Bivvy a Month 2024

[NeilA]

BAM 30 Dec... 12 of 12, 36 of 36
Tarpology, more poles from Stuart, and another insignificant pitch!!

My plan was to pitch on top at British Camp, but late prepping left me fighting time.
Cycling to the hills I realised I might not even make the north end of the hills and would likely pitch up in the same quarry as last month, but with critical thinking even that seemed unlikely, so seeking something original i dived in a village hall playing field, which I'd considered many a time, but overthought as too risky!

Usual drill, snuggle in sleep bag, drink 'Makers Mark' whisky and eat Cashew Butter + Pure Vanilla Bean Dark Chocolate.
Took short cuts on setting up the tarp but seemed happy with the outcome. Only later did the wind find me out!
A good night, and a rather lazy and late make up.

No resolutions from me but i do hope to cycle more in 2025 with a few expeditions etc etc. And expand my tarp usage.

And of course to follow Reg and his Tarp theory for 2025 BAMs


Morphed from pent roof to apex


Cowboy tarper


Slide rule flat

[RIP]

36 of 36

A most creditable tally there our Neil

a village hall..... too risky!

Aye, if any of those Women's Institute attendees had spotted you.... jar of home-made jam lobbed at your tarp and you'd have been a goner

Usual drill

Mmm, those rechargeable ones fitted with a large whisk instead of a drill bit make brilliant hot chocolate stirrers .

Cowboy tarper

You need to look at Checkatrade before you set off . Looks fine anyway, bit wonky perhaps...

[fatbikephil]

that's all folks, final review when I get a minute

[Blackhound]

Just catching up with activities, 10 years worth from frog’ is amazing. Thanks for the mention, I do get a lot of pleasure reading these adventures big and small from in a ride all those years ago. Still surprised at times that it has continued, but then it can be a wonderful escape from real life.

[fatbikephil]

The final completions of BAM 2024 are......are......are..............
(etc.)

RIP
Muddypete
Mrs Polisherman
Raggedstone
Frog
Gecko76
Sean_iow
Javatime
jimmy G
FBPhil
Doresetshirelad
vegancheese
Bearlegged
NeilA
Summittoppler
Jose McTavish


Yup, just 15 after a strong field at the start of 31.

This year seems to have been particularly good with some fabulous tales and a real mix of bivvies from local to exotic. Plenty mayhem courtesy of Reg and others he's led astray plus a few belters from others also.

Culinary excellence was supplied by Dorsetshirelad to a level hitherto not seen on this forum, although Jeff did his usual good job and Frog presented probably the most sausages for any BAM year to date. Also a good geographical spread with pretty much all corners of this septic isle covered and of course the usual attempt at escape from bog and tussock by the Polishermans!

Big hand to Reg who as usual has inspired us all with his inspired madness, sleeping a in a range of wildly inappropriate spots, in a range of horrible weather. He also seems to have (once again) left a trail of bemused and amused landlords, cafe proprietors, shop keepers, fellow bammers and other passers by in his wake. Bravo

So onto next year - get thee over to the 2025 thread, and get bamming!

Ciao
P

[NeilA]

Phil,
Any room for me???
I've been remiss in not tendering my WRT efforts, and sorry for not doing so!!
On the case now

[fatbikephil]

Phil,
Any room for me???
I've been remiss in not tendering my WRT efforts, and sorry for not doing so!!
On the case now

Whoops, spreadsheet operator fail, forgot to add your Dec bivvy in, despite having just read it
Sorry Neil, I've added you into your rightful place

[NeilA]

Whoops, spreadsheet operator fail, forgot to add your Dec bivvy in, despite having just read it
Sorry Neil, I've added you into your rightful place
[/quote]

Thanks Phil , the effect left me wondering if I was one of the rule breakers even though I,ve consulted the rules many a time for pc bivvying. Elements of certain civil disobedience, yes, but apparently that is advisory!!
Even as we speak my missing report is on its way

[summittoppler]

Thanks for my confirmation Phil. My 2p24 attempt did have 15 nights out. However I feel I do need to put it 'right' for this year.
Pretty chuffed tbf 3 successful BAMs 10 years apart and on the same bike.
For info my average BAM altitude this year was 1817ft or 514m.

[fatbikephil]

Thanks Phil , the effect left me wondering if I was one of the rule breakers even though I,ve consulted the rules many a time for pc bivvying. Elements of certain civil disobedience, yes, but apparently that is advisory!!
Even as we speak my missing report is on its way

Gawd no, some of the others were bordering on cheating

Thanks for my confirmation Phil. My 2p24 attempt did have 15 nights out. However I feel I do need to put it 'right' for this year.
Pretty chuffed tbf 3 successful BAMs 10 years apart and on the same bike.
For info my average BAM altitude this year was 1817ft or 514m.

