Trip Report Bikepacking, Bushcraft and Biscuits

[Barney Rubble]

Hi de hi campers,

Thought I'd share a link to my latest video. I've been doing a bit more bikepacking lately. This is simply as a way of using the car a little less and being more active. In this video, I cycled out to my local woodland permission for a couple of nights. I was loaded up to the gunwales on this camp and deeply regretted loading up my military rucksack for the journey (never again) as it made the hills a lot more challenging.

But, I challenged myself to lighting the fire with only the tinder materials that I could forage (always a good fun and practical bushcraft challenge). I've also been trying to avoid using the industry standard Birch bark as a tinder and diversify my firelighting skills.

I also did some work on a spoon that I started carving months ago. I slept on a lovely sheepskin and wool bedroll (probably the principal reason why my kit was so heavy!). I cooked up some nice food and enjoyed a good craic around the fire with good friends.

A feature that I've been putting into recent videos is also a biscuit dunking review. Not bushcrafty in the slightest, but a good bit of fun none the less.

Lessons learnt:
Pack light on the next bikepacking trip
Never walk past a decrepid, punky and horrible looking pine that's probably been sat on the forest floor for a decade
The sheepskin was plenty warm enough, relatively comfortable, but not as comfortable as my usual foam pad
Wafer biscuits aren't really meant for dunking in your brew

 

[Kepis]

Watched this the day you released it, looked like great fun, the biscuits and brews bit is superb, have to agree the humble Digestive is the daddy of dunkers, as is the Ginger Nut as attested to by your mate.

One of the few outdoor channels on YT that i subscribe to these days.

 

[Venator55]

Hi Gavin, there can’t be too many of your videos that I haven’t watched to date. I watched this one when you released it and remember you talking about the weight. I just watched your latest Christmas video meeting up with your pals at the wood and having a “Cheese and Beer” party.
What I like most about your videos is your subtle relaxed manner fused with some dry humour where appropriate. Your quote from the latest video comes to mind re your sense of humour when describing your laden self walking to your permission, “I’m sweating like a German film star”.
(I had to ask someone what you were referring to as I’ve never watched such a film, honestly !)
Keep the videos coming buddy as they are highly entertaining.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Hi Gavin, there can’t be too many of your videos that I haven’t watched to date. I watched this one when you released it and remember you talking about the weight. I just watched your latest Christmas video meeting up with your pals at the wood and having a “Cheese and Beer” party.
What I like most about your videos is your subtle relaxed manner fused with some dry humour where appropriate. Your quote from the latest video comes to mind re your sense of humour when describing your laden self walking to your permission, “I’m sweating like a German film star”.
(I had to ask someone what you were referring to as I’ve never watched such a film, honestly !)
Keep the videos coming buddy as they are highly entertaining.

Thanks very much, really glad you're enjoying the content. All being well, I shall have another video up in a couple of weeks. I'm back out with the fellas and we've set ourselves a minimal kit challenge which should put some bushcraft skills to the test.

 

[Tony]

Good stuff, that looks like a great adventure, keep them coming