Winter Bivvy '24

[RIP]

I know, it's insane, I can't even plan tomorrow's agenda never mind Crimbo (arg, don't mention the C word, I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it).

Anyroad, I know it's fun spending weeks arguing about which date every year, but the South Wales Chapter have already made an executive decision. After a number of behind-closed-doors smoke-filled-rooms focus groups, committee meetings, sealed ballots and shouting matches, we have... <trumpet fanfare>....

6th-8th December. Ta-da.

Plenty of time to get all those daft ideas out in the open .

(I know, I live 150 miles from S Wales, but that's an example of Winter Bivvy Daftness already and I'm an honorary SWWB member and grateful to be invited).

[Zippy]

Anyroad, I know it's fun spending weeks arguing about which date every year, but the South Wales Chapter have already made an executive decision. After a number of behind-closed-doors smoke-filled-rooms focus groups, committee meetings, sealed ballots and shouting matches, we have... <trumpet fanfare>....

6th-8th December. Ta-da.

What!! How did I miss this. Was it last year, or the year before I think I'd driven halfway there before finding it had been snowed off...
so anyway, I'll pop this in my calendar

[RIP]

Fear not, Zip, it hasn't happened yet .

I remember you've gatecrashed the Yorkshire WB a few times in the past . See if you can get an Anglian version going over your way - quite a few contestants over there these days .

Got a vague memory that it was only our professional Scottish brethren that got their acts together last year?

Chilterns Mob used to be a biggie but we seem to have been scattered to the four winds. It was just Pete n Reg's Crimbo Party In The Woods last year.

Belson & Barter (an upmarket paint manufacturers) did a nice South West Winter Bivvy in 2019 I think but they nicked the SWWB monicker from South Wales. Or maybe it was the other way round. Added a delicious frisson of confusion either way.

[MuddyPete]

Added to diary .

[thenorthwind]

Got a vague memory that it was only our professional Scottish brethren that got their acts together last year?

Only one native (Jimmy) IIRC and it was held in the debatable lands. It did at least happen though.

Dates already noted.

[boxelder]

Got a vague memory that it was only our professional Scottish brethren that got their acts together last year?

Only one native (Jimmy) IIRC and it was held in the debatable lands. It did at least happen though.

Dates already noted.

Did Phil frae Fife not join in?

[fatbikephil]

Yes but I've only lived up here for 35 years so none native .
I cant do that weekend dave - mebbes the next one?

[thenorthwind]

I cant do that weekend dave - mebbes the next one?

I might have a trip to Norway in the offing mid December, so need to keep that weekend free for the mo

[boxelder]

I'll try to avoid breaking any bones on icy streets this year and head north.

[Stevemorg]

I think I might be up for a S Wales trip this year - assuming I can find all my kit and actually get on the bike without stacking it!

[Verena]

I think I might be up for a S Wales trip this year - assuming I can find all my kit and actually get on the bike without stacking it!

Excellent

[godivatrailrider]

Can I put myself down as a tentative (weather dependent softie) 'yes'?
I'm only in Ludlow so a quick train to South Wales is easy.
I have reasonable kit, flannelette pyjamas, night cap, bed pan etc

I do mostly run on beer ... so might need a pub visit.

[RIP]

Good to have you along GTR. Pyjamas, beer - you'll fit right in . You mentioned tent-ative . Of course. You can kip in whatever you like - tent, binliner, igloo. It's all fair game.

Steve - get it sorted!

[RIP]

Just musing on the Winter Bivvy concept over my second breakfast here.

My favourite ever was 2018. It certainly rivalled the BB200 a couple of months earlier. An absolute BBB classic in fact.

Enjoy reading about it from the comfort of your cosy armchair:

https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... 10&t=13675

https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpB ... 10&t=13674

[slarge]

Looking forward to something this year. I might be working in Scotland so might join those north of the border, or if I'm at home then a trip west... Or just a bivvy in the woods near me.

2018 was a bit of a classic - I think a bit of hangover is still lurking in my head from that. The riding and weather were "epic"....

[Blackhound]

Just checked the calendar regarding possible attendance but we have tickets for Grace Petrie at the 'Hairy Dog' on the Sunday evening. Carry on camping folks.

[benp1]

Hmmm, just checked dates in Dec, can't make any of the weekends in Dec so unlikely to do one locally or join someone else's

2018 was my definite fave!

[godivatrailrider]

I'm hoping to do my first Winter Bivvy.... sounds like type two fun, but I'm prepared to be proved wrong.
I have been informed the scheduled weekend is a possible weekend of moving child #2 in Chester and my driving duties might therefore be required, but nothing's certain yet.
Fingers crossed for this.

[RIP]

Nah it'll be type 1 - the beer will anaethetise you against any fun rating higher than that

Aye fingers x'd

[oakesme]

I might come to a Scottish winter bivvy if it's East / Central Highlands- A9 / Tomintoul / Braemar, and not too stormy/snowy

6th or 13th Weekends possible

I still haven't been to Glas Allt Sheil after getting close in '22

[gecko76]

I'm up for a Scottish one, and weekends of the 6th and 13th are both free at present.

[fatbikephil]

Hi Max
I can't make the 7th/8th but could do 12th/13th. That said I can't make any commitments with what's going on with my Dad just now so will be a case of me turning up if I can!

I'll ruminate on some venues but bothying is getting a bit more of a dubious option these days, in terms of a group of us going when there might be a group already ensconced...

[Fargoist]

Up for Scottish one also if not too far oop North

[Fargoist]

Hi Max
I can't make the 7th/8th but could do 12th/13th. That said I can't make any commitments with what's going on with my Dad just now so will be a case of me turning up if I can!

I'll ruminate on some venues but bothying is getting a bit more of a dubious option these days, in terms of a group of us going when there might be a group already ensconced...

If everyone brings a 3×3m tarp then essentially enough to make a group shelter as a woodlands bothy

[fatbikephil]

There has been previous talk of doing an actual bivvy rather than using a bothy but the weather record of the last few years doesn't lend itself to such an undertaking, i.e a social bivvy rather than just hiding in a tent all night - '23 lots of rain, '22 eyeball deep snow, '21 rain on frozen snow and ice (it did clear up later though), '19 snow and rain, '18 freezing rain, '17 snow at -10 then rain....