You always win the altitude award Jeff!

My usual determination to get bivvying up high has failed utterly this year - highest 330m.... Must Try Harder!

[NeilA]

BAM/WRT 4/5 May 5 of 5, 29 of 29
Late inclusion

This year, given my perceived lack of fitness, I decided to not overly push the miles. And proposed to map read my way round using predominantly off road routes, but the repeated map opening and closing led to me sticking to the road and following os map app on my phone which sat barely viewable in the small crossbar bag, not perfect, but I was not set up for navigation on the hoof. Ok so that's the boring stuff sorted.
Route: Cann Office Hotel, beer and crisps stop, many peeps stopping there, Dafarn Newydd Village Store, food and supplies stop. Sat there with many WRT boners. The owners charged up my phone, while feeding the amassed, a miracle of logistics!
Night 1 on south side of Lake Vyrnwy, after a massive 2 mile search for a good pitch. Found a path system around some regenerated forest. In full view of the crew who camped across the lake behind the hotel! Cooked a nice freeze dried meal. Drank one beer then started dozing.
Morning time a miserable git dog walker claimed I'd be thrown off by the warden!!
Lo soon after a lovely warden appeared. I told her about the Stonechat taking off, flying vertically, then gliding to terra firma. Obviously just learnt to fly, a wonderful sight. She told me about a bird species with significant numbers in the area, wish I could remember which!!
My first task on day 2 was to revisit the village shop. I proposed I purchase the proprietors spare power bank and then he could order another one from the net. This was acceptable to both parties as i gratefully handed over cash! Thank you, wonderful people allowed me to record Strava again.
Onwards I cycled to Mach, not the best route, other than a downhill which lasted for mile after mile after mile. Stopped at pub for refreshment on the way.
Mach arrived and memories of last WRT when Dave and I eventually settled on a camp in the Comedy Festival field, sidling in through a footpath gate.
My intended home for the night, thought I'd ask the security guy for permission but he flatly declined, mentioning other bikepackers he turned away that weekend. My face must've been a picture, and as i turned to leave he called me back and said ok camp up the end of the field. Werhoo glamping wild camp revisited, chips previously scoffed in town and supplies of beer and chocolate ready for consumption in abundance. The security guy came up later and gave me an apple and orange
Day three involved a staggering ascent to Dylife and thereafter downhill to Ceulan and some magnificent cake cooked by Dee.
Thank you Stuart and Dee for perpetuating a must do pilgrimage each year


The Whyte fully loaded, save for a power bank


Lake Vyrnwy opposite the Hotel, night 1


Mach Comedy Festival free pitch , night 2


Glamping

[RIP]

Thanks for your inimitable cat-herding Phil .

This really is my favourite little daft corner of t'internet. Without it I'd go completely sane. I used to do a lot of solo stuff but more and more I'm enjoying and appreciating the "team game", shared lunacy is so much sweeter and indeed supportive. That mutual support has got me through a few wobbles, and I salute and thank MuddyPete, The SWWB crew, The Peaks Posse, Pickers, and long-suffering Frog in particular, although sadly no BobW visit this year. On longer jaunts Frog really has been a much appreciated partner in crime and can easily match Reg for inspired and random nuttiness - who can forget the showstopping and unmatchable 'cattle trough caper' of yesteryear, and two big highlights this year have been the Bonkers Bistro Backyard with wine and canapes plus Slate 2's incredible chapel and 'plain sight' beach promenade spots. And Brumpacking of course. Solo-wise, the Stoke gigpacking graveyard was a winging-it extravaganza of pleasure(?).

Going to be hard to follow those this year, but let's spin the wheel and see what turns up!

Thank you again to you illustrious band of loons

[summittoppler]

Thanks for my confirmation Phil. My 2p24 attempt did have 15 nights out. However I feel I do need to put it 'right' for this year.
Pretty chuffed tbf 3 successful BAMs 10 years apart and on the same bike.
For info my average BAM altitude this year was 1817ft or 514m.

You always win the altitude award Jeff!

My usual determination to get bivvying up high has failed utterly this year - highest 330m.... Must Try Harder!

