Sunday 12th May - Long Haul Trucker - Black Isle

Back out again today, this time to the south to visit and ride with good friend Brian.
An early start that didn't quite go to plan as I overtook a car near Brora and heard a 'ping' then slowly lost all boost power as I had blown a hose clip off the intercooler. Limped to Brians and lost a bit of time while I fitted a new clamp.
We were soon underway into the glorious sunshine with the temps being up near a balmy 12 degree when we left  :shock:
It was a modified route that we were taking due to the slightly later start and the fact it was just the two of us.
After the usual singletrack along the shoreline we climbed up the long drag to get to the days start to the off road sections. The first part was nicely surfaced trails but after a few detours that gradually got narrower and more overgrown we start down a path that looked a bit wider but still overgrown. This was the same as the others at the start in that there was a bit of water lying in the low parts but gradually got worse with longer and deeper sections of water. Nothing we couldn't handle but I did wonder at one point what would come next, thankfully we emerged onto a hillside with a great view of Ben Wyvis straight down the tarmac farm road now in front of us.
from here we dropped back down to the shore and crossed Cromarty bridge on the A9 and a short stretch of this busy road to our turn off to head back up the hill to join the road from Evanton to Dingwall. We went past the turn and crossed the road to have a spot of lunch at the Store House at Foulis which was only about 50 metres further on. We dined like kings as I had a Ham, Orkney cheese and guacamole sandwich and coffee before the steep climb up the hill. We stopped several times as their was a weird noise coming from the back of Brians bike, we couldn't find it but I was sure it was from the hub area. After riding along the top road back towards Dingwall for a while we came across the Highland café and thought this may be a good place to investigate this hub. After sitting in the sun for a while eating a giant cookie and drinking another coffee we thought we better make a move as time was marching on, so we headed back to Brians to finish off another great day out with a very enjoyable ride.
I have been very lucky this weekend with being able to get away both days and also with the weather, good days indeed.
Hopefully anyone reading this has had a good weekend as well, wherever you may be and whatever you have been doing.
Jamie

Sat 11th May 2019 - LHT Forsinard via Altnabreac off road route

Well today was meant to be the far north gravel ride that Brian posted about on Retrobike forum last week, short notice and a long way north for many.
There was a big turnout, well if you count me and my multiple personalities ;)  and even they were calling me Billy no mates.
This ride I decided would continue on to Altnabreac from a start point near Loch More then turn off the loop and head west across the flow country and up over some big hills to Forsinard for a cup of coffee and some cake.
It was looking a bit wet around the place up here this morning but was due to clear but I still allowed to get a bit wet from a shower or two, thankfully though the day just kept improving and I missed the rain completely.
The ride to the station was not as enjoyable or as quick as it usually is as over the winter the fast orange sand/gravel has had tons of big chucnks of blue metal stones laid on it for the estate which makes for about 7 of the nine miles to the station very rough indeed. Thankfully from the station turnoff to the west there is still the nice clay/sand road and while there is a lot more climbing and descending on this part it is a nice road to ride on.
The only drawback or pain today was the really heavy wind from the north west, it was up around 30mph in the high country and it was cold as well. Out the wind it was quite warm. As you can see for big sections this is really open country and there is no hiding from the wind. At least on the way back it wasn't so bad. I stopped at Forsinard and had a coffee and cake after stopping at the viewing platform. It was a quick turnaround as I didn't get going out there until late morning and with a round trip of just over 6 hours it was getting late.
I ended up doing about 76klm and about 5 of this was on tarmac, into and out of Forsinard. The rest was gravel/sand/dirt road, most of which was fairly good condition. This is wide open country out here and there isn't much about, least of all people. On the dirt sections I had one car from an estate come past me on the 3 klm climb from the tarmac on the Forsinard side and one parked car a bit further on. About a dozen though on the tarmac section.
All in all a great ride in some nice weather. Took a good few photos to maybe try and entice a few people up next time ;)
The Trucker also rode perfectly as it usually does. It feels really nice on the sand and gravel and handles it very nicely.
Off tomorrow morning early for Brians ride on the Black Isle.
Hope everyone has had a good day as well :)

Jamie

Monday 6th May 2019 - Jack Taylor Super Clubman ride - Local

Hopefully everyone has had a decent bank holiday weekend, I also hope the weather was a bit better with the rest of you than what it was up here.
I technically had today off but went and worked/ or sounded out work with someone else, maybe time for a change, anyways I was home for about 1.30.
The weekend up here seen me pottering about with several projects but no real riding, we have had snow, hail, sleet along with gale force winds since Thursday. Today was better especially this afternoon as the wind had dropped and the sun was out between hail and rain showers but did finally manage to get out for a while on the Jack Taylor. I had planned on swapping the bars out for the new Nitto B136 randonneurs along with the new 80mm stem. I was also going to take away the Dura Ace aero levers and put on some Mavic 419s I have. I have the three sets of levers and have earmarked the black hooded ones for a very distinct build but the other two are for the Taylor and the Mercian tourer. I just couldn't make up my mind which ones for which. The solid bladed set with the Dia Comp hoods are for the Mercian and the other drilled 419 pair are for the Jack Taylor I have decided. Earlier in the week I polished the two drilled pair and also washed the hoods as they were a bit manky from sitting around. Came up nicely. Just pottering really but after riding the Taylor this afternoon confirmed the decision about the bars and the shorter stem on the Jack Taylor. Fitted some bits up to the Mercian as well but this is really just to get it rolling while the other one is finished off. It will be a real parts mock up and then if it works then it may get built properly over time but the other King of Mercia is first.
Anyway a nice ride and then just playing outside with bike parts between playing with Caleb and the dog.
A nice weekend.

Jamie

April 28th 2019 - Clubbies Stade be'Mancky gravel ride - Carnoustie

 Thanks again Clubby from the Retrobike forum for putting on such a great and varied ride through a really lovely area. Thanks also for looking after us with bacon rolls, coffee and glorious sunshine.
Will just get some photos up for now. Will write up later. 
Long drive home.
Brian and I stopped at Perth for a coffee and burger for dinner before stopping briefly in a lay-by near Aviemore to help a guy get his Royal Enfield going and then following to Aviemore turnoff to make sure he was ok.
I dropped Brian off and hit the road and made it home a couple of minutes after 1am.
Long day considering we left Brian’s at 5.30 the morning before. Well worth it though as a great ride and got a chance to see some of Clubbies area as well as catch up with everyone. Those that weren’t there missed a good one.
Cheers guys
Jamie