Winter Bike-Packing with a Hot-Tent.

It’s late December, Christmas is over, the urge to head to the woods is strong, so I decide to pack up my bike and ride down part of the ancient ‘Icknield Way’ long distance trail. After several miles of gravel, thick mud and rutted, sandy tracks I arrive at a secluded woodland and set up camp. My shelter of choice this time being an ultralight hot tent and titanium wood stove. The camp chores of setting up, collecting and processing firewood and lighting the stove done, I settle down to enjoy some well earned dinner, a couple of quality craft beers (thank you Bob!!) and soak up the sounds of the woodland nightlife all cozy and comfy in my heated home from home. Morning brings the delightful sounds of the dawn chorus, a stunning sunrise, coffee and a breakfast of bacon and bannock before packing everything away to ride the 25 miles home. It was a very pleasant night out - just what was needed to blow the cobwebs away and burn off some of that turkey and chocolate! Thanks for joining me and Happy New Year! Links OneTigris Black Orca ‘Smokey Hut’ tent https://www.onetigris.com/smokey-hut-... SeekOutside titanium ‘Cub’ stove https://seekoutside.com/cub-titanium-... Kamui folding camp chair https://www.amazon.co.uk/KAMUI-Campin... Thermarest Neoair Xtherm sleeping mat https://www.thermarest.com/ie/sleepin... Veloci Rapture and Reptile Dysfunction craft beers https://www.staggeringlygood.com Mountain House dehydrated meals https://www.mountainhouse.com Ortlieb Front bar bag https://www.ortlieb.com/uk/ultimatesi... Alpkit front handlebar dry bag https://www.alpkit.com/products/airlo... Alpkit rear saddle bag https://www.alpkit.com/products/big-papa Bannock Recipe 1 handful plain flour 1/2 handful dried milk powder 1 tsp baking powder 1 handful raisins or sultanas Cold water or beer Put all the dry ingredients in a ziplock bag. Add water, a bit at a time, mixing in the bag. Keep mixing until you have a dryish dough, the consistency of playdough. Flatten to about 1cm Cook over a low heat (or next to your fire) slowly, turning often until cooked. Delicious served with honey! Merchandise Simon, a bloke in the woods - Patch and Sticker https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ablokein... Contact me at: [email protected] Or by mail at: Simon, a bloke in the woods PO Box 384 Diss Norfolk IP22 9DB UK Facebook Simon, a bloke in the woods https://www.facebook.com/simon-a-blok... Instagram simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods https://www.instagram.com/simon_a_blo... Music The Engagement by Silent Partner Cowboy Lullaby by JHS Pedals