Sat 6th December 2025 - Global FatBike Day 2025 - Strathpeffer

 Having realised I haven't posted to the blog for a while I thought I better bring it slightly up to date with some of the rides done lately. 

Saturday 6th December seen Global Fatbike day roll around once again. We haven't missed a ride out for many years as it is always a good excuse to get out with friends and enjoy a sociable ride on our Fatbikes, which is what it was always intended to do. 

We were a bit worried the week before as Brian had not been well recently and we had our fingers crossed he would be fit for the ride, especially as I have done most of the GFBD rides with Brian, this combined with the constant rain and flooding meant picking a route was a bit of a juggling act. As it turned out Brian was good to ride but could only take it relatively easy due to some ongoing health issues so it meant finding an easyish flat course for the ride. Had to keep his heart rate well in check. We decided on a simple route from Dingwall to Strathpeffer for lunch taking the long winding route there and a straightforward route back. 

So it was just myself on my Pugsley, Caleb, my son, on his Karate Monkey and Brian on his Pugsley. 

We were very lucky with the weather as Caleb and I drove the couple of hours south in very heavy rain, only easing/stopping just before we arrived at Brians. It stayed relatively dry, just the odd spots here and there before reverting back to heavy rain once we left Brians.  

It was good to be out on the Pugsley and while it was a very sedate ride just riding along easy tracks and pathways it was good to be out with Brian and Caleb. We were both pleased to have Brian join us and knew it was an effort for him so we just enjoyed rolling along, thankful and enjoying being out and in each others company. 

Jamie   

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

January 19th 2025 - Calebs Karate Monkey winter shakedown ride with the Pugsley.

 A bite late posting this update but better late than never. 

We finally had a break with the weather and managed to get out so Caleb could have a more off road ride on his Christmas Karate Monkey. 

The weather still wasn't the best but it was looking like the rain may hold off for a few hours and the sun may even show itself. It was still very cold when we loaded the KM and the Pugsley and headed out to Loch More to see how we went. 

It was still a bit wet and the estate roads were slick in places but it gave us a chance to adjust the fit and dial everything in. It wasn't too far but it gave him a chance to get used to it and you could see his enthusiasm growing for it. The fit is spot on and still a fair margin to expand as he grows, which at this rate is pretty rapid. 

Jamie 

25th December 2024 - Christmas Bike for Caleb

 I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and managed to spend time with family or friends.

We had a very lovely relaxed Christmas with the three of us and the pets.

This year I built Caleb up a new/old bike. He has been growing like a weed the last year and while he still uses his Hardrock for going about I noticed he isn't riding it as much, then noticed he is getting a lot taller. When he has gone mtb riding with his friends he takes my Pugsley or the 1X1. 

As we recently finally finished putting his Wester Ross road bike together I decided to build him up a Surly Karate Monkey 29'er. Only this Christmas give him the complete finished bike. 
He rides my Pugsley when we go mtb riding as he doesn't have a proper off roader as his Hardrock is set up for touring and he loves all the Surlys about the house so even though the frame for this was second hand I wanted it to be for him and not one of my hand me downs. So I bought a frame a couple of months ago and hid it in the loft and then slowly put the parts aside. Then the week before Christmas I started putting it together.
It's a really nice 2006 Metallic Skid Mark brown Karate Monkey.
It's set up 1 x 9 as is my Pugsley as he likes that, it's fitted with Mary bars as he loves those on his Hardrock and the back of the tandem, BB7 brakes as simple, effective and easily adjusted and some really nice wheels that Brian built up, XT hubs with Kris Holm 40mm 29'er unicycle rims, double walled and holed to which I fitted a night sky rim tape. A massive thank you to Brian for building these.
Came up really nice and he was shocked to see a bike under the tree, to say he was pleased was an understatement.
Hope everyone has had a nice one.

Jamie