[svccridesupdate] FW: Cycling and Camping Weekend 12 – 13 Aug 23

From: paul rothwell
Sent: 22 August 2023 10:48
To: Stroud Cycling Club
Subject: RE: Cycling and Camping Weekend 12 – 13 Aug 23

From: paul rothwell
Sent: 21 August 2023 22:26
To: Stroud Cycling Club
Subject: Cycling and Camping Weekend 12 – 13 Aug 23

Dear all,

Wild camping or not wild camping, that is question? not really, probably best described as basic camping, as we had access to some nice facilities, that said, I’m not sure any of us used them? 

Here are some of the salient points.

Those involved: 

Clare Smith – On rd

Lin Holley – Did on and off road.

Mike Felton – Off rd

Matt Utting – Off rd

Paul Rothwell- Off rd

Total distance cycled. 

Road route, only Clare did this, I think it was around 90 miles. A tremendous achievement by Clare, especially carrying all that equipment. 

Off road, was 35 miles, most of it on track and bridleway. Quite steep and rough surfaces, in parts strewn with small bolder. Some spectacular countryside and sense of remoteness. 

All routes are on Strava, for those who have it.

Bikes used:

Clare, heavy duty steel touring bike.

Lin, full suspension front and rear.

Matt, Mike, Paul, MBT front suspension only. 

Note: would not recommend doing this route on a gravel bike! 

Camped:

At the Girl Guides site at Cockleford, costing £8.00 per head. We had access to pretty good facilities, toilets, showers etc, but don’t think any of us used these, maybe the loos! 

Camping set ups:

Clare had a small 1/2 to person tent.

Lin a bivie bag, which leaked! 

Mike a small one man tent

Matt and Paul shared a bivie sheet/tarp slung between two tree and pegged out. Worked well enough, even in the rain.

Food.

Mike, Matt and Paul used boil in the bag, purchased from Go Outdoor. Worked exceptionally well, put into boiling water, ready to eat after 7 mins. Very light to carry, eat straight from the bag, no mess or washing up.

Lin, pot noodles and porridge.

Clare, a combination, of home made food and the odd tin, enjoyed her homegrown cucumber! 

Weather:

During the cycling phase it was reasonable dry, at night it did rain a lot. Most of us stayed dry, apart from Lin in hear leaky bivie bag! 

The  open the track surfaces were surprisingly dry, however, in the tree line, Cotswold Way, Birdlip to Coopers Hill, it was exceptionally muddy. 

Interesting incidents:

We’re a hour late leaving Stroud, packing/loading issues.

One person fell of their bike, even before we started! 

Bike rack broke going down a rough track into Slad.

One person stung by a hornet, just above the belly button, painful and much discomfort throughout the weekend. 

Myself and Matt frightened the living daylights out of a sheep, it felt trapped, with no where to go, so headed back in our direction at break neck speed, frightening us to death! 

Highlight for me:

1.Being immersed in this wild and beautiful country side.

2. Sharing my basic abode with Matt U. Said he snores, I didn’t hear a thing!

3. Being out with a really nice group of people, we all got on so well. 

4. Visit to the Pub (not quite wild camping..is it?!) good beer, interesting chat and a wee bit of lively craic. 

5. A great campsite.

6. GG staff were brilliant.

Regrets:

1. It wasn’t longer 

2. It had to finish 

3. A pity we were reduced from a potential 10 to 5. 

4. Didn’t take enough photos 

Lessons learnt:

Do a trial run first, check that everything works, kit fits  into bags and panniers. Check serviceability of all equipment and bike etc. Try and keep kit to the minimum. 

The future:

Certainly will do it again next year, probably in reverse.

Also may look at driving to a location, Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, possibly Dartmoor and doing something similar.

I would like to thank, Lin, Clare, Matt and Mike for their comradeship throughout. 

Yours,

Paul R

07866412611

Photo:

Top two, Matt cycling across a harvested wheat field.

Bottom two, the group in Cockleford.