Rainbow Bivvy

When will it stop raining?  When will the weather look like the forecast god-damn-it!

I haven't slept  in the woods this year and I'm missing it bad.  This date was fixed ages ago and the weather's been awesome for most if the run up to this Friday.  Excited preparation and non-riding on thursday night.  Trying to remember where everything went and how it hangs on the bike.  Tested the good old meths stove in the back garden - all good - bring on Friday.

Rain during the day on Friday - no problem, that means less for later when I'm in a bag in the woods.

Home time and the lightening starts - arse!

Eating and watching out of the window as wave after wave of stairrods rain / hail arrives from the west.  Texts and phone calls to friends.  A number of wimp outs followed.  I decide to give it another 15 mins as I'm sure it's clear after this downpour.

Right - that's it, I'm going!

Leaving the house towards a rainbow to the east.  We're heading north.

Meet point and 2 others are there.  Simon and Rob.  Poor show!

Simon's loaded up for a night in the woods.  Rob is just coming for a ride, no bivvy stuff - he'll regret this later.

Up the old railway line with loaded bikes and slippery tyres on wet roots.

It keeps getting warmer and brighter.  No rain.  Lovely views over rolling fields full of wheat and barley.

We leave Rob cursing his lack of bag at Burntstump and head towards the smell of chips and kebab meat - Blidworth bound.

Chips eaten al fresco, Tesco stop for pastry, pub for 3 pints of awesome beer and a meat raffle.  Into the dark woods for kip.

Comfy woodland bivvy spot, whisky, ear plugs and a good night's sleep.

First thing bivvy mornings are the best.  Waking up with lungs full of fresh air, the still of the wood and the sunlight streaming across the tree trunks.  Get the coffee on and warm the pastries.

Back home in time for coffee and cake - everybody's happy