. Great place anyway, although one would have preferred the Stables Bar to have been 100' feet away horizontally rather than vertically. Once organised an AGM for an outfit I'm a member of, on top of the viaduct. For no apparent reason we took along a table, chairs, ironing board (extreme ironing....), standard lamp, and a generator to power the lamp. In January. Bizarrely no mention at all from the walkers as to why we were sat there at all, only one question about why did we need the ironing board. Obvious surely? Only in Britain. Ian, am thinking of bivvy on Wooley Knoll a week on Weds, might drop u a line if ur around. "Reg".Bivvy a Month 2016.
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
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RIP
- Posts: 9675
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Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
INSIDE Monsal tunnel now that's brilliant. 100' of rain protection, did you bother with a tarp as backup? . Great place anyway, although one would have preferred the Stables Bar to have been 100' feet away horizontally rather than vertically. Once organised an AGM for an outfit I'm a member of, on top of the viaduct. For no apparent reason we took along a table, chairs, ironing board (extreme ironing....), standard lamp, and a generator to power the lamp. In January. Bizarrely no mention at all from the walkers as to why we were sat there at all, only one question about why did we need the ironing board. Obvious surely? Only in Britain. Ian, am thinking of bivvy on Wooley Knoll a week on Weds, might drop u a line if ur around. "Reg".
. Great place anyway, although one would have preferred the Stables Bar to have been 100' feet away horizontally rather than vertically. Once organised an AGM for an outfit I'm a member of, on top of the viaduct. For no apparent reason we took along a table, chairs, ironing board (extreme ironing....), standard lamp, and a generator to power the lamp. In January. Bizarrely no mention at all from the walkers as to why we were sat there at all, only one question about why did we need the ironing board. Obvious surely? Only in Britain. Ian, am thinking of bivvy on Wooley Knoll a week on Weds, might drop u a line if ur around. "Reg"."My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
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whitestone
- Posts: 8210
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:20 am
- Location: Skipton(ish)
- Contact:
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
A threesome with Carmen Picasso
It was going to be "The ides of March" but we are a day or two short.
Rather than go into the Dales again we headed south in to the wilds above Widdop. The original plan was to park up at Wycoller and ride from there but due to trouble from local ne'er do wells there's no overnight parking allowed so we parked up at Coldwell reservoir and headed into Thursden (just a couple of houses really) then the steep pull over the road to Widdop reservoir before following the Pennine Bridleway/Mary Towneley Loop back over towards Worsthorne.
One plan had been to bivy out by the ruins of Gorple Farm but my wife decided we should pitch up among the rocks near the summit of the track. After a bit of searching around we found a decent spot that wasn't tussock grass and set up the tarp. A brew and lots of chocolate biscuits later we turned in for the night. I was actually too warm, I think I've found the upper limit of my PHD bag and quilt combination, hopefully it's above the lower limit of the bag alone.
Apologies for the poor tarp setup, first time using the Rig7 so just getting used to it.
The mirk rolled in just after dawn so no views
Blast down the PBW and over to Thursden then I surprised myself by cleaning the climb up through the wood, it's struggle to keep the front wheel on the ground steep and today was damp and covered with leaves so was expecting to walk at least some of it. Finally a steady spin back across the moor to the car (which hadn't been picked clean by the locals).
3/3
It was going to be "The ides of March" but we are a day or two short.
Rather than go into the Dales again we headed south in to the wilds above Widdop. The original plan was to park up at Wycoller and ride from there but due to trouble from local ne'er do wells there's no overnight parking allowed so we parked up at Coldwell reservoir and headed into Thursden (just a couple of houses really) then the steep pull over the road to Widdop reservoir before following the Pennine Bridleway/Mary Towneley Loop back over towards Worsthorne.
One plan had been to bivy out by the ruins of Gorple Farm but my wife decided we should pitch up among the rocks near the summit of the track. After a bit of searching around we found a decent spot that wasn't tussock grass and set up the tarp. A brew and lots of chocolate biscuits later we turned in for the night. I was actually too warm, I think I've found the upper limit of my PHD bag and quilt combination, hopefully it's above the lower limit of the bag alone.
Apologies for the poor tarp setup, first time using the Rig7 so just getting used to it.
The mirk rolled in just after dawn so no views
Blast down the PBW and over to Thursden then I surprised myself by cleaning the climb up through the wood, it's struggle to keep the front wheel on the ground steep and today was damp and covered with leaves so was expecting to walk at least some of it. Finally a steady spin back across the moor to the car (which hadn't been picked clean by the locals).3/3
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
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TheBrownDog
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:46 pm
- Location: Chilterns
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
2 out of 3 for me now. Yet another night just off the Ridgeway. Left my tarps at home and took my Lunar Duo to muck about with creating a bit more space inside by lifting the ends. Worked nicely but I felt very conspicuous as its not exactly the lowest profile of shelters.
