BIKE PACKING (BP) - THE TEST - Slippery Stones - 19th Aug 2023

Wednesday 19th July

Test Ride and Camp - Slippery Stones - Ladybower, Peak District

So, I bought my new gravel bike back in September 2022, and had a £150 voucher to use before the end of March, just two weeks after returning from NZ.

Going the full hog, I spent the £150 and more…on full bike packing gear. Taking it with me to Mallorca and back, and not using it once, I was getting bored of talking about it rather than doing it…but the UK weather was not helping!

An opportunity arose! A cycle out to Slippery Stones, was an ideal first test, on a forecasted sunny evening and morning.

Surprisingly apprehensive, part of which was cycling with such a load at rush hour. But irrespective the bike rolled quite well, of course uphill needed more effort, but it wasn’t a race…and I managed Stanage over to Ladybower without putting a foot down.

Arriving at my destination at 7.30pm - I unloaded the bike and set up camp. I did notice lots of tiny flies, but thought nothing of it, and continued with a coffee and some rice and tinned curry!

The flies got worse, which forced me into my tent…and it wasn’t the greatest sleep!

I nearly fell down a bank in the middle of the night, getting up for a little relief….but emerging fully at about 8am the sky was full of what I realised were midges. They engulfed me, and I still had to pack all my kit away, then load onto the bike.

I just tried to stay cool and methodical, task by task….but intermittently wiping by bare skin, especially face and legs…they engulfed me, no matter where I went, they followed!

I later learnt midges love, dawn and dusk….they are attracted by C02 and emit pheromone when they (females) bite, which attracts more of their pals! They don’t like direct sunshine and wind of course.

I cycled the direct route home on the A57, and on arriving at my gaff, couldn’t believe the multitude of bites on my legs, but also on my face….so DEET next time in the kit bag, and also a head net! And this is fun!? 

One down…I’ll persevere to complete at least five trips, and then reassess….we will see!