it was now about 2130. I did not want to enter Clumber Park but a bridleway I knew on the way had a track heading off it. I stepped off the b/way but it was sloping so decided to walk 250m up the hill to where it flattened out. I could hear the A1 which was not too far away but the nettles were still stinging and I knew sleep was unlikely.

I looked at my watch and it was 0210 and I was still wide awake and uncomfortable and the night was really warm, My silk liner was just about all I needed. I dropped off eventually but our feathered friends rudely woke me about 0450. It was light so I got myself up, packed and cycled for about 10 minutes to a little cafe in a lay-by that opens early - but not this early. I found space next to it to make porridge and coffee. The route crossed the road into Clumber and did a large circuit of the lake coming out in Hardwick village and saw an open toilet at 7am! I had seen the sign and expected them to be closed, if the doors had not been open I would have ridden past.

Generally I knew a lot of the route form here, as it went close to NCN6 and into Sherwood Pines before heading east to BIlsthorpe and an old railway line to Southwell. I was on ground I knew slightly (from my VeloViewer square explorations) but just after Caunton I again came across some overgrown bridleways and tough to ride sections. Eventually I was on the run into Lincoln but the route looped off the old rail line to a short section of walking before eventually rejoining the track. This loop did include Doddington Hall where I got myself a nice ice cream and cold drink.

I think a lot of my walking was vegetation or time of year but a couple of the sections I am in no hurry to return to. Maybe after a dryish spring it would ride much better. Plenty of nice scenery to be had.

I arrived back in Lincoln about 26 hours after setting off.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Fi2Zgs5fS/?img_index=1

7/12, 31 consecutive months.

[Verena]

Not one but three bivvies at the end of July (last Saturday, Sunday and Monday), on King Alfred's Way (part of, not the whole thing), in glorious summer weather for the whole time.

My friend started a day early from Reading, and we met up (fairly random choice, but really nice village with a good pub and I got away with just parking my car on a residential street) in East Meon on Saturday evening. As he's not a member of this parish, it would feel a bit weird to write down all the little minutiae of the trip that we are all so fond of, so, sorry, you're getting the "bare bones" only....

IMG_20240731_081027 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

First bivvy was just in a lovely field with great views all around and thankfully no surprise cows

IMG-20240728-WA0000(1) by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

After a while of riding in the morning, miraculously out of nowhere appeared this wonderful farmyard cafe with attached campsite. Leisurely stop to fuel ourselves for the day.

IMG_20240728_085253 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

Second bivvy was a gorgeous spot under some lovely beech trees, with stonehenge in view.

IMG_20240728_211009 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

My favourite photo of the trip

IMG-20240730-WA0089 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

The morning view from my bed

IMG_20240729_053204 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

Another great place for a mid morning breakfast, a community village shop. Having seen what we had bought and as seen here on the table, the shopkeeper came rushing back out, saying he was a little concerned about our "lack of" carbs, and gave us a couple of nearly stale croissants to add to this pile of goodies

IMG_20240729_095515 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

And bivvy No. 3, cheeky one actually on the hillfort above the Uffington White Horse.

IMG-20240730-WA0024 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

IMG-20240730-WA0033 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

A really wonderful mini summer holiday, after a few really rather difficult months it has to be said...

[Tractionman]

Lovely pictures Verena and great overnight spots, it's a great bit of country that.

[Verena]

Lovely pictures Verena and great overnight spots, it's a great bit of country that.

Isn't it - I remembered being wowed by it a few summers ago in similar weather, and it was just gorgeous. Had to stop the car a few times on the way back, just to take in the views and smell the warm grain fields a few more times...

[Raggedstone]

July bivvy done a few times on the Big Bear route one is a paid for campsite in case thats now compulsary

PXL_20240720_200751797 by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr

PXL_20240723_052654997 by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr


7/7 for 2024

[MuddyPete]

August 2024 BaM: Beer & Blackberries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-UeK3ZIpoe ... VjeTlmNGxt

Train to Tring; lovely flowing and undulating bridleway to Aldbury; beer at The Greyhound, then up hill to a random discrete bivi spot.
Woken at 02.50 by the sound of deer barking at each other, very close by .
Very dry and mild (17°C), so no bivi bag needed.
Up at 5, fast down hill, photos in front of the village stocks, then more flowing bridleway and road to the Grand Union canal (passing Tring station - start of many Chiltern Winter Bivis ), then home via many impromptu stops to help myself to breakfast , arriving just before the rain.

11/12

[Bearlegged]

August ticked off with a Sunday night trip to what is becoming my regular spot. It may sound unimaginative or boring, but it's a sanctuary. A quick sidestep out of the usual path of modern life, I can sit here, lie down amongst the trees still observing the wider world, yet unseen by it. As I drained my little bottle of whisky, I danced silently in the glade to music in my headphones. A very warm and dry evening and night morphed into an unexpectedly misty and wet morning. The moisture collecting on the leaves above me, a drip splashed through the bug netting and broke across my lips. I packed, and took the scenic route home, somewhat disappointed that I was too early for an ice cream at the café.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ksIEZM14s/

2024 BAM 8/12
2024 total bivvies 8
Current streak (months) 69*

*

[sean_iow]

August ticked off with a Sunday night trip to what is becoming my regular spot. It may sound unimaginative or boring, but it's a sanctuary.