I'm just going outside ...
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Some of my March bivys are now up with a few pics on page 2 still 
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
2/3. We 'adder' lot of fun in the sunshine heading up to Redlake, one of our favorite bivi spots on Dartmoor. The fog rolled in, before clearing and the temperature dropped below freezing. My tyre blew out on Sunday's return leg, and my improvised tyre boot was not quite sturdy enough to contain the innards so I wrapped a bit of inner tube round the outside and made it back off the moor and along several miles of road, back to my car. 
P3130296 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3120248 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3120261 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3120217 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3130294 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3130305 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3130308 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr
P3130296 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3120248 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3120261 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3120217 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3130294 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3130305 by Richard Lowerson, on FlickrP3130308 by Richard Lowerson, on Flickr-
Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24197
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
- Location: my own little world
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
What's goin' on? ... no pictures of you underwater Rich
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Hah! The skinny dipping season doesn't start until next weekend!
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
No bikes this time but last week I headed out to find some snow. The Arrans had plenty.
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Laurensdad
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:46 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Spring Equinox trip to the Isle of Wight 36miles ridden on some previously unexplored trails, chilly wind but great fun with Phil, Ian, John and Rach.
@philg1971 Instagram
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
nice pics pal...
Whoops im managed to get a quick bivy in again this month, I headed for the trails at Coed y Brenin this time for two days of rocky fun. I took my stuff and slept up in the forest at a cracking spot i found awhile back. It was a tad cold due to the clear skys so i got a fire going and drank my whisky!
It was still nippy on the morning so i got the fire going again before hitting more trails in the forest. After lunch i headed south for Corris to ride the Climachx trail.
Now if you havent rode this in alongtime like me or never, get yaself there ul not be disappointed its vaguely exciting, i had a massive grin on my chops be the end of it, but i will warn you theres alot of climbing first
20160320_072128 by mjc_226, on Flickr
20160320_073945 by mjc_226, on Flickr
Whoops im managed to get a quick bivy in again this month, I headed for the trails at Coed y Brenin this time for two days of rocky fun. I took my stuff and slept up in the forest at a cracking spot i found awhile back. It was a tad cold due to the clear skys so i got a fire going and drank my whisky!
It was still nippy on the morning so i got the fire going again before hitting more trails in the forest. After lunch i headed south for Corris to ride the Climachx trail.
Now if you havent rode this in alongtime like me or never, get yaself there ul not be disappointed its vaguely exciting, i had a massive grin on my chops be the end of it, but i will warn you theres alot of climbing first
20160320_072128 by mjc_226, on Flickr20160320_073945 by mjc_226, on Flickr-
frogatthefarriers
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2014 1:31 pm
- Location: Wrexham
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
3/3 Ellesmere canal, Colemere
An easy 15 mile ride out from home to a nice open wood, ideal for hammocking, right beside the towpath and only a couple of miles from the chippy.
Someone had built a shelter a while ago, then abandoned it. What a mess!
Amongst the rubbish (old sleeping bags, coats and the obligatory beer cans) there were 5 smashed radios
Pretty canal picture to finish off.
An easy 15 mile ride out from home to a nice open wood, ideal for hammocking, right beside the towpath and only a couple of miles from the chippy.
Someone had built a shelter a while ago, then abandoned it. What a mess!
Amongst the rubbish (old sleeping bags, coats and the obligatory beer cans) there were 5 smashed radios
Pretty canal picture to finish off.
Konia kują, żaba noge podstawia...
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
3/12 
Up over the Wall ( that's Hadrian's) to Kielder. Around the reservoir then back home the next day.
Mainly forest roads and a couple of almost impassable "bridleways" that haven't seen a horse for donkey's years
No sign of any people anywhere. No houses, no cars. No mobile phone signal. Maps are semi useless as new forest roads pop up all over the place and old ones get overgrown.
Plenty of trees everywhere!
Up over the Wall ( that's Hadrian's) to Kielder. Around the reservoir then back home the next day.
Mainly forest roads and a couple of almost impassable "bridleways" that haven't seen a horse for donkey's years
No sign of any people anywhere. No houses, no cars. No mobile phone signal. Maps are semi useless as new forest roads pop up all over the place and old ones get overgrown.
Plenty of trees everywhere!
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
3/3 for this year with Mr Adby At the top of a Combe in that there Somerset.
51/51
Untitled by flatfishrufus, on Flickr
51/51
Untitled by flatfishrufus, on Flickr
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Taylor wrote:51/51
................