Actually, my lowest was 330m at Camden bothy in Glen Affric and highest was 950m near the summit of Carnedd Llewellyn
Lets see what the next round brings, cheers

[JoseMcTavish]

Sorry everybody, I am the absolute worst - my life seems to be incompatible with getting any time on the internet these days, but I have still been squeezing in my BAMs with little time to spare as usual! On checking, I see I hadn't got anything in since January which even surprised me, so here's my summary to June:

February
The usual late start on the 27th as I rode out past Drumoak at 11pm to try out a nice patch of forestry I'd never had a proper look in before. The weather held, so I had a pleasant tarpless night under the stars before riding home to get to work. 36km all in.

Idyllic wake up


Minimal packing


Ready to go


Easy ride home



March
Almost a carbon copy of February, heading out just before midnight on the 30th to try out a spot on the side of a hill near Echt. Greeted by a lovely sunrise and cruised back early enough to perform Easter bunny duties in the back garden before the kids were up and about! A healthy 40km

Stunning morning


Nae bad viewpoint


Some frost on the trails


Lovely Easter Saturday



April
Last night of the month of course, but at least I set out before it was dark just after 8pm. Went to the western end of the Hill of Fare and got the hammock up in the trees just past the edge of the forestry in the hope of a view over Deeside. Was instead greeted with dense fog and dropped back to the road to complete an 80km loop to the office for work.

Super rare ride started in near daylight


Sky full of stars raised my hopes for the morning


Hopes quickly dashed upon waking


Some bogs happened


Pleasantly moody



May
There had been some lovely weather this month but I still waited till the 27th to get my bivy in. My lovely new pole from Stu had arrived so I could finally try out my Lanshan tent on the edge of Durris forest. I'd slept in the hammock there once before and decided to try pitching on the lush grass where the Elsick Mounth heads towards Stonehaven. Pretty much the second I got the tent off the bike, the midges descended to make for a hellish pitching experience and attempted fast entry to the tent with my gear. The morning wasn't much better, but after much swearing and flailing I got myself packed up and allowed my movement up and over Meikle Carewe windfarm to rid me of the insect assassins on my way home in the sun, for 50km total.

Almost beat the sunset


Edge of the forest


No idea how I stood still long enough to take this picture


My morning welcome committee


Still a nice spot


Wind farm targeted


Another great morning (As long as I was moving)



June
I could technically have ticked this off on the first night of the month during TransScotland, as I had a decent 2 hour kip on a bench at the Corrieshalloch visitor centre till 4am. However, I had proper nights out during a Coast to Coast to Coast ride with friends later in the month. The weather was very mixed to say the least, which resulted in a couple of bonus hotel stays. I'll count the first tent night as my BAM however! This was on the second night of the trip, next to Larachantivore. Pitched up in sunshine and was greeted with the mother of all rainy nights, to give the tent a proper test. Had a proper soggy day to follow on our way over to Poolewe.

Could have counted at a push


Dragging some mates into the wilderness


Good to be back


Before the overnight battering


Lots of weather happened


One of the coasts


Okay, half a year caught up, will add the last six months ASAP to keep me sane

[fatbikephil]

....I also had a very bad midge experience in Duris forest a few years ago, up by the windfarm...

[JoseMcTavish]

Uuuurgh, brutal!

[JoseMcTavish]

Right, I better finish these off so I can move on with commencing my 2025 attempt!

July
This was my usual holiday bivy straight from a cottage in Nethybridge, along the Speyside Way and out the back of Carrbridge into the moors west of Aviemore. I climbed up to the highest peak I could get to without entering the clouds and bivied near the cairn with a beer and food for company.

Lovely tracks through the moors to explore


Climbed to summit of Carn Sleamhuinn (677m), rather than Geal-Charn Beag, which looked soggier


Actually made the effort to bring a beer


Great views eventually in the morning


Good riding back along the ridge to the north


Made the most of a stunning morning to wander around some favourite spots in Abernethy on my way back



August
Another late night departure from home on the 29th to tick off yet another bit of forestry west of Aberdeen near Drumoak

Nights without the hammock are very rare these days


Golden morning skies


Not a bad summer really



September
After an unfortunate and completely unprovoked incident resulted in me being assaulted by an unhinged truck driver, I needed to spend some time away from the roads, so I jumped in the car after work one Friday and headed for the Cairngorms. Setting off near Logie Coldstone I spent an hour or so riding through low clouds/mist before climbing straight up Mona Gowan (749m) from Strathdon, which was impressive as I had forgotten to bring the fresh battery for the gears on my fancy bike and so was riding single speed after about 5 shifts! As I'd hoped, I emerged from the clouds just as the sun was setting and had an amazing view of an inversion, with cloud rolling over nearby hills like waves. It was even nicer in the morning and I had a tough time dragging myself away from the summit to drop back into the mists and return to the car via Morven Lodge. Definitely helped lift my spirits.