I keep going back to the same local spots, partially as it's easy but I think mainly as it's difficult to find anywhere new here. After about 10 bivis I'd ticked off all the places I could think of. I do try to look for new spots in the same areas but really it's as much about getting out as it is doing something new each month?

[Boab]

After saying I was going for a bivvy on Saturday night, then Sunday night, then Monday night, I finally headed out last night. Obviously later than I'd planned and after too much hand wringing about my chosen route, versus somewhere around Wicken Fen again. Since I was late, I decided to stop about 15 - 20 mins short of my my intended spot, which now gets saved for another time. Loads of bugs out, which was concerning, as I'd forgotten the Smidge, again.



It was so mild, I didn't want to use the bivvy bag if I could possibly avoid it, so I chose a spot that was sort of covered by some tree branches. I put the Tyvek down, laid on it to check it was flat enough and looked up at the sky for a bit; a shooting star whizzed over. I had a pretty restless night, with lots of tossing and turning, and at least one nightmare. Would've been good to have had the bivvy bag over the quilt as there was a heavy dew, and it was quite damp to the touch when my alarm went off at 05:30.



We were soon up and off, and after the first couple of nice gravel sections, were mostly onto grassy bridleways all the way round into Cambridge. This lead to an issue though, as the grass had been cut fairly recently and lots of rotting blades were soon wedged into the drive train. I stopped being able to back pedal, shifting became problematic, so I had to stop multiple times to try and prise the offending matter out of the jockey wheels, etc. Thankfully it wasn't all bad, with the last long run into Cambridge being in better condition.



Then it was just a matter of getting across town to the office without shouting at all and sundry. Glad to finally get out, thankful for the nice weather and dry trails. Hopefully next month we'll maybe get further afield.

August ticked off with a Sunday night trip to what is becoming my regular spot. It may sound unimaginative or boring, but it's a sanctuary.

I keep going back to the same local spots, partially as it's easy but I think mainly as it's difficult to find anywhere new here. After about 10 bivis I'd ticked off all the places I could think of. I do try to look for new spots in the same areas but really it's as much about getting out as it is doing something new each month?

I've been trying not to go to the same spot again, the general area is fine as long as it's not the exact same spot. I figure I'll keep doing that till I hit 50 bivvies, then it's game on for revisiting some of the nice places I've slept.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12151561776
2024: 8 / 12
Total: 46
Streak: 8

[RIP]

Book turned up Bob?

[Boab]

Book turned up Bob?

Yes, thanks Reg! Totally forgot to message you...

[RIP]

No probs just wanted make sure not lost...

[sean_iow]

I'd hoped to get away for a more adventurous bivi this month over the bank holiday but family commitments and the fact they forecast rain meant I had to settle for a local school night one. I had planned to head out last week as a place holder but lack of motivation prevented any action. I nearly didn't go last night, kept checking the weather hoping the forecast would deteriorate but no luck. Having run out of excuses there was nothing left to do but pack the bike and head out.

The 'log cabin' at Combley had been mentioned in the Today's Ride thread so I thought I'd head there and see if any progress had been made. Pretty uneventful ride out. I did get to see the moon which was very red, apparently caused by US wildfire smoke in the atmosphere above the UK. I also opted to only have my light on low on the road descent from the downs towards Havenstreet. This is quite a fast and flowing narrow lane. The corners did arrive faster than expected with a few last second braking maneuvers required to avert ending up in the hedge but this just added to the fun

The last time I bivied in this woods I had great difficulty finding the little path into the area I wanted to use. It turns off another little path and I had turned back early assuming I'd missed it but if I'd just kept going I would have found it. This tine I trusted I see it an sure enough after gong much further than I thought it would be a faint path was visible turning off to the side. There was also a large rock at the side of the track. I've not noticed this before so maybe it's been put there to mark the turning.

This section of woods is full of firs so ideal for the hammock. I just had to select 2 the right distance apart that were also not in line with any fallen ones that were still hung up. Set up in no tine and turned in for the night. I slept pretty well, I woke a few times with a numb right foot, I think it's the pressure on the heel as the hammock doesn't seem to support my calf so the weight of the leg is on the heel - I'm sleeping on my back. It was also pretty windy at times in the night. When I was awake I could hear the gusts approaching as the wind rushed across the tops of the trees behind me then I'd feel the hammock move as the wind hit the trees I was hung from.

Woke before 6 just as it was getting light. Noticeable lack of birdsong. In fact there was no noise at all. At least this time of year it's light for the photo.



Packed up and headed off to look for the log cabin. It took me a while to spot the path heading off into the undergrowth. Next time perhaps I''ll sleep in the cabin... well suspended over it as no progress has been made since I first saw it a few years back



I continued to follow the faint path out of the woods which was an error of judgment as fallen trees, undergrowth and lack of use (probably due to the fallen trees) made it quite a battle. I did eventually make it to the main fire road, out to the road and then a tarmac ride into work. Made it to the office just as it started to rain.

8/12 for the year, 54 months in a row and 30 nights out this year