.Nice one
.Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Chilly with limited snoring from either party :)Taylor wrote:3/3 for this year with Mr Adby At the top of a Combe in that there Somerset.
51/51
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
3/3 for me now
I got the train through to Edinburgh on Friday lunch time where I picked up the start of the capital trail.
It started out as a beautiful day for a wee meander on the bike, I was making good time for the first 20 or so miles, the sun was out and all was well with the world!
By the time I got into the Lammermuirs a nasty head wind had developed and at points in was impossible to ride into, most of the up hills were spent pushing the bike and cursing myself for having thought this was a good idea. (Note to self, must find a more aerodynamic place to carry my thermarest) It's always worth it when you get to the top and see the view though.
I eventually got to the bothy at about half 6, after getting fed and warmed up I settled in for the night with a half bottle of Glenmorangie, a paraffin lamp and Mumford and Sons to keep me company.
I treated myself to a nice long lie the next morning, I eventually got up and was out the door for 08:30. The weather had remained just as windy as the previous day so I decided to head for Stow rather than Tweedbank, a decision I regretted once I realised how big the climb out of Lauder was. My biggest achievement of the weekend had to be beating a couple of roadies to the top despite the weight and un-aerodynamicness of my bike!
A couple of bacon rolls and a pot of tea at the Cloud House Cafe in Stow rounded out the weekend before I caught the train back home again.
50 miles and 3500 ft of climbing made for a braw wee trip away however it would have been much more fun if the wind had stayed away!
I got the train through to Edinburgh on Friday lunch time where I picked up the start of the capital trail.
It started out as a beautiful day for a wee meander on the bike, I was making good time for the first 20 or so miles, the sun was out and all was well with the world!
By the time I got into the Lammermuirs a nasty head wind had developed and at points in was impossible to ride into, most of the up hills were spent pushing the bike and cursing myself for having thought this was a good idea. (Note to self, must find a more aerodynamic place to carry my thermarest) It's always worth it when you get to the top and see the view though.
I eventually got to the bothy at about half 6, after getting fed and warmed up I settled in for the night with a half bottle of Glenmorangie, a paraffin lamp and Mumford and Sons to keep me company.
I treated myself to a nice long lie the next morning, I eventually got up and was out the door for 08:30. The weather had remained just as windy as the previous day so I decided to head for Stow rather than Tweedbank, a decision I regretted once I realised how big the climb out of Lauder was. My biggest achievement of the weekend had to be beating a couple of roadies to the top despite the weight and un-aerodynamicness of my bike!
A couple of bacon rolls and a pot of tea at the Cloud House Cafe in Stow rounded out the weekend before I caught the train back home again.
50 miles and 3500 ft of climbing made for a braw wee trip away however it would have been much more fun if the wind had stayed away!
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Nice one Blair. Glad to hear you slept better in the bothy this time.
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
3/3 - found a few walls and part of a roof in the Braunton Burrows that worked out well for the night before the Braunton 150. It was windy so I was glad for the coverage.
Greetz
S.
- Brrrreezy
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S.
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Aye it helped I was pretty warm and dry when I arrived rather than soaked to the skin! I had forgotten how bad that climb into the hills was, it fairly warmed me up!Ray Young wrote:Nice one Blair. Glad to hear you slept better in the bothy this time.
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RIP
- Posts: 9675
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Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Looks lovely up there! That bothy's much nicer than our HOUSE - furniture looks amazing.
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Aye, it's a braw wee bothy. The furniture's better than my house as well, it's just a pity there's no wood near by to get the stove kindled up!RIP wrote:Looks lovely up there! That bothy's much nicer than our HOUSE - furniture looks amazing.
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RIP
- Posts: 9675
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Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
Bad luck not much wood.... erm, on a closer look that furniture looks remarkably dry.
I'll get me coat....
I'll get me coat....
"My God, Ponsonby, I'm two-thirds of the way to the grave and what have I done?" - RIP
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
"At least you got some stories" - James Acaster
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - WW
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Charliecres
- Posts: 1489
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:28 pm
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
2/3 with a super-slithery trip out on the South Downs. Managed to dodge the showers pretty well but got very cold before going to a cold pub and failing to get warm for a couple of hours. Still, a climb up a chalky waterfall warmed us nicely before bed.
Re: Bivvy a Month 2016.
I've visited a few bothies that I have found to have had their furniture burnt and it was one of the first things that crossed my mind when this little lot turned up at Bunny's. Hopefully it won't happen.RIP wrote:Bad luck not much wood.... erm, on a closer look that furniture looks remarkably dry.
I'll get me coat....