Sleeping outdoors

[JohnClimber]

I can sleep for 8 hours at home (need a pee mid way through #AgeThing)

But when bivi'ing or in a Bothy I struggle to sleep more than a few hours on and off.

Is it just me?

Any tips on how to nod off?

[composite]

I tend to just ride loads to where ever I'm stopping so I'm knackered.
Hot drink before bed also helps or alternatively cider (but remember take a bottle opener ).

[jameso]

For 2 day / 1 night trips I've found herbal nytols useful, in small doses. 1/2 or 1 tablet where they recommend 1-2. Tried them for jetlag on work trips (the std Nytols are more effective but I think they'd not be so good for riding first-thing next day) and when I found that longer, higher-pace rides left me feeling wired and awake and my pace next day was suffering due to lack of good rest more than my legs feeling bad I gave the herbal ones a go. If good rest is needed I take them as an 'in case' thing.
These days I tend to ride later rather than set up camp in the early evening as I find that much after 10-11pm I get drowsy on the bike, after food and getting into a sleeping bag it's hard not to drop off for a fairly decent 4-5hrs kip. Much more than that is unlikely for me, 6hrs in a bivi feels like 9 at home.

[jamiep]

never sleep more than a few hours when away from my own bed even when exhausted. Audio books help me nod off

[Bearbonesnorm]

[voodoo_simon]

I'll wake up several times in the night and always about 6ish in the morning. I can only sleep on my belly, so have a bit of hate of hoods on sleeping bags

[Ian]

A days cranking the singlespeed, a cup of hot chocolate and a bit of Bon Iver usually sends me straight off to sleep for several hours. I also seem to wake much less in the night when I use ear plugs.

[adjustablewench]

Im the opposite wake at 6 at home but happily sleep for ages outside - as chew will vouch when he patiently waited until 10 once for me to wake up

[Brothersmith]

Im the opposite wake at 6 at home but happily sleep for ages outside - as chew will vouch when he patiently waited until 10 once for me to wake up

Yep earplugs and the absences of a wake up call from a 6 year old usually mean I sleep better under a tarp than at home

[Ray Young]

I sleep liked a log after a day's cycling and a few whiskies. Tend to have to get up to pee in the middle of the night if I have had a drink though.

[barney]

at home I might get up once in the night for a "comfort break" but more often than not I sleep right through

however on a bivi I sometimes get up 3 or more times which is annoying for me and also anyone else if I wake them up in the process. I'm not sure what causes this, I try to minimize fluid intake the evening before but realise this isn't great for me. Could it be I'm sleeping on too cold a surface? I've switched mats from an Alpkit airmat to one with a slightly better rating

any clues?

[Teetosugars]

Complete opposite for me... I struggle to get out of my pit when outside, but struggle to sleep past 04:00hrs when at home.

Guess the Army taught me to enjoy sleeping outside more..

[Zippy]

I can sleep for 8 hours at home (need a pee mid way through #AgeThing)

But when bivi'ing or in a Bothy I struggle to sleep more than a few hours on and off.

Is it just me?

Any tips on how to nod off?

I'm normally like that. But if completely knackered, I have no problems getting the sleep in (even if the setup is sub optimal). I think I'm also getting used to it a bit more which seems to help me too, and a new comfier sleeping mat.

[jameso]

Guess the Army taught me to enjoy sleeping outside more..

It does get easier the more used to it you get and I expect you'll be more used to it than most! : )
One other thing that seemed to help me sleep longer last bivi trip was to just pull my down gillet over my head. Loose but effective for stopping the breeze, shut me off and felt more like a warm bed at home.
+1 for earplugs sometimes, birds start up about an hour earlier than I want to on a relaxing weekend trip.. Nice wake up alarm but there's always one, about 10ft from the bivi, that's just a bit too keen and chirpy.