October 2nd 2021 - Kidical Mass Ride - Inverness - Big Dummies final ride :(

 Saturday 2nd October seen us join the inaugural Kidical Mass ride in Inverness. 

These rides are similar in style to the Critical Mass rides through cities and towns, as well as Inverness to highlight to local authorities the need for local Authorities to plan for, create and first off recognise the need for safe space for those cycling in their areas. These rides are to hammer that point with the emphasis on safe cycling for children throughout the Highland area. 

It was a great day with Brian joining Caleb and I   for the organised ride through Inverness to Bute park where there was lots going on for the kids and adults. A big success and we will definitely be back. 

This was also the final ride for me on my Big Dummy as the week after this it was sold to another family. 

A fantastic bike that served us well in all the many roles and guises it took on. 

Jamie 

September 25th 2021 - Big Dummy ride - Local Shopping run ++ long ride home ;)

 September was a pretty bleak month here with rain and wind being the two constants in the crazy weather. 

So with a slight break in the wetness I took the Big Dummy into town as I had a few errand sto run and also was desperate to have a nice ride on it as I was certain now I was putting it up for sale as now Caleb is riding either tandem or on his own so doesn't use it and while I wanted to keep a cargo in the family I felt like a change and had finally decided that yes, I would build a Larry V's Harry Bullitt. But after all the history and miles I would certainly have trouble letting go of the Dummy. 

Anyway, a really nice ride to town then back up the hills and the long loop home made that decision even harder. It was fantastic ride and even loaded it just kept rolling. I did stop at the donut counter at Lidls to get some fuel for my motor though :) 

Jamie

September 2021 - Flying Scot Tandem rides.

 Well after the disappointment and hassle with the Jack Taylor tandem we got a few rides in on the trusty Flying Scot Tandem. A few local rides for the tandem. 

8th August 2021 - Jack Taylor Tourist Tandem - Pick up -

 Jack Taylor Tourist Tandem

Whilst down in Perth visiting family I seen a Gumtree ad for a Jack Taylor Tourist Tandem.  It was a very reasonable price (cheap)  and for anyone that knows, I am a huge Taylor Bros fan as my Super Clubman is one of my all time favourite rides and is my go to retro ride. 

Anyway, it was an old couple selling it not far from where I was staying so I made arrangements to come and have a look early on Sunday morning. All good so far. 

When I arrived all looked pretty good, it was advertised as a 22" which is on the big side for me but I thought I could make it work. It was clearly unused for a few years but I gave it a pretty good inspection and was happy when I drove away.  

We drove home the next day and left it in the van as it was late. 

When I did get it out the van on the Tuesday it was clear that it was on the very big side for me. Measurements and a quick look back at the old build books showed that number tandem be a 23" - 20" tandem, not a 22". This was certainly a big disappointment and was also mad at myself as I just should have checked measurements when it was already on the big side. Live and learn. 

I was lucky that a friend had been looking  for a tandem in this size for him and his son so within a few hours it was passed onto another family. 

There was a few issues with this frame that needed a lot of work done to it, so I worked with my friend to make it right and hopefully he was happy with how it transpired. While I did lose quite a bit with this in the end, it went to a friend, and reminded myself why I am usually great with these buys, because I always check everything and do my homework, this Sunday morning that didn't happen.  

As an aside, I should have known as I posted a photo of the bike online and Kew Taylor who knows me said, 'that's too big for you'  , and it was. Ken should now and I should listen :) 

I did mange to keep the front rack for it as this wasn't for this frame so I did end up with a nice JT touring rack. 

Lovely while it lasted. 

JULY 2021 - Flying Scot Tandem update

Have been doing some work to the tandem to sort it a bit nicer for us as besides setting up the stoker end for Caleb I haven't ever got round to the little things I keep meaning to do.

I gave it a strip down and a semi deep clean which was well needed and then fitted some Bluemel mudguards in red that I had buried in the loft for years. I originally bought some new SKS guards in silver and then remembered these. Tried both and much preferred these as I think the red suites it. Caleb agrees, so all good. 

I also finally swapped the bars and mismatched brake levers out. I know they were mismatched for a reason as the left one was a STI lever with the gear outlet carrying the auxiliary rear brake cable with the other being a standard non aero brake lever. So these were switched out to a set of  Tektro aero levers onto a nice Nitto B135 Randonneur handlebar, one of my favourites. New red cables and a long overdue service seen it ready for the next years adventures. 

Jamie

 

July 25th 2021 - Big Dummy with sidecar and kayak to the beach

 July 25th 2021 

Such a glorious few days and with a bit of heat returning it was decided we needed, or more Caleb wanted to take the surf kayak to the local beach, just a few farms away to a nice quite sheltered beach we visit often. 

We thought we would put the sidecar on the Big Dummy and using the braces we had made up for this job previously we would take the kayak and the rest of the gear.

Not a problem for the mighty Dummy and a nice few hours paddling, mainly by Caleb as it was still too cold for my warm blood, and a ride home to warm up. 

Cargoing at it's finest. 

Saturday 30th April 2022 - Blog update on the updates ..................

 Okay! Latest edit - 30/04/2022

So I never really got round to continuing to update the blog but as always I keep going out riding, having fun, mini adventures etc that I really should keep documenting for myself and maybe my son. The more I ride the further I am falling behind with this and the more I put it off. 

While I realise nobody else really looks at it except for the rare visitor who is most likely lost or stumbles upon it from some obscure post, but none the less it is something I like to document. If anyone else likes it please let me know.  

I will attempt to post up a load of the more interesting rides and bring it up to date, these will most likely be more photo posts with a brief description rather than my usual rambling. 

Was meant to be out this afternoon heading south on the Mercian but seen as how it's raining now and family is out for an hour or so, I may as well make a start. 

Wish me luck ;) 

Jamie