Solo Summit Camp with a Bike - Slemish, Northern Ireland

[@colinpratt859]

Next episode 101 uses for socks when not on your feet! great show. Hope restart take note of the narrow straps.

[@LaidBackHomesteader]

Hi Stephen. I know its easy to say now but if you carried a piece of plywood it would be good to keep that trangia stove level. Thats what i use when i go camping 👍

[@StephenJReid]

Good idea, although it would add a bit of bulk to my kit.

[@Retro-Hamer]

Nearly every St Paddy's day I used to walk from Ballykeel to slemish and climb if the weather was good. Drive out when ever I can get home and last climb it before my wedding in 2020. Great vid bud

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! 🙂

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks some walk!

[@Ravenblade86]

I was on the top of Slemish for the very first time (even though I've lived not much further away from it than yourself) when we had some cousins visiting from New Zealand. Managed to get a glorious day between all the storm we had at the time so we got some great views, but I was suprised it didn't have a more established path considering how many people climb it. Definitely wouldn't have been wanting to camp on the summit that day though, the wind was a fierce when we got to the summit plateau!

[@StephenJReid]

It’s a deceptive little mountain. Has a disproportionate number of mountain rescue call-outs for being such a small climb. Sunset is amazing on the summit.

[@SteRumbelow]

When you started dancing with the bike, and seeing the shots you were getting along with it, all I could think of was how this is all fuel for the mind. Hope you’re doing well! 😌

[@StephenJReid]

Definitely fuel for the mind. I find these solo adventures to be quite therapeutic

[@markrmonteith]

Fantastic red sunset glow shot with the bike!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Mark! Had that image in my head for weeks before doing this

[@andypotts8062]

Another superb video...as usual quality film work..i felt your pain when carrying the bike..in my mountain biking days we used to carry our bikes up to Donard and then have a race to Tollymore...hopefully someday I will meet you riding your bike down Slemish....many thanks and best wishes

[@StephenJReid]

Riding down Donard sounds terrifying! Haha I’ll not be riding back down Slemish anytime soon, I don’t quite have that fearless streak that MTB requires

[@aoife_outdoors]

Brilliant video, as always! Those shots of the sunset was absolutely gorgeous. Instead of using the little pot stand on the alcohol burner I got a slightly bigger stand from The Bushcraft Store - I think it's called a bottle stove? My cup fits in it, so it doesn't add any bulk. But it's definitely easier to tip over when the water finally boils. 😂

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you Aoife! yeah I definitely need a better solution for that stove! 🙈 Was planning that sunset shot for weeks, was one of the first images I had in my head for this video, nearly missed it too!

[@jeronomosp]

The outdoor edition of family fortunes - forecast said - beautiful sunrise, mother nature said - uh, uh! Character building stuff!

[@StephenJReid]

🤣

[@pixelpeter3883]

That's taking 'push bike' to a whole different level!

[@StephenJReid]

Haha thanks!

[@PhilProctor0]

Definitely a challenge. I use that same stove type. They normally come with a simmer lid which you use to put them out. Using the lid melts the seal and then you have meths all over your kit (he says from experience). Also I have the same pot stand. Carry a cheap mini leatherman like tool in your food pack and take it off with the pliers. Great videos by the way. Keep the coming. Really inspiring, though I'll give carrying my bike a miss 😅

[@StephenJReid]

Leatherman a good idea! Although I’d still need my sock to grip the bottom 😂 Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kc3718]

been taking a fully loaded bike up mountains for 30 years, and that system looks like it makes a hard job harder and heavier !

[@StephenJReid]

What system have you been using? Good to know if there’s a better option. Not sure how this makes it much heavier, the straps don’t weigh very much.

[@kc3718]

@@StephenJReid you literally carrying the entire weight of the bicycle the entire time, intsead of a combination of pushing, pulling and suitcasing and shouldering, thereby utilising different sets of muscles for shorter periods of time and decreasing the work done and the areas doing the work. A change is as good as a rest, or as good as you are going to get taking a fully loaded bike up a moutain.

[@StephenJReid]

I did have a go at pushing pulling this bike fully loaded and honestly this was a much faster way to get it up the mountain. I pushed it up to the base and it was slower than I was with it on my back. Although this is a particularly sharp and steep climb. I could see the advantages in pushing on a more gradual climb

[@davidpoots8362]

And that's how to turn a gentle walk into an adventure. With all that drama I'm not surprised about the wet bed, nothing to be ashamed of, it was great entertainment.

[@StephenJReid]

Haha, not the first time I’ve wet the bed on a camping trip 😂 although I think I was 8yr old last time 🙈

[@alysonhale3361]

Singed sock, recalcitrant stove, wet sleeping bag and two ton hike a bike... I apologise for laughing but it was funny. Love your channel.

[@StephenJReid]

😁😁😁 Thanks for watching and commenting Alyson!

[@TerraVenture]

Killer sunset sequence 👌🚴🏻🌄

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks! Took me about 5 attempts to get it right 😅

[@colincampbell4261]

Real bikepacking backpacking.

[@mkemper8322]

Great video, but OMG what a hell walking with the bike 😂 First and last time I guess. Next time just hide the bike in a hedge somewhere 😝

[@StephenJReid]

Haha, I’ll not be doing this again in a hurry. More bike related camping coming up though!

[@nigelmcardle4112]

What an effort to back pack your bike up the mountain, impressive, love the video.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Nigel! Was feeling it in my legs for a few days!

[@mr.miniaturesmodels8465]

8:13 - “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle- victorious” ~ Vince Lombardi

[@StephenJReid]

Amazing quote! The tricky part is making sure your battles are “good” ones.

[@MarkFerguson1966]

There's wiser chewing grass 😂 Great craic as per usual.