Lots of shortened views to start with


Heroic single speed climbing rewarded with clear skies


Mona Gowan


One of those nights that ticks all the boxes


Sun was way higher by the time I convinced myself to leave


Good tracks down to the moor


Last of the sun on the descent



October
A night time car MOT drop off in Maud presented me with a bivy opportunity on the way home. The forecast's 5% chance of rain equated to it raining the whole night as I cycled, but eventually eased just as I found a mostly suitable wood to get myself set up in. The morning proved drier as I scurried back to get a day's work in.

Just about managed to find suitable trees


Some nice views available


A bit too rushed to take many pictures



November
Another ride from home with limited time. Used the singlespeed as the roads were wet and it has mudguards and pitched up in some trees not far from the Deeside Way.

Treated myself with alcohol again


Latter half of the year getting a bit tarp heavy


It's quite handsome for a commuter bike



December
Struggled to find a slot for this one, so ended up going out late on Boxing Day after the rain stopped, to try out Maryculter Woods, which worked out quite well.

Tarp required as the trees were dumping water every time the wind blew


Festive treats


Beginnings of a nice sunrise


Packed for return


Couldn't hang about as I was supposed to be working the AM


Crossing the Dee en route to home


So, there is my final catch up for the year - sorry again for being so rubbish at joining in regularly this year, will endeavour to be more consistent in 2025! That's 12/12 for 2024 and 24 consecutive BAMs, not quite matching my previous streak of 36 though!

[Tractionman]

what a brilliant set of pictures @JoseMcTavish and tales 'from the field', great to see

cheers,

Keith

[JoseMcTavish]

Thanks Keith, making a New Year's resolution to actually post these nearer the time I do them!

[fatbikephil]

Note to self, kip on some hill tops this year!

[frogatthefarriers]

Right, I better finish these off so I can move on with commencing my 2025 attempt!


Tarp required as the trees were dumping water every time the wind blew

Sorry for being nosy, but don’t you get cold from below with your underquilt slung so low? I notice that on all your hammock pics, there’s always what looks like a huge gap 'tween hammock and quilt at the ends. I get that the hammock drops down and fills the gap when you get in, but that’s a lot of gap to fill.

I like to have the ends much closer to the hammock. Like this…



There are elastics at the quilt ends, so it can accommodate the hammock spreading when I get in.

You can tell me to mind my own business, if you like - I won’t be offended….

[JoseMcTavish]

No need to apologise I am quite a dense person, so I find the under quilt conforms nicely once I'm in there, plus there are snaps at either end that I fasten to draw it in once I'm off to bed. Appreciate I could tighten up the ends to avoid any potential air flow, but I've been cosy down to -6 so far so haven't worried about it really. I'll have to get out in some of this proper cold this week and spend a bit of time getting it looking a bit more like your set up. In all honesty, I always have so little time to get set up, due to my late starts that I just lob it up and never look too closely unless something becomes an issue. Could definitely do a better job with the tarp at times, but I can't even be bothered putting that up unless the weather really forces me to!

[whitestone]

If you are using the same hammock and underquilt all the time then the best way to get things set up is for you to lie in it and someone to adjust it around you so that there's no gaps at either end. Trying to do it yourself whilst in the hammock is very awkward as you tend not to be in your sleeping position. From memory the UQ should lift the empty hammock by about 15cm or so - hang them side by side rather than hammock on/in the UQ to see this.

Hard to tell from your shot but do you have a structural ridge line on your hammock? You can see one in Frog's shot. It makes setup much, much easier as it fixes the "sag" of the hammock meaning you get a consistent lay and setup regardless of distance between trees, etc. Once your hammock is consistent then you can adjust your underquilt to it.

[benp1]

Love all the pictures in this thread. Making me want to think about using my hammock, although I was using a normal mat underneath back in the day

No need to apologise I am quite a dense person

[JoseMcTavish]

Some interesting feedback here, which I will probably never act upon!

I don't have a ridgeline, but see what you mean about the consistent hang I'd get with it. Whilst I'm a bit blasé about getting the perfect hang etc. I am at least very ruthless in cutting the weight down. The hammock and suspension only weight 233g, though I'm sure adding a ridgeline wouldn't add much. Does it having it there get annoying when you're just sitting in the hammock for a brew? I'd imagine it would either be stuck behind or in front of you?

Ben, I'd always just used a mat in the past too, but the underquilt has definitely ramped up the comfort levels by a long way over the last year or so!