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

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. 

26th June 2021 Big Dummy ride - Thurso

 Saturday 26th June 2021 

Big Dummy Ride - Thurso

Out and about this afternoon on the Big Dummy. Had made some changes to the setup along with the recent addition of the Surly ET tyres and needed to see how they all worked together. Original fork was back on and I had to use the rim off my 1X1 for the tyre. So back to + size tyres rather than full fat.

Lovely, as did a run to Thurso to pick some shopping up along with some bits from the local bike shop. 

Now out to dinner!

What a life, with my wonderful family!

Sunday 2nd May 2021 - Ride with Caleb and Big Dummy ET tyres shakedown ride

 A few photos from a ride out today with my son Caleb on his tourer here in the north of Scotland.

After switching the fat tyres and wheel around on the Dummy last weekend down in size to the Surly ET's I found once I had the rear fully inflated it was rubbing on the back brace bar, only just, by a midges baw hair, it's a unit of measurement in Scotland, equivalent to a mosquitos scrotum hair. After taking it off and reseating it, it was better and usable with no rubbing but still close. The issue is the 60mm rim so after trying it on the rear Spank rim which is 42mm it seemed to clear fine. So it looks like I need to find a 36 hole Spank to lace to my Alfine as well as a front, so this one can go back on my 1X1.

Such a lovely day up here so we just meandered out and about the back roads above home enjoying riding together. Getting Caleb used to going further and getting used to the odd car before tackling the main roads.

Even though it was a naturally slower pace while riding with my boy , the Dummy felt back to it's old ways with the ET's on, far more nimble and far less drag than the 4inch tyre on the front and hookworm rear we have been using the last couple of years. I just think now the little mans riding on his own that these may even do for the dirt and gravel we ride, not that I am dismantling the Fat set up or moving it on just now.

These will certainly make the commute to town a bit quicker.

Jamie

Sunday 25th March 2021 - Big Dummy dropping the Fat wheels and back to a Plus size

 Well spent bits and pieces of the day sitting in the garden in the sunshine transforming the Big Dummy from it's 4 inch front end back to a more tarmac manageable 2.5. After a breakfast of coffee and cannoli it was into it. The back end was easy enough just take off the cargo fitting, release the Alfine hub and swap out the tyres. The front while easy enough meant dropping the whole lot out and swapping the Hope headset back, adding a few spacers and then fitting the original fork and a temporary wheel from my 1X1 until my new one is built. Add the ET tyre and test ride. As I want to use this for commuting this summer I needed to change it out as the Fat front is a drag on tarmac, not usually a worry but when the next few months will be about 80 - 90% tarmac then this change makes that so much easier. These high volume ET tyres will be pretty good in the dirt as well, especially the gravel roads we ride.

Added a few spacers to the original forks for a bit more upright stance. It's been fat for a few years and so felt much quicker and far more nimble :) We'll see how it goes but a change is always good. :)

Still figuring out what the Dummies place is in the fleet now that Caleb is riding and touring on his own bike which was the Dummies main purpose for years. No one in the family wants it to go as even Heather says that it has helped make so many cool memories. Now to find it's new purpose......

Just thought I would share.

Jamie

Sunday 24th January 2021 - Big Dummy and Caleb on the Sled! Snow!

 Well as luck would have it I laced up the rim last night for the front of  the Big Dummy with the Dyno hub. I haven't got the trueing stand as I usually rely on Brian for either trueing or borrowing the stand, but lockdown being lockdown I may have to rig something up in a pair of forks, at least for this front one.

Anyway, I laced them up last night sitting in front of the fireplace thinking a bit of snow yesterday and the forecast now for rain so will put the fat tyres, fork etc away for another time. Only to wake up this morning to a good bit more fresh snow. Not a huge amount considering we are on the coast but more than enough we could go out and play. 

So the semi fat Dummy once again got a reprieve and headed out to tow Caleb around of his sled.  This Dummy is such a fun bike and as Heather said, Caleb will soon be big enough to ride it himself and I just love it even though there is no real need. So it will not be getting sold anytime soon. 

So we spent a good while out in the field on the tracks toward the beach and up and down the road which was best as it was compacted and the sled just glided. Great fun. 

Yesterday we had a bit as well and while no riding I did manage to get the dog out into town with me so we went for a walk up Thurso river, then played in the snow at home and late on we went to the beach across the fields from home. Tide was coming in so it was snow down to the water.

Hope you all had a nice weekend and manged a ride as well. 

I seen Brian was out on his Pugsley playing in the snow as well. Shame we can't travel mate otherwise I would be there with you on one of the days at least.