[@StephenJReid]

Instructions unclear, I’ve been chewing grass for 5mins now and am none the wiser 🤪

[@jamesoutandaboutn.i227]

Brilliant matey. You got a good night for it

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks James! Yeah was a last min, go go go, when I saw the forecast

[@jamesoutandaboutn.i227]

@@StephenJReid there the best ones ha

[@dessiediamond7414]

Another great video, however you should be using the simmer ring to extinguish the flame. You run the risk of destroying the o ring, but you knew that already 😂😂

[@StephenJReid]

Lesson learned! 🙈

[@andrewvickers4487]

Dam dum daaaaa! That was brilliant. 👏

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Andrew!

[@steveschnetzler5471]

12:25 epic shot, how many tries did you try to get the framing right? I was looking forward to you riding it down the hill, followed by the drone..."didn't happen"! Nice "one in a lifetime" adventure, Thanks.

[@StephenJReid]

Totally missed the framing on the first two takes, slightly messed up the third, stood in the wrong place on 4th and got it on the 5th

[@abedmellal2084]

Well done mate 👏, I know how it feels, I've done keeper hill 3 years ago on Xmas Eve on a hardtail, it was not easy add the two feet of snow which didn't make it fun at times, but was worth every bit of it, since then I did things like the old kenmare road to Killarney and back and that was epic, if you have time you should try it, you won't regret it, well done 👍

[@StephenJReid]

I have a few more bike related plans for this year 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@alysonmarie]

Absolutely stunning shots! I wonder if you can rig some type of waist strap to help put some of the weight on your hips, like a traditional backpacking pack?

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Alyson. Definitely think the design could be improved a lot for heavy load carrying. I’d prob start by wrapping foam around parts of the lower frame and pedal as it kept poking me in the back.

[@alysonmarie]

@@StephenJReid Ooof. I don’t know how you did it, I salute you!

[@that_which_is_not]

You’re also not supposed to snuff it with the lid with the o-ring, you damage the seal. There’s a simmer ring that sits on top of the lid that you close off, to snuff the fire 👍

[@StephenJReid]

Left the simmer ring at home 🙈 lesson learned methinks

[@SVFresh2Salty]

Have you found a waterproof camera bag yet ? And not just one with a rain cover . I use pelican cases on the boat but look for recommendations on a bag to use to go ashore

[@StephenJReid]

Most of my camera bags are water resistant, but none are waterproof entirely.

[@MrWrob32]

Stephen that was beautiful just beautiful

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Seamus! 🙂

[@thomas_24102]

I climbed it not long ago in may and the top of the mountain was foundering

[@StephenJReid]

Yup gets windy up there!

[@Tiffer1989]

Summit camps are so good. I camped on Corannabinnia in Mayo recently with amazing sunset views of Clew Bay & Achill Island. What was your favourite ever summit camp?

[@StephenJReid]

That’s an amazing view from up there! I’ve been up Croagh Patrick, imagine it’s incredible at sunrise/sunset if you get a clear summit. Hmmm my favourite summit camp. Good question. I think so far Eagle Mountain in the Mournes was pretty good. I’m still holding out for a sunrise with a cloud inversion.

[@bonariablackie4047]

Put the lid on as soon as you stop using the stove. Best of all, get a cheap lixada box stove and put the alcohol stove inside. More stable, more secure and IF YOU PUT THE LID ON, you won't set fire to your tent. You are lucky you didn't burn alive.

[@StephenJReid]

I couldn’t put the lid on though, that’s the problem. I couldn’t get it on until I had removed the pot stand. I think I’ll stick with gas! 😂

[@alanrobertson5497]

Definitely a tough one, fair play to you. ❤❤

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Alan!

[@SteRumbelow]

I’m sure it hurt getting up there with that lot on your back (you’re mad!) but it was good entertainment value at least! 😂

[@StephenJReid]

Was a tad painful 😂

[@thomasshafe]

And i thought i was crazy doing my first solo hike up there in the dark to catch a sunrise.

[@StephenJReid]

Did you manage to catch a better sunrise than I did?

[@thomasshafe]

No the fog just got brighter. I should have left home an hour later than I initially did. When I was driving home again the sun was splitting the trees.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah it’s often covered in clouds in the mornings. Clear sunrises are rare thwre

[@scatterdspirit_1234]

22:50 I swear I'm hearing Minecraft sheep

[@StephenJReid]

😁

[@sixwestpoint]

Weather Forecasts in Ireland - Stephen you should really know better !🤣

[@StephenJReid]

I live in hope 😂

[@chrislynn1152]

Is that a dji mini 2 ur using bud

[@StephenJReid]

Mini 3 Pro

[@adventurousdavee]

Thanks for the inspiration not to go up Slemish with a bike 😂😂😂😂

[@StephenJReid]

Happy to have inspired you! 😂

[@adventurousdavee]

@@StephenJReid 👌👌😂

[@wordpress4373]

whats the point of carring the bike up if you re not going to descent on the bike?

[@StephenJReid]

🤷🏼‍♂️

[@chrislynn1152]

U shud do a 360 photo from ur drone bud

[@StephenJReid]

I’ve done that a few times. Don’t use them in videos though

[@chrislynn1152]

@@StephenJReid tht sunset 360 photo wud b class

[@TruesdaleTV]

Ur a mad man using a alcohol stove inside ur tent lol so dangerous lol

[@StephenJReid]

Next time: Pizza Oven

[@SteRumbelow]

@@StephenJReidjust wheel a full on gas barbecue up there. 😂

[@TruesdaleTV]

​@@StephenJReid 😂🍕👍

[@Belfastlad12]

Thanks for your videos Stephen its actually inspired to me to go camping and explore our beautiful country

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you, that’s the best comment I like to see! 🙂 get out and explore