2015 holds so much ... a wedding (my own), a busy work schedule, an even busier life schedule.
I find the only way I can effectively manage my time is to treat everything as a project ... outline the objectives, detail the scope, decide on the planning and execution ... sounds like a soul less methodical way to approach my riding but it will enable 2015 to be used to its fullest.
One of the easiest and most rewarding activities is the simplicity in sleeping outside, ride out to a spot with friends, find somewhere interesting, sleep out to awake to a glorious view.
The most time efficient means is to stay local, sure when the opportunity arises I travel though when I have a single night then this time needs to be maximised.
Kielder reservoir is within 60 miles of my house give or take ... a longish ride of mixed on/offroad surfaces or an hours drive and a shorter ride in.
The reservoir has over the years been the focus of many art based projects leaving in their wake a serious of installations forming to the trained outdoor enthusiasts eye a series of spots for an overnight bivi.
With my first sizeable race of the year ,
Rovaniemi 150, looming the first in this small project to sleep out at each of these installations was achieved.
An early evening start led to a drive to a nearby village and a 2 hour ride to the planned overnight location accompanied by fellow overnighting enthusiast, Richard Elsdon.
The night ride in darkness was further chilled by sleating snow ... lights reflecting off the white flakes reduced visibility to a few feet beyond our front wheels.
Freyas Cabin, sitting close to the shore of the reservoir, was our overnight room with a view. The cabin, though more a shelter as open on 2 sides, is one of a pair with it sitting on the southern shore looking directly across to its counterpart Robins Cabin on the north shore.
Wet floor and poorly orientated so as to allow the wind to whip through this still was a preferable option to no shelter at all and at least provided a roof and seats upon which to set up a stove.
The view in the morning did not disappoint though cold hands and feet meant after packing we didn't linger for long.
Hopefully February will see the next shelter overnighted.
