Having bailed out on the planned January micro-adventure as the weather was truly biblical (in the sense that it was horrendously terrible, rather than simply made up...), it had been a few months before Hoops suggested the date of March 15th as it was as close as dammit a full moon!
A few weeks prior a few of us had ridden out to a potential spot on one of our regular evening rides - a nice high vista overlooking a local floodplain/wetlands area. The morning view from this spot should be a goodun!
Not only was this a cracking site to tramp it up for the night, it was also the first outing my DIY bar harness would be making..
A few weeks prior a few of us had ridden out to a potential spot on one of our regular evening rides - a nice high vista overlooking a local floodplain/wetlands area. The morning view from this spot should be a goodun!
Not only was this a cracking site to tramp it up for the night, it was also the first outing my DIY bar harness would be making..
The bike/gear is getting more sorted now - the frame bag and bar harness neatly hold the key stuff such as tarp, airbed, pegs, guys, and sleeping bag..whilst the seatbag has the down jacket, a few spare bits of clothing, and some other bits and bobs!
I'd had a fairly empty Saturday so was able to sort out everything at lunchtime and was raring to go mid afternoon.The others, however, weren't! Hoops was busy buying a 'phat' new bike so at least he had a legitimate excuse!
We eventually rolled up to the shop at about half 6 - although this meant we'd be riding as the sun set, rather than relaxing at the camp, what the hey...
I'd had a fairly empty Saturday so was able to sort out everything at lunchtime and was raring to go mid afternoon.The others, however, weren't! Hoops was busy buying a 'phat' new bike so at least he had a legitimate excuse!
We eventually rolled up to the shop at about half 6 - although this meant we'd be riding as the sun set, rather than relaxing at the camp, what the hey...
Myself, Jim, Hoops, and Tim all headed off via the usual route from High Salvington towards the SDW, then Westward. The terrain on these adventures is never too technical, though the fatbike proved itself on some of the faster swoopy descents - Hoops' attempts to skid the rear wheel out proved the adage of 'more rubber = more traction' as that thing simply wouldn't slide!
Knowing Ray was on our tail, having left about 40 minutes after us, we thought we'd give him the chance to catch up by having an impromptu hydration stop at the Crown Inn, Cootham! A pint or so later there was still no sign of him, and with the realisation that the fire really should be roaring before the cold hit, we headed off!
A few choice bits of singletrack later we'd arrived at the destination.
I was starving so quickly fired up the trangia to heat water for the couscous and cook my (rather tasty) meatball dish - "Look what we found" meals are bloody good!
A few choice bits of singletrack later we'd arrived at the destination.
I was starving so quickly fired up the trangia to heat water for the couscous and cook my (rather tasty) meatball dish - "Look what we found" meals are bloody good!
After the food was eaten, the tarps were pitched, and the fire was roaring, the whiskey/rum/etc started to get handed around :-)
Part of the enjoyment of these trips is the 'basicness' of mates, fire, booze, nature!
Part of the enjoyment of these trips is the 'basicness' of mates, fire, booze, nature!
Turning night-time into day with the long exposures!
As the bright moon came round, at about 4am it shone into my bivi and woke me! I wasn't too fussed though as I snapped away at the shining orb!
Despite being a bright morning, I slept in until about 720am - not too bad, and having the early waker Miles at home, this was a luxury lie in!
Hoops and Jim were already up, Ray was either dead or still asleep in his bivi bag...
The morning views were beautiful, as expected!
Hoops and Jim were already up, Ray was either dead or still asleep in his bivi bag...
The morning views were beautiful, as expected!
Once coffee and porridge had been cooked and eaten, we went our separate ways as I needed to get back home for 10, whilst the others headed to Whiteways cafe for bacon sarnies and a ride around there!
With all the crappy weather we've been having lately (wettest winter since time began or something...) it was lovely to have the trails drying out and the sun out!
With all the crappy weather we've been having lately (wettest winter since time began or something...) it was lovely to have the trails drying out and the sun out!
Learning points from this microadventure...
All in all, another fantastic adventure, and the kit list is getting trimmed/added to as necessary!
Here's the strava profile of the ride out and back...hmmm, no KOMs...how odd...!
- The trangia stove is a 'slow and steady' approach to cooking! I think I should invest in a proper stand/base for it, as my home made jobbies aren't up to scratch!
- The DIY bar harness survived, though the bag does rub on the tyre at full fork compression
- My tarp is far too big - not to worry...I've a Rig7 on my birthday wish list!
All in all, another fantastic adventure, and the kit list is getting trimmed/added to as necessary!
Here's the strava profile of the ride out and back...hmmm, no KOMs...how odd...!