Sunday 11 November 2018

Sunday 11th November - Jack Taylor ride out to Duncansby Head

Back out today at lunch for a few hours.
It had rained overnight but was sunny and not too much in the way of clouds about and just a light breeze adding to the very cold air. Though for up here it pretty much counts as lovely.
The plan was reasonably simple, finish the jobs I needed to get done around the house and then about midday Heather was taking Caleb for his horse ride so after taking Spot the dog out I would go for a ride and maybe we would meet up at our friends later on.
I decided to take the Jack Taylor out and head the opposite direction to yesterday and head out Canisbay war memorial and pay my respects before going on past John O'Groats to Duncansby Head. Stop for a coffee and cake at Groats on the way back past, get home and then if enough light and the timing was right I would take the Big Dummy and head back out.
Started out well if cold, really nice, clear, crisp day with the roads still wet, though with the temp so low and no winds they weren't going to dry today at any rate. It was a really nice relaxed ride to the memorial situated on the quiet singletrack road above Canisbay. I stopped, payed my respects for a couple of minutes, sat for a while on the grass taking in the silence in contemplation, then headed off towards JoG's.
At this stage it was cold but clear and sunny and I got to the junction where I could turn down into Groats or head up the road to Duncansby and asked myself do I want coffee and cake before or after? I wanted it before but knew I might not make it to the climb if I stopped now. It was a really nice ride up and even though I am out here regularly for pleasure and work it always looks lovely. It's a steady grind up but the views are worth it. I was convinced that I am too old to be running Dura Ace 7400 race gearing and vowed it will return with a triple front and wide range rear :)

On the way back I pulled into one of the little cafe's only to find it closed and not wanting to head down to the JoG's waterfront area I just turned for home. The clouds had started rolling in and it had dropped a few degrees so thought I would head back along the coast this time and turn back onto the inland road at Mey. Another long but steady climb up from Gills bay revealed to clouds closing from the south at a fair pace taking any heat and light from the day and so pushed on taking a couple of dirt short cuts onto the back road. By this stage the temp had dropped quite considerably and I was sure it was only about 5 degree or so.
Got home and warmed up and decided against getting back out on the Dummy as Heather was on her way home and I wanted to get the dog out before it got dark. Lucky I did as it rained not long after.
So another good weathered ride out on the Jack Taylor. Really liking this machine and it's great handling, very surefooted but very relaxed to ride. 
My plan for the Jack Taylor is to keep the finish original for as long as I can, which means lots of cleaning, waxing and keeping maybe harsh winter riding to a minimum. It's definitely a keeper along with my Merckx and Mercian. I will slowly now build it up with more fitting long term components in a more touring/randonneur type style that I prefer and seen as how it is a beautiful machine to ride now those tweaks will make it even more special. In the short term I will change the bars and stem for a set of Nitto B135 bars and a 80mm Nitto stem and change the Dura Ace levers for a set of Mafacs to go with the Racer brakes already fitted. Will most likely have this done for a old school ride in a couple of weeks time as I have the stuff sitting there and just need to get some bar tape.
Hope anyone reading this managed to either get a ride in or at least had a good weekend.

Jamie

The view from home over to Hoy on the right and Dunnett Head on the left DSCN5493 DSCN5500 DSCN5502 Looking across to the island of Stroma in the foreground and Orkney across the water in the background DSCN5510 Nice place to sit and be thankful. Lest We Forget DSCN5515 DSCN5518 Across to Orkney DSCN5519 DSCN5523 Out of Gills Bay looking back along the coast towards John O'Groats DSCN5527 Top of the rise and looking south DSCN5529 Same road and same view as the second photo above. DSCN5534

Saturday 10 November 2018

10th November 2018 - Unusual Saturday commute on the Jack Taylor


Well today I had to go into work after lunch to read a test I set up yesterday, I don't work Saturday as we aren't even open but I said I would go and sort it rather than wait until next Tuesday for a result. It was such a lovely day, sun out, cool crisp air and a stiff breeze from the south west which mad it a push to town but a slightly easier return.
I had to be there for around 2 so decided to head out on the Jack Taylor, do my usual commute with a photo stop at Dunnett on the way and then take a few small detours and photos on the way home.  I couldn't muck around too long as I had to be back for 4.30 at the latest as we had dinner booked at a cafĂ© in town for 5.30 and then go to the fireworks and bonfire in town.
It was a really nice commute, I don't know whether it's because I was really just having a ride as I didn't have to be there at a specific time or because I hadn't ridden to work on the Jack Taylor, either way it didn't feel like I was going to work. I was only there about 25minutes and then I was back on the road, back through town and across the river and then back out tohome through castletown and Dunnett stopping afor a couple of photos here and there. Got home just on 4pm as it was just starting to get dark so timing was great for once.
The Jack Taylor rode brilliantly as usual but I think as I am going to leave it in it's patina rather than repaint I will limit it's winter riding and will start fitting it with the components that will stay on it and are better suited to it. Brian and I have a ride in a couple of weeks so I will swap out the bar, stem (Nitto) and brake levers (Mafac) to those I have waiting and try them on this ride.
So not a bad run to work and certainly a nice way to do the 48klm commute. 
I hope everyone else had some of the good weather this weekend as well.

Jamie

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Monday 5 November 2018

05 November 2018 - Caleb and Big Dummy ride - Hot Chocolate and cake at JOG's

Made the most of the nice day up here in the north of Scotland. 
Caleb and I got the Big Dummy sorted and ready to go before lunch as we knew we had to make the most of the sunny weather as it hasn't been too good lately. Sun was out but as usual for this time of year there wasn't that much heat getting through as it was quite cold, which meant getting well wrapped up. 
There was also a very strong wind coming from the south west which did help with decision making on where we would head. We were just out for a ride with no particular destination in mind this morning but we had decided to head along the higher non coastal road towards John O'Groats taking in a few detours and small tracks to explore with a warming afternoon tea at Groats. 
Luckily we had the wind behind us at the start but I knew I would pay for it later on the return leg but tried to block that from my mind. 
It was a great ride out to Groats with lots of stops for photos, watching Buzzards as well as lots of the smaller birds making the most of the good weather. 
We made it out to John O'Groats eventually and warmed up with a coffee and hot chocolate for the little man along with a couple of good sized cakes. After this we were outside playing, well Caleb more than me as he loves climbing the sculptures each time we come. Great fun but the afternoon was getting on and with a few clouds coming in and an already low sun we had to make a move towards home. 
We encountered the wind of all winds head on for the first 5 or so kilometres which quickly burnt out the scone I just had but once back up onto the high road and then turned towards home it was a lot better. A sort of 3/4 head wind so not too bad.
We had a few more tracks to explore on the way with some potentially good ones to check out at a later date. 
We managed about 38klm over the afternoon which at the very relaxed pace of the Big Dummy suited us fine. Mum was home studying so we gave her a good four hours or so of peace as well. 

Jamie


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Sunday 24th March 2024 - Jack Taylor Super Clubman shakedown ride - Caithness

  Yesterday was the first decent weather day when I hadn't been super busy so with a few hours to spare I decided to head out for a bit ...