Cycling UK Forum

pwa wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:01am My worry over camping in woods (real woods) would be midges, just before sunset and early in the morning. I find I encounter a higher density of midges near trees than I do in the middle of a field. And they do get in the way of enjoyment.

Have never been aware of what I take to be "midges" in any of the woods I have actually camped/bivvied in but some woods do seem to attract flies of some sort - maybe something to do with the types of trees, the season, amount of light. breeze, humidity?
I prefer woods with a bit of light.

Sweep wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:32am

pwa wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:01am My worry over camping in woods (real woods) would be midges, just before sunset and early in the morning. I find I encounter a higher density of midges near trees than I do in the middle of a field. And they do get in the way of enjoyment.

Have never been aware of what I take to be "midges" in any of the woods I have actually camped/bivvied in but some woods do seem to attract flies of some sort - maybe something to do with the types of trees, the season, amount of light. breeze, humidity?
I prefer woods with a bit of light.

it is something I notice when walking the dog. I can cross fields with barely any insect action, then as soon as I enter woodland the flying insects make themselves known. And when cycling in warmer climes, I try not to stop near woodland to do maintenance or whatever. Especially conifers. That, along with river banks, is where the mossies are. I was once asked to construct a picnic area in woodland beside a river (benches, bbq, etc), and I knew nobody would want to use it because the midges were almost unbearable. I was glad to get out of there.

pwa wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:56am

Sweep wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:32am

pwa wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 8:01am My worry over camping in woods (real woods) would be midges, just before sunset and early in the morning. I find I encounter a higher density of midges near trees than I do in the middle of a field. And they do get in the way of enjoyment.

Have never been aware of what I take to be "midges" in any of the woods I have actually camped/bivvied in but some woods do seem to attract flies of some sort - maybe something to do with the types of trees, the season, amount of light. breeze, humidity?
I prefer woods with a bit of light.

it is something I notice when walking the dog. I can cross fields with barely any insect action, then as soon as I enter woodland the flying insects make themselves known. And when cycling in warmer climes, I try not to stop near woodland to do maintenance or whatever. Especially conifers. That, along with river banks, is where the mossies are. I was once asked to construct a picnic area in woodland beside a river (benches, bbq, etc), and I knew nobody would want to use it because the midges were almost unbearable. I was glad to get out of there.

I think that the two main factors are the lower wind speed and the availability of protective habitat in dead and dying vegetation.

Jonathan

Three reasons not to camp under trees:

1. Falling branches (have seen myself a near-death experience for a family).
2. Bird droppings damaging tent fabric
3. Rain drops continuing after the rain has stopped.
4. Shade preventing the tent drying out on a sunny morning (after rain or dew).

Sorry, that's four!

Of course, there are good reasons as well to camp under trees. My solution s to camp near them.

If a site is unsuitable due to flying insects or whatever, move on. Where else do you get to nod off to bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence, or the ability of a living organism to produce light, is both breathtaking and rare. Fireflies’ trademark flashing light is a well-known example of bioluminescence. It is generated through a chemical reaction in special organs in their abdomens. Chemicals, enzymes, oxygen and energy-transporting molecules within cells all coalesce to create light. Fireflies control their flashing by regulating the oxygen level in their light-producing organs.

https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/20 ... fireflies/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... -pollution

horizon wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 11:51am Three reasons not to camp under trees:

1. Falling branches (have seen myself a near-death experience for a family).
2. Bird droppings damaging tent fabric
3. Rain drops continuing after the rain has stopped.
4. Shade preventing the tent drying out on a sunny morning (after rain or dew).

Sorry, that's four!

Of course, there are good reasons as well to camp under trees. My solution s to camp near them.

I realise you aren't being dogmatic horizon but isn't 1 a bit unlikely? Despite all the talk of "widowmakers"? I did once move a tarp set-up after taking a closer look at a branch which looked somewhat dead,but my near death experience with a tree had nothing to do with bikes or camping. I was sat in a car in a carpark eating a sandwich. Suddenly there was a great creaking noise and a branch itself the size of a large tree fell towards me. Three cars in front were crushed but luckily it fell short of me. No-one was in the other cars. Life is dangerous. Wherever.