October 6th 2015 - RIP Ken Taylor

 It is with great sadness I learnt the passing of Ken Taylor on the evening of the 6th October 2025.

One of life's true gentleman. A privilege to know him, however briefly in his long and well lived life.
Condolences and thoughts to Honor and family.
Rest in Peace with your brothers now.

'Have a nice ride'

Jamie Dyer

22 October 2025 - Cairngorm holiday ride with Caleb - Pugsley and Karate Monkey

 I have spent yesterday and today down in the Cairngorms with Caleb doing a bit of riding. I managed to blag a few days off while Caleb was still on school holidays and not working during the week.

Yesterday afternoon when we got down was a complete washout, so not much happening there but today dawned lovely and we made a plan. So from where we were staying at Kincraig, to have breakfast at Rothiemurchus, then head out the Eanaich valley to Loch Eaniach. A past favourite from Macretro and Brian and I rides. Maybe not Zigzags 

Was pretty chilly early on with cloud still covering the tops of the mountain but otherwise sunny.  I was on my Pugsley with the Nate tyres removed and the old faithful Endomorph rear and Larry front, Caleb was on his Karate Monkey 29'er.

We did a lot of exploring and side tracking, went down to Loch an Eilein loop before heading back to the junction to head down the Eanaich valley.

One surprising section was the little loch at the sort of five way trail junction where you turn towards Loch Eanaich through the gate was virtually empty!  It took me a minute to realise where I was. We only made it a a bit down this track to just where you turn off and up the steep hill to start with the shower that was covering the whole valley and hills. We pondered for a few minutes whether to get soaked or turn round and head to Glenmore and Loch Morlich where the sun was still shining. We headed for the sun 

It was a great ride to Glenmore and as with the loch the river was very low. Another observation was a junction not far over the river where I remember having a photo taken with my 1X1  on a Macretro ride. Caleb duly took a photo and I told him of the Macretro ride and it was a couple of years back from memory.  I have just had a look and it was the Macretro Cairngorm ride back in 2015! , the one where we went Rothiemurchus, Glenmore and Boat of Garten then back to Aviemore.   Time flies hey, and I did well to spot the place as the log has seen more solid days that's for sure.

We had some lunch at Glenmore then the rain became more steady so we retreated back to Aviemore down the trail. With the rain still coming down as we packed up. It was forecast for the afternoon so we made our way back north, stopping for refreshments at Brians along the way.

Good to get out for a few days.

Jamie

Sat 13th September 2025 Pugsley Loch More Loop

 I was out and about on the Pugsley around Loch More on the weekend.

I was out with a friend just exploring the back loops and logging roads so nothing too strenuous, just a relaxing way to spend the afternoon in some great scenery. Also got to try out the Surly frame bag I got Caleb for his Karate Monkey. Worked great and for once I didn't need my backpack to carry my stuff. I may be borrowing it more often ;)

The Pugsley is still a great riding bike, built it up from frame about 12 or 13 years ago now and still enjoy it as much as ever. It's had a few changes over the years and the last couple of years seems to get a slight makeover before the Autumn/Winter to keep things a bit different and fresh.  Biggest change a couple of winters back was the addition of a rear derailleur and cassette after 10 years of single speed, then last year a change from the tried and trusted Jones style bars to the Sim Works Little Nick bars, which I am still really loving using. So for this year,  I am finally going to build a new set of wheels next month for it as the rear hub is shot so picked up some Holy Darylls and will get a couple of rear XT hubs. These should come in a bit lighter than the Large Marges.  
Hopefully will get them done in the next month as the Pugs always see's more use once the weather turns.

Jamie

Sunday 10th August 2025 - Jack Taylor ride, meet up - Stokesley - Jack Taylor Super Tourist

 Sunday the 10th of August seen myself and Caleb once again making the 900 odd mile round trip south to Stokesley for the annual Jack Taylor ride/get together.

