psling wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 9:59 pm

dorsetshirelad wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 4:55 pm Sorry, I haven't worked out how to reply to individual comments yet! Perhaps someone could enlighten ?

D'you mean like this?
See that little 66 to top right (actually " quote marks)? Click on that

Oh my goodness, is it that simple, bit like me.

gecko76 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:43 pm @dorsiteshirelad really enjoyed reading that, wonderful images and words

Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Mr Sparkle wrote: ↑Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:42 pm

Code: Select all

 That's uncanny!

Unlike the beer…

gecko76 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 10:43 pm @dorsiteshirelad really enjoyed reading that, wonderful images and words

Yes indeed

I may have a dabble at this depending on temperature/mojo tomorrow night. #lastminute.com

Plenty of that round here!

It was touch and go if i was going to be able to get out for a bivvy this month just before Christmas i managed to do my back and i went to see the usual osteopath who mostly fixed me but i managed to put it out again and this time he was away on holiday so i saw his temporary replacement who despite the warnings managed to cause some damage to the area of the operation i had at the end of November to repair a hernia so i am having to spend more time recovering. It would be wonderful to get out for a proper ride one day meanwhile another local night out was the only option if i was to continue my run in the end i could not stand the thought of missing a month.
It was going to be a cold night so after all the tarp talk recently i found mine i havent used it for quite a while which was obvious as i tried to put it up but got there in the end ,a nice nights stargazing and some sleep followed from the comfort of a warm sleeping bag. I woke around 7 and watched the sun rise while enjoying a coffee and admiring the icy crust on the sleeping bag and tarp.
PXL_20250130_071457214.NIGHT by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr
PXL_20250130_065950637.NIGHT by Kevin Hawker, on Flickr

I cant pack stuff away with gloves on so a pair of very cold hands later i was away home pleased that the mud had temporarily set

1/12 for 2025

Nice one Kev

Last minute January BAM live in progress...phew!!

It's actually been absolutely ages since I've slept out on a hill, on my own.

Good to be back

On a tussocky hill above Clydach Gorge, with pretty lights of houses rather than stars...

Seems pleasantly mild and very still at the moment....

Another last-minute Utility BaM, on 30 January 2025.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFhdWeyoxiV ... pxZDQ1OWo3

Persistent rain in a floodplain nature reserve, so water was a theme. A very early start was needed on the return, to catch a train that didn't fall foul of the "no bikes during the rush hour" policy. So, although being warm and comfortable, I woke up every hour worrying I'd miss the train and be late for work .

All done: roll on springtime .

16/16

Last minute.com but I did it. A hasty and fairly poorly planned night up on the moor. The freezing fog was a nice touch, I thought. Might stick a report in ‘Mostly coasting’ if I get chance. Anyhoo 1/1 for 2025. Well done everyone else who managed to get out.

I'll give BAMs a go this year. Managed to get out last night, staying locally, in a wood about 3 miles from home. Not very far but I just wanted to get a start. Had tried to persuade myself to have a go for the last 2 yrs but always bottled it. Let's see where we get to this time.

Got Kids sorted for the evening and was able to head out. Kind of ballsed the packing, so the bike felt kind of awkward. Made it to the spot at about 9. Setup was pretty quick and I felt relaxed opening a beer. I'd been in the same woods last year and got spooked for no reason. Felt chuffed to get out.

Didn't sleep well and was a bit cold. I had intended to set off for a couple of hours riding but instead just packed up and headed home before light

Went out last Tuesday. Was in a low mood all day. Sat against a tree. Cheered up. Manchego, kabanossi, Impy stout.



2025 BAM 1/12
2025 total bivvies 1
Current streak (months) 74

Winter Event

Playing to Rule #3

1/1, 1/12, 108/108
2/2, 2/12, 109/109

I thought you'd forgotten about january reg!

Late write up for January done on 21st/22nd :

Trip up to Grwyne Fawr bothy catching perfect winter sun between some very wet days. It is a small space so with half a rucsac of coal got it toasty - and surprised to have a late night midweek visitor too who strung his hammock above the stove below.

Whizzed back down the track in the morning, left most stuff at the car and then set out on the Black Mountains Classic loop. We were much delayed by fallen trees in the forest so pushed on past Crug Mawr then along McNamara's Road with minimal stops and after the big push up Y Grib were still out on the tops in the dark, but after a few anxious turns on the plateau were back down the bridleway from the bothy with head torches to the car and relieved to get to beer and lasagne at The Skirrid Inn.

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:43 pm I thought you'd forgotten about january reg!

Only just squeaked in because didn't leave the pub until 23.30!

February. Nice and early for a change!

