2024 Spring Bivvy Ride
Sleeping out on a hillside before the weather’s warmed up has become something of an annual tradition for the local GUTM riders. At least, it happened in 2022 and in 2023. This Easter we did it again.
The plan was the same as previous years:
- Meet up mid morning, at our usual woodland cafe
- Drink coffee, compare bikes, faff with luggage
- Ride at a leisurely pace in the general direction of a pub
To be honest, that’s pretty much the formula for most GUTM rides, though we often skip step 3.
Adi made an excellent start to the day. Not only had he ridden all the way from somewhere near Crewe (for the third year on the trot), he’d arrived at the start at least half an hour before I did (I live a couple of miles away, and was the last to arrive).
Also, Adi had made some impressive kit choices.
The remaining campers consisted of Aidan, Matt, Will, and I. After a suitable amount of pre-ride faff, we set off in the general direction of the Peak District.
While we do like a nice quiet lane, we generally avoid roads when a traffic-free alternative is available. We’d decided to go down the Fallowfield Loop, the first disused railway line of the day. It took us to Reddish Vale.
I always enjoy riding through Reddish Vale. It’s a large green space with plenty of trees, some water, and a few lumpy tracks that make a nice change from the tarmac. It also signifies that I’m leaving home turf behind me; adventure is afoot!
Beyond the Vale the Transpennine Trail weaves through a housing estate, then takes you up a very short (but punchy) climb in a small patch of woodland.
Halfway up this first real test of our machines, we had our first mechanical. One of Adi’s rear spokes was unable to cope, and snapped after about 5 yards of ascent.
Aidan (a seasoned bike mechanic): How old are those wheels, Adi?
Adi: Oh, about 30 years…
Aidan: Hmmm. I think you’ve got a rusty nipple…
We rolled on into the woods, along the banks of the River Tame, keeping a weather-eye on Adi’s structurally suspect rear end.
We were taking a slightly different route to previous years, heading out to the Peak Forest Canal to rendezvous with Joe. He lives in the general direction that we were heading, so we thought we might as well pick him up on the way.
We found ourselves spinning along the sun-dappled tow path of the Peak Forest Canal.
Just after we met up with Joe, we got hungry. It became clear that we hadn’t thought about lunch (and more importantly, where to get some). Luckily, Joe’s local knowledge guided us towards a suitable bakery in Marple. Pies, pasties, potato cakes, flapjack, and soup (I recommend the brocolli and blue stilton) hit the spot.
Even better, it was a freewheel downhill from the bakery to the start of the Middlewood Way.
Skirting the edge of the Peak District, the Middlewood Way is another old railway line. GUTM rides aren’t about making life hard for yourself, so disused railway lines are right up our street.
As is stopping for refreshments. We made good progress until we got to Bollington, where it’s become something of a tradition to while away some spare time in a pub garden.
If you head down the path to the left (which is slightly obscured in the above photo by Will and Aidan) and turn left at the road, you’ll find The Vine Inn. There are tables round the back.
Suitably refreshed, all we had to do was hop back on the Middlewood Way, wiggle through Macclesfield, and up the road through Langley village to The Leather’s Smithy pub.
We’d booked a table for dinner, but with an hour to spare we stopped to enjoy the evening sun on the banks of the reservoir.
The food and hospitality in the Smithy was excellent (perfect for hungry cyclists), so it was late when we clambered back onto our bikes. We rode away slowly into the night, tail lights blinking in the darkness.
Sleeping out
We were heading for a quiet spot up in the forest, and still had a few km to ride (push) up some chunky gravel tracks. It seemed like hard work at the time, but as is the way with these things, before long we were there.
Bikes were leant against trees, beds were unrolled, a tarp was pitched. We stood on the hillside appreciating a rare view across a valley at night. A hip flask was handed round.
The flicker of distant torches across the valley suggested we weren’t the only ones out that night.
I do enjoy a night in a bivvy bag – I’ve come to prefer them to my tent. There’s something rather special about opening your eyes in the middle of the night and finding yourself outside, in the weather, but still warm and dry.
It was a beautiful clear night. I woke up occasionally, and enjoyed checking out the stars before falling quickly back to sleep. Hillsides make good bedrooms.
Day 2
I woke again in daylight, to the sound of nearby voices. It was a couple of walkers, up early to climb up Shutlingsloe.
It wasn’t yet 7 o’clock, but it was time to get up and away. And there was already movement in the camp.
My second favourite thing about bivvy bags is just how quickly you can pack up. It really is this simple:
- Deflate sleeping mat, roll it up
- Stuff everying into a dry bag
- Strap bag to bike
- Roll downhill to nearby cafe for breakfast
While we were packing up, a cloud appeared on the other side of the valley.
We watched as fog rolled in, then realised we’d soon be in it if we didn’t get a shuffle on!
Luckily gravity was on our side — we were going down here…
After a bracing and mildly hair rising decent through the forest, we were through Macclesfield and out the other side before any decent coffee shops were open. So we did the sensible thing, and went to McDonald’s for breakfast.
It was a crisp Easter morning as we trundled back up the Middlewood Way. The the early sun was pale and the air was fresh and cool. Trees lined the route, forming a corridor of blue sky over our heads.
It was another good day on the bike, and not a bad way to spend Easter Sunday. But not before we’d stopped for another brew…
The route
On the way out we went via the Peak Forest canal, which made it easy to pick up Joe on the way. This first segment took us to The Leather’s Smithy pub.
We took a slightly more leisurely route back, swapping the Peak Forest canal for the Alan Newton way.
The riders
From left to right: Joe, Adi, Graham, Matt, Aidan, and Will.
Fancy it?
Next year we think we might try a different destination.
And later this year, we’re thinking we’ll head out again. If you fancy joining us you’d be very welcome.
There’s no minimum level of experience expected or required (either with riding or bivvying). Just keep an eye on Instagram, where we’ll be announcing any future plans…
Words and Pictures - Graham Ashton