This year I was on the '83 Super Tourist while Caleb chose to ride his much loved Wester Ross. While my Super Tourist is always ready to roll it was still given a quick once over and lubed as it hasn't seen too much action the last 6 months as my Super Clubman is my everyday ride Jack Taylor.
Caleb's Wester Ross had a set of SKS guards fitted and while a bit tight in places on the front due to the close clearance, they worked fine for the weekend and the trip away.
We left home early hours of Saturday morning with a 9 hour drive in front of us according to Google maps. It was a bit wet when we left but just got sunnier and warmer as we went south. We had a hotel booked at Stockton on Tees so arrived there late afternoon, grabbed some dinner and then some much needed rest.
Sunday dawned sunny and warm which was a welcome sight. We were up and out pretty early for the 15 minute drive to the start where we pulled in to be greeted by Eric who was just getting setup. We quickly pulled the bikes out, adjusted and sorted and parked up while we got some breakfast. The rest of the morning was spent catching up with fellow enthusiasts, friends, many of which I only really see here these days, and looking at bikes and chatting about bikes. I really love this event as it is so sociable. It was great to see Caleb off on his own discussing the different bikes, components etc while being so welcomed. Quite a bit of interest in his Wester Ross especially as his is a Scottish built one where most down that way were built just out of Whitby.
We then set off on the ride over now familiar ground on a route that would take us to Swainby where we would all regroup for lunch at the Rusty Bike cafe. The day had gotten hotter as it went and it was brilliant riding weather as usual, over rolling hills through farmland on small, narrow, and very quiet back roads. Perfect.
Again a very sociable lunch before a similar ride back to Stokesley completing a really lovely circuitous route. It seemed to go by very quickly as it was a relaxed and chatty ride.
Once back we packed up and then sat about with a cold drink before eventually saying out goodbyes and heading for an early dinner at a nice hotel recommended by one of the locals. Nice it was as well.
Unfortunately Ken couldn't be with us again this year, he has been in care getting physio after a fall and so we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery and Eric will often call in and see him and give him our best wishes as well as visiting passing on our best wishes to Honor.
Somehow came away with some bits and pieces as usual, Eric had given me one of the original NOS cycling caps he got from Ken many many years ago, and then realising he hadn't any for Caleb he gave him one from the batch mad from one of the bike shows in America in the 1980's. Caleb didn't take it off for the next three days!
I did also buy Kens old musette bag. It was for a good cause the money being raised and the fact it was Kens I was happy to have it.
Caleb and I stayed at Stockton on Tees again as we had planned on heading to Grossmont to ride the North York Moors Heritage Railway. Caleb had been working so hard this school holiday with his job and with Heather being not well for most of it I thought he needed to have a break away before heading back to school.
So we had a great few days away as the glorious weather continued and the steam train trip and engine sheds etc were the perfect break. Old bikes, old trains and we both had a great few days away.
Caleb was back out on his Wester Ross again today so long may it keep him enthused for old bikes.

So here are some photos though Caleb took quite a lot with his film camera so once they are developed I will copy and post them here.

Jamie

12 April 2025 - Mercian Coast ride - Mercian King of Mercia

 What with work being so busy lately, as is normal for spring time, it means that I have barely any time at home during the week to get things done and so when the weekend arrives, with jobs needing attention I seem to be able to grab only a few hours here and there for riding. Which means short local rides the last few weekends. 

This weekend was no exception with finally managing to grab a bit of time late on Saturday afternoon for a meander around the coast roads. Not very long but a nice ride to help clear the head. 

I pulled the Mercian out as I wanted to change the tyres  over from the 30mm to the 30.33 as they look a good bit larger volume on the Jack Taylor Super Clubman and ride really nicely, very supple and quite forgiving on the rough tarmac around here. So I thought I would swap wheels around and see how they felt. Having been commuting on the Mercian recently I was confident I would be able notice any difference.  They are both Jackie Brown tyres from the old Rivendell moulds just different sizes. 

This now gave a slight purpose to the ride and so I picked a route that would take in the various types of tarmac round here from bad potholed main road to better but gravel strewn singletrack farm roads through to dirt farm tracks. From the first ride out of the yard it was apparent they felt better and certainly are part of the planted solid feeling of the Super Clubman as it felt even more stable and planted than usual. This secure feeling extended to all surfaces so certainly a noticeable difference. Now to try and find another pair, not easy I think. 

Jamie