21st July 2022 - Strathcarron ride - Brian - Mercian King of Mercia

 Wednesday 21st July I managed time off so Brian and I hatched a rough plan to go on a road ride, I know, I know, not what anyone was expecting ;)  

First thing Weds I headed down to Brians with the plan being to head out to Marybank way and ride down the other side of the river to Meig dam and then head down into the estate roads and head to the end of the road. As usual we would take detours as and when required.
Luckily the weather was decent and stayed that way for most of the day though it was quite breezy heading out.
We were out for about 5 hours or so riding through some lovely scenery going from glen to glen being spoilt for views around each bend. Spoilt also in that we seen very little traffic, around half a dozen or so cars all afternoon. 
I was on the King of Mercia and it was it's usual well riding, enjoyable self. Sure footed whether on or off road.
We did discover a few well off road loops that we will investigate further on the 1X1s later in the summer. If anyone wishes to join us just let one of us know and we can work around it.

Jamie

Brian crossing one of the footbridges

10th July 2022 - Loch More Loop - Jack Taylor Super Clubman

 Once again, It has been a while since I last updated the thread. Of course there have been a few rides on the JT and others since but nothing other than my usual local rides.

And so here are a few photos from a ride out on the Jack Taylor on the mixed surface roads out around Loch More/Altnabreac out in the flow country. Cracking afternoon, sunny and dry, for it and the Jack Taylor handled it all with ease. Horses for courses of course and I ride the old beauty sympathetically but it still runs this type of gravel surprisingly fast and surprisingly comfortable. Running 30mm Jackie Browns which has a nice volume so can run slightly lower pressures. There had been just enough dampness to create that really comfortable tacky surface on the edges of most sections of gravel to make it quite fast and enjoyable. 
Morning was rubbish here so it was good to enjoy such a nice afternoon. I think I seen 4 people all afternoon out there, 2 on the water with SUPs and 2 older ladies riding their electric MTB's.

Jamie

5th July 2022 - Cycle Route 7 Inverness to Carrbridge - Brian and I - Long Haul Trucker

 Well after a busy month if not longer of visitors and weekends where I was away, sometimes riding, sometimes not I finally managed to get down to see Brian and get out for a ride together. Have been flying solo for a while now and was missing our adventures and also his company. Brian has had a bit of an issue with his knee for a short while but he assured me it was getting better and that a ride was definitely on the cards.

First problem up here was the rain for Sunday, Brians way didn't seem much better but just to the south was meant to be fine. So a quick look at the map and a rough plan to just head to Daviot and ride the national cycle route 7 south to Carrbridge, have a coffee and see where we are for time etc. Brian was on his Rohloff Voodoo and I was on my ever dependable Long Haul Trucker. I have been riding mainly my Mercian and Jack Taylor lately with the Trucker used for commuting etc sporadically lately. I really wanted back on one of our rides to get back into the Trucker and evaluate a couple of things, mainly as I may be buying a modern frame to build up and just wanted to see if I really needed to.  
Brian was with family in Inverness when I came through and picked him up on route and we were still down, parked in a layby getting ready to ride just after midday.
A nice leisurely pace had us riding along the cycle paths and empty roads through Tomatin, Shlochd and along to Carrbridge in a decent time despite the now growing headwind. Even the long drag up out of Tomatin didn't seem to bother us and with Brians knee co operating it was all in all a very pleasant ride. We stopped at a bakery/coffee shop in Carrbridge and sat outside in the sunshine enjoying a cuppa and a cake before heading pretty much back the way we came. Quite disconcerting in places as you could hear the traffic close by on the A9 but couldn't see it so often you thought someone was coming up behind you. We seen barely any cars at all when we were on the small roads themselves.
The Trucker was it's usual comfortable pleasure and realised on the ride that it's about 11 years I have been riding this lovely bike and so I probably should have it dialled in by now. 

Great to be back out riding with Brian on our always enjoyable day runs exploring. It seems like our summer has been used for visitors and other activities, which has been great after a couple of years of covid hiding away, but still, I miss our rides. 

Jamie

May 2022 - New Project - Jack Taylor Super Tourist - unused and unbuilt?

 Jack Taylor Super Tourist 21" as new and unbuilt

I finally took delivery of this lovely frame when it's owner came to stay recently.
It came into the hands of a good friend a few years back when he purchased an estate sale job lot of bikes and frames and it was offered to me at the time right off the bat as it was too small for the buyer. Unfortunately at the time I didn't have the funds to do it and thought it would be going back overseas with him when he left. His parting words over 2 years ago now were " if you want it just take it and sort me later, otherwise I know you will want it in six months time and I will have to send it halfway round the world' I stayed strong and said no. Well at least I lasted longer than the six months and I found out on his return he was selling some of his collection and this was still sitting there. Of course I said if the Jack Taylors are up for grabs I am always interested. He did manage to also get a larger International model that I am so pleased he has kept.
This frame is an interesting and sometimes confusing model as it is original and by the looks of it never fully built with several features that at first made us question it's authenticity. The first of these being a lack of proper frame number other than the original owners postcode which was where they were purchased with his widow and son saying this frame was built for him many years back on order with Jack Taylor Cycles. The postcode is up in that area so makes sense. The frame has some surface rust on the bare metal parts such as canti mounts and just inside seatpost and bottom bracket but clearly never had anything fitted and used. I originally thought a respray by Jack but they would normally have the refinished by Jack Taylor Cycles seat and head badge and a very close look shows this to be original paint and clearly in Jacks style common to the fade they were known for as well as it being a quality finish. Little things such as the Taylor rack mounts, brake bridge as well as the water bottle mounts being typically Taylor in being imperial nuts mounted on the frame. Then when Ken Taylor inspected at the 2020 Jack Taylor weekend and gave his approval my mind was eased but then I was kicking myself I couldn't afford it.
Fast forward over 2 years and here it is sitting as my next project to be built as my Tourer/Randonneur for the longer rides and trips. The idea at the moment is for a good dependable working build much like my others, Mafac, Nitto, Brooks, Stronglight triple etc but maybe a bit of touring bling if there is such a thing. One thing I do have and slotted straight on the front was a Jack Taylor front rack, though in green so will need to strip and finish in black, I think.
It's early days and in no rush but would really like to be on it this year. (though at the time of posting on the blog, that is running out) 
I will update as I go, but for now here is a couple of quick photos from the other evening after work.
Just wanted to share. Kens inspection back in summer 2020 at the Jack Taylor Ride

6th May 2022 - Callandar Weekend Away part 2 - Mercian King of Mercia

 More photographs from weekend away with these being from Sundays ride -  Callandar towards Killin on National Cycle Route 7.