Wild Camping on route to the National 2009

[Farmboy]

A very very short and sweet report for a change:

Excuse the quality, I decided not to bring any cameras of any sort so I had to use my Phone.



Travelling from North Yorkshire to the National in Ullapool, my plan was to wild camp when I got tired somewhere on route as normal nothing planned but I had in my mind an idillic Loch with no one else around.

Well at about 6pm I stumbled across Loch Oich near Invergarry, the entrance road was a nice little Gravel hardstanding leading to a number of Picnic tables.

I chose the one picnic table right next to the Loch with the perfect view and not a soul around for miles



I looked at the view and decided it was the place for me, just to the left was a small Copse of trees giving me cover from the Gravel road with only 20 yards to the Loch itself, I decided to ride down the very small embankment which was about 3 feet below me, turn round and park up next to the trees and set up camp

BIG MISTAKE



I sank into the boggy ground and being fully laden and on well used road tyres I had no traction whatsoever.

After at least 20 minutes of pushing and pulling I had moved it about 12 inches further downwards into the ground, whilst struggling I swear I could hear the faint sound of laughter but I ignored it and seeing as though I was knackered so decided to leave it and pitch my tent instead.

I got the tent up ready and got back to work. Once again progress was slow and I could hear the faint chuckle every few seconds, I turned around and saw a guy sat on the boat with a glass of wine enjoying the evenings live entertainment from his Lochside seat.

I was past caring at this stage so I gassed it trying and hoping to shower him in mud without success, and eventually she moved and we made it the whole 3 feet back to high ground

By now my ready meal was well and truly ready, So I sat at the table contemplating my luck. Afterwards I spent the rest of the evening hoping beyond all hope that his boat would capsize in the obvious hurricane conditions

Thankfully the rest of the National trip was a lot easier.

Chris

[jamie92j]

I sank into the boggy ground and being fully laden and on well used road tyres I had no traction whatsoever.


Chris

EXCELLENT photo !!!!


i know this feeling, the joys of biking hey...........

[Snaphappy]

Did you sleep in the rut

[winxp-master]

Thats just to stop the rainwater gathering under the tent, a nice little rut to take it away

[Steve T]

A picture paints a thousand words, so they say

Nice report and great "rutting bike" shot

Steve T

[largewayround]

Chris

Great Photo,, and report..

I really enjoyed listening to your great stories about your adventures whilst traveling throughout the world. And the stuff you got up too while at the national.. especially this story and the driving down the river..

And I watched your DVD last night, great stuff , really enjoyed it..

truly inspiring

[PHILinFRANCE]

Life just one big adventure you should of thumped yer man on the boat and swipped his wine

[JohnWhite1]

Camping wild is one of the best ways to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of hills, glens and coastlines.
I love that.

[Rubberchicken]

BIG MISTAKE

It's a good feeling innit, that realisation of oh cock I'm never gonna get out of here again.

Did something similar last year on my way to Dartmoor. The campgrounds were well and truly soaked, and I was sure the side or mainstand would just sink in the mud, so I decided to put the GS with its cylinder against a handy tree.

Leaving it pointing square on at a hedge that was less than the bike's length away, with no way of riding the bike out forwards. So I had to push it out backwards. Up a slight soggy grassed incline with NO traction whatsoever.

You just had the one geezer on a boat, I had half a bloody campground as spectators.