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Apart from the obvious...
Eyeing up a possible solo bivy this weekend but the nights are getting a bit long.
What to do?
Not too sure a fire is a good idea... National park so an uber dick move if caught! I also want to be on the tops where there isn't any wood to burn.
I could just book a room in a pub / hostel and go to the bar i suppose.
Apart from the obvious…
There's nothing sadder than autoeroticism in a sleeping bag.
I just enjoy being outside. I'll stare at the sky, especially a nice sunset, moon, stars, even just watching cloud formations until it gets too dark. Once dark-acclimatised it's sometimes surprising just how late it is before it gets "properly" dark.
Don't stop too early.
Eat at a pub or something then head out?
Take a book/Kindle?
head torch and a book?
Podcasts - find a horror story?
FrankSinatra +1
Take lights so you don't need to stop too early, but leave enough time to eat and wind down before bed. And just enjoy a really good nights sleep without the distraction of a TV or phone (I usually burry it in the bottom of a bag as son as I stop and just tell people I'll be out of signal / saving the battery.
I'd also recommend taking some sort of camp light, some sort of glow to let you stay up without having to deal with the harsh light/shadows of a head torch. A cheap COB type front light works well.
If you're getting bored at camp you haven't done enough miles.
A nice view with twinkling lights to stare at and contemplate it all.
A nice view with twinkling lights to stare at and contemplate it all.
Alpkit don't make a bag big enough to take my existential crisis.
A few options here
- watch or listen to something on your phone (can download in advance if no signal)
- read a book/magazine
- take a pair of binoculars (I love doing this)
- have a drink and just enjoy watching the scenery
I use an Uco candle lantern for ambient light in camp, I find it more relaxing than a battery lantern, not bright enough to read a book by with my aged eyes tho
A nice view with twinkling lights to stare at and contemplate it all.
My final bivvy before moving to Aviemore was spent on Allermuir, overlooking the lights of Edinburgh. I watched for hours as the haar moved back and forth, slowly masking the street lights until it parked itself just below the summit of the hill. I was trying to describe to someone how it looked and my best description was "like looking at those timelapse cloudscape videos, but slowed down - a lot" 😂
Pub while kicking out time then sleep in beer garden on a bench.
Perfect bivy IMHO.
Count the vampires
Whittling.
Out in the back of beyond, playing with a sharp knife alone and far from help. 👍
Isn't asking for advice on this a bit like putting the cart before the horse?
If you're going to be bored then why do it? Just do a shorter ride, or do a longer ride so all you want to do when you've reached camp is go to sleep.
listen to the rain!
dodge the midges
try getting comfortable
that should take 12 hours at least
or get skymap app and learn to navigate by the stars
Am considering the same soon, rather than carry a tent up a mountain
Pitch up near a dogging spot, or just forget the bike and drive to said spot instead
Hunt the house/car keys
Spin yourself around and while doing so throw your house/car keys underhand into the bushes.
Just imagine the fun trying to find them in the dark with nothing but a small torch 😀
In all seriousness though, i've generally been arriving about sunset to reduce the chances of having to interact with another human. By the time i've pitched up & eaten etc i'm normally ready to sleep anyway. I do keep meaning to go out a bit earlier and have a little more daylight time though.
Kindle is a brilliant thing for this, smaller than an actual book, has a light so you don't need a torch, can have hundreds of books so you don't run out, charge lasts weeks.
@montgomery What is that shelter you are using? The pattern looks a lot like it wont attract too much attention
Ian
As above. Pub for something to eat. Ride until its dark. In winter ride with lights until its late.
Pitch up and you should be so tired that you fall asleep quickly. Sometimes if I have enough energy I watch a YouTube video on the next part of my ride or read the next part if no signal.
What is that shelter you are using? The pattern looks a lot like it wont attract too much attention
It's 'woodland camo' pattern, apparently. Probably does its job in the dappled light of that environment, doesn't really make any difference on the UK's upland hills and moors. The tent was a custom design for someone else who backed out of the deal, so I got it cheap.
Thanks all, audio books a good shout as a small set of headphones adds hardly any weight.
Magic mushrooms also don't weight a lot!
Anyway....I've bottled it and booked a YHA 😂