Taking advantage of the dry spell, I put some gear on the road bike and set out to ride the route of The Old 240 Audax. Except I'd split it in half to enjoy a couple of easier days with an overnight stop in Alston

Lovely riding through the Dales, Bowland and into the North Pennines

It was pretty cold by the time I hit Hartside summit, and I was shivering when I got to the pub in Alston. A couple of pints of Pennine Pale, a veggie Bourgogne and an apple and raspberry crumble with custard later, and all was well again.

A bit of mooching about in some woods by the river showed a good enough spot for the shelter, ending the first day quite nicely.


A cold night followed, which wasn't ideal for my summer bag, but it's to be expected in February I guess.

The following morning was pretty wild going over Yad Moss. Freezing headwind and a fair bit of snow still on the ground, but the lightening sky brought another beautiful day, albeit with a mildly troublesome headwind


A fairly challenging day on tired legs but I think it was mostly enjoyable. 2x 200km Audax rides, plus a BaM night on the first weekend in February can't be a bad thing

Very last minute on 31st January, very local, very simple, but so so chuffed that I have made it!!

Had finally managed to recce an area close to new home which would feel suitably safe to bivvy at (=no cows, low chance of crazy drugged up middle of the night quad or motorbikes... quite a thing here ). So off I went - you can spot "Sean's bridge" there...

IMG_20250131_215350 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

(no bags on bike as I had it all in a rucksack).

Nothing remarkable to see here, just as evidence really...tussocks n rocks, hillside up above Clydach Gorge, the Blackrock side.
IMG_20250131_222225 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

Sat down on my freshly made bed....hssssssssssss - and my mat was flat (haven't yet investigated what the problem is).

Went straight to a pretty decent sleep, woke up about 4 I think.

Then thought how actually remarkable my unremarkable bivvy was: January. Bivvy bag only, no mat to insulate me. Bone dry. Perfectly still night. Actually not cold by my standards (and that includes all seasons). And actually really rather comfortable. Must have been a perfectly shaped bit of hill for my old body.

Snoozed on a bit more, made a coffee about seven or so, then packed up and left, as not much prospect of a sunrise, or it getting light for that matter....

As I made coffee, I spotted a torch nearby - early dog walker I thought. As I packed up, I saw the torch again in the same spot, and two people. Odd I thought - I think there may have been people camping very nearby - what are the odds?!?

OK, it did get a bit light eventually.... Heads of the Valleys road below, which oddly I barely heard during the night, just a faint whoosh. And Sean's bridge again

IMG_20250201_072419 by Verena Zimmer, on Flickr

PS: Went for a lovely walk yesterday, and found another great place to bivvy, at an abandoned former reservoir. On my travels, met a fell runner (a good sign). On my walk back, a father, son and dog. Also fine. Then I realised the boy was walking around carrying a rifle - probably looking for rabbits to shoot I'm guessing?? Now do you see what I mean when I say it feels a bit "wild" around here?!?!

Verena wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:13 pm Very last minute on 31st January, very local, very simple, but so so chuffed that I have made it!!

Eleven to go

So I have the following starters:

Keith74
NeilA
Sean_iow
JohnAllan
Frog
jimmy G
FBPhil
Gecko76
Doresetshirelad
Raggedstone
Javatime
Muddypete
Mr Sparkle
Rapideye
Bearlegged
Verena
RIP
Mr G
Jose McTavish

In order of completion.
Which I have to say is our lowest number for a few years. Of course that's fine as long as you all do 12 months, as that makes the final total similar to most years!
Keep 'em coming

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:11 pm
Which I have to say is our lowest number for a few years.

Mmm. Bit of a shame. I've also noticed that there were very few non-BaM trip reports this year. Plenty of chit-chat about gear, and indeed gear ratios, but apparently not much actual, you know, Bear Boning going on. 2377 members must be able to do better than that. A forum's only as good as its contributions and contributors.

PS. Seems there were 1532 'users' online on 7th January. Completely passed me by did that, should have been quite obvious given they would all have been listed at the bottom of the forum page! Bots?

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:11 pm So I have the following starters:

Keith74
NeilA
Sean_iow
JohnAllan
Frog
jimmy G
FBPhil
Gecko76
Doresetshirelad
Raggedstone
Muddypete
Mr Sparkle
Rapideye
Bearlegged
Verena
RIP

In order of completion.
Which I have to say is our lowest number for a few years. Of course that's fine as long as you all do 12 months, as that makes the final total similar to most years!
Keep 'em coming

Please add me in Phil (21/22nd January above)

javatime wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:23 am

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:11 pm So I have the following starters:

Keith74
NeilA
Sean_iow
JohnAllan
Frog
jimmy G
FBPhil
Gecko76
Doresetshirelad
Raggedstone
Muddypete
Mr Sparkle
Rapideye
Bearlegged
Verena
RIP

In order of completion.
Which I have to say is our lowest number for a few years. Of course that's fine as long as you all do 12 months, as that makes the final total similar to most years!
Keep 'em coming

Please add me in Phil (21/22nd January above)

oops, sorry Javatime!