Bivvy+tarp in Scotland

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Day 1. Uig to Tarbert then pedal onwards to Ravenspoint on Lewis. Now in hostel.
Rain. Windy. Midge count 0

What's it like up there? I'll be in Tarbert next Saturday. I've chosen that route to the 78 as some locals have told me the Ardrossan ferry is unreliable.

Edit: there's either 2 Tarberts or you cycling over 220 miles a day. I'll be in the Argyle one, so ignore my Q.

 

[snorri]

What's it like up there? I'll be in Tarbert next Saturday.
Edit: there's either 2 Tarberts or you cycling over 220 miles a day. I'll be in the Argyle one, so ignore my Q.

When there is possibility of confusion the two places are referred to as 'Tarbert Loch Fyne' or 'Tarbert Harris'.
Don't mention Tarbet or Tarbat at this stage!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Day 2. Short version: left Ravenspoint 1045 for ride to Butt of Lewis. It's Sabbath. Nothing's open. I have water. Pasta mug spiral things with cheese, cuppa soup, an emergency dry meal, tin beans, tin corned beef, orange.
Slight tailwind at start. Undulating, dry but cool. Making 10mph Max. Stopped at Callanish standing stones, did tourist thing, ate pasta spirals and orange. Slight midge action.

Set off for Butt. Wind turning to about 2 o'clock, long straight undulating roads, very tiring. Slow progress. Getting Hungry.
Make port of Niss at around 8pm, nothing open, take stroll around coast to ancient fort, walk up to road and cycle to Butt of Lewis. Just spitting. Photos then back up road. There is a walled wind shelter (I guess originally for sheep?). Lush soft grass. Pitch tarp cook beans eat corned beef. Bed down. Very rainy night .....

To be continued.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Day 2. Short version: left Ravenspoint 1045 for ride to Butt of Lewis. It's Sabbath. Nothing's open. I have water. Pasta mug spiral things with cheese, cuppa soup, an emergency dry meal, tin beans, tin corned beef, orange.
Slight tailwind at start. Undulating, dry but cool. Making 10mph Max. Stopped at Callanish standing stones, did tourist thing, ate pasta spirals and orange. Slight midge action.

Set off for Butt. Wind turning to about 2 o'clock, long straight undulating roads, very tiring. Slow progress. Getting Hungry.
Make port of Niss at around 8pm, nothing open, take stroll around coast to ancient fort, walk up to road and cycle to Butt of Lewis. Just spitting. Photos then back up road. There is a walled wind shelter (I guess originally for sheep?). Lush soft grass. Pitch tarp cook beans eat corned beef. Bed down. Very rainy night .....

To be continued.

Excellent post. I've been procrastinating as to whether or not to risk leaving my cooking stuff at home and rely on shops/pubs/cafes etc etc. I shall now be taking it.

 

[snorri]

Excellent post. I've been procrastinating as to whether or not to risk leaving my cooking stuff at home and rely on shops/pubs/cafes etc etc. I shall now be taking it.

With all the posts on midgie warnings poor FF was left to head for the islands without a Sabbath warning, CC fail.

 

[Crackle]

With all the posts on midgie warnings poor FF was left to head for the islands without a Sabbath warning, CC fail.

He'll survive, he's got the body fat.

 

[snorri]

He'll survive, he's got the body fat.

I couldn't possibly comment.

 

[Fab Foodie]

He'll survive, he's got the body fat.

I needed it!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Excellent post. I've been procrastinating as to whether or not to risk leaving my cooking stuff at home and rely on shops/pubs/cafes etc etc. I shall now be taking it.

I've pared this down to a pocket stove with Esbit tabs, 650ml Alpkit Ti mug and tifoon. All fits into 1 pocket of the Carradice Camper longflap with matches, flint, scourer inside. Pocket stove also works with Trangia spirit burner.

 

[GilesM]

Day 2. Short version: left Ravenspoint 1045 for ride to Butt of Lewis. It's Sabbath. Nothing's open. I have water. Pasta mug spiral things with cheese, cuppa soup, an emergency dry meal, tin beans, tin corned beef, orange.
Slight tailwind at start. Undulating, dry but cool. Making 10mph Max. Stopped at Callanish standing stones, did tourist thing, ate pasta spirals and orange. Slight midge action.

Set off for Butt. Wind turning to about 2 o'clock, long straight undulating roads, very tiring. Slow progress. Getting Hungry.
Make port of Niss at around 8pm, nothing open, take stroll around coast to ancient fort, walk up to road and cycle to Butt of Lewis. Just spitting. Photos then back up road. There is a walled wind shelter (I guess originally for sheep?). Lush soft grass. Pitch tarp cook beans eat corned beef. Bed down. Very rainy night .....

To be continued.

Enjoy the wind, even a head wind, it's definitely better than the midges, just back from three very still evenings and mornings in Lochearnhead, the wee nasties were out in force.

 

[iandg]

Luxury bivvy last night. FF heads on his way to Harris after a night with Wickerman.

 

[Crackle]

Blimey, he's not even riding a proper bike!

 

[robjh]

FF's quiet at the moment. Have the midges finally got him?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Blimey, he's not even riding a proper bike!

Nor proper cycle shorts, shirt, jacket, shoes or helmet.
Not even using s propper map or GPS. Old school me!

 

[Fab Foodie]

FF's quiet at the moment. Have the midges finally got him?

Not yet Rob .... They're afeard of me! Am at Rhenigidale hostel where the signal is patchy at best ....