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I’ve got some big (Scottish) trips semi planned – 3 day point to point efforts, either bivvying or b&b-ing.
The problem is that I’m not committing due to weather unknowns. Essentially to make the logistics work, I need to plan/book trains and accommodation a long way in advance, but I’ve got no idea what the weather is going to do at that point (and being Scotland it could be anything and is likely to be everything)
To then get to the actual date and find I’m going to be spending 6-10hrs a day on the bike, soaked to the skin is something I have absolutely no interest in doing. I don’t mind going out for a shred in (almost) any weather for a couple of hours, knowing I can come back, have a shower and get into clean, dry, warm kit, but 3-5x times that with no option for retreat, will just be miserable - especially when the pace needs to be steady to make the distance and largely the point of the journey is to experience the landscape (now hidden in murk).
It doesn’t help that I’m on the pie-deficient side and run cool at the best of times. I’ve yet to find waterproofs that stay that way (even brand new ones) for more than an hour or so (and in proper rain it’s more like 10 minutes) – whether its water coming in or condensation not getting out, I’ve no idea, but I do know that once everything is soaked through I get very, very, cold very quickly indeed, and thus the incident pit deepens. Once I’m in that state it takes me ages to get out of it again.
If I get to the point of spending money, I HAVE to finish the trip. But I can’t make myself spend money until I KNOW I can finish the trip…
If you want to call me nesh AF, then that would arguably be fair; but chucking the thick end of £500 to have a miserable time, or worse yet - actually FAIL to achieve what I set out to do is something I’m struggling with.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
...and the magic make it visible bumpitybump...
Don’t go to Scotland.
Eat more pies
Take a big coat ?
Jon - I think from a previous post you are planning on The Badger Divide ? I'm doing this route from Glasgow to Inverness in two weeks time... and having similar thoughts. Let's face it this summer is turning into a wash out! I would scrap the bivvy/camping plans and book into B&B's, then buy some good waterpoof trousers and jacket and go for it. Don't do The Badger in a strong head wind, it's a tough route and lots of climbing.
Have a backup option so you can ride from a central B&B/campsite if the weather is rubbish.
And sort out whatever is going wrong with your waterproofs! Mine usual fall apart but are still waterproof after years... That godawful fabric conditioner should be banned from the house, it ruins anything waterproof if there is any trace of it in the washing machine. Cool Tumble dry for a lot of goretex, soap flakes or proper tech wash for washing.
If you're b&b at every other night you'll be fine. I am thin and survived touring / backpacking in Scotland in a Argos tent several times no b&b and I am useless. The key as you say is being warm in the evening. The key to that is a set of cloths you keep dry and only use for evening. Then during the day wool. I just used charity shop jumpers with a shell over the top for wind. Perfectly warm. i think your over thinking the discomfort.
You won't be able to predict the weather. Don't try to control what you cannot. Except the weather and have way round it.
Book b&b, pub stops with lashings of ginger ale, just keep a warm dry set of clothing for the evening and a warm (and it will be wet) set for the day. You won't keep dry, just keep warm.
You will be buzzing from the trip. There is nothing like starting from a train station in the central belt and pedaling into the mountains with your food and shelter on you.
Go to France, don't come here.
A sensible post. I think for many of us bike packing is something at it's best if you set off on a good forecast. Back in the day the wife and I survived some very wet days in New Zealand but that was using campsites with kitchens.
As above book accommodation every other night
Get a Columbia Outdry jacket. They are actually waterproof and stay that way. Moderate your effort so you don’t sweat too much.
Pack warm clothes for the evening and take a shelter that will let you escape the weather.
Research some escape routes for if it all goes pear. It’s rarely as bad as you imagine it might be and if it is you’ll have memories to last a lifetime.
Get it done.
Don't come to France to avoid the rain...it's been raining here for weeks....