Retrospect 2011

Another fun year  doing the usual stuff though a few changes to how i do them,
I have been mostly cycling locally, instead of driving miles and miles to cycle, just ride from the back door or drive 10 -15 miles to then ride,  I now really appreciate where i have to cycle all year round here in East Lothian. My bikes are now all set up perfect for riding around here,
Petrol money saved from cycling to work and cycling off road locally, has slowly been saved up and is contributing to a new bike next year, which i am really excited about, first complete new bike in 4 years -:)

January;
The mother of all winters, the second year in a row we got snow, proper snow, everybody was moaning about it as the roads became snow ploughed hard pack as grit supplies ran out, i loved it and had many days riding through Xmas into the New Year on the pugsley in conditions it was originally designed for...magic...

Starting another blog, to post non cycling stuff around East lothian and related to my interests has been fun,
i need to get my finger out and get it rolling again...i have loads to post up on there...

Febuary;
I had a grand day out  riding west to Edinburgh on a fantastic clear winters day, it was perfect in every way a day on the coast can be...

March;

A day of sore legs riding my regular 29er bike on the beach to introduce another friend to the fun of riding fat bikes, Dave is pugsley owner No 5 here in East Lothian now...resistance is Futile



The lowest tide of the year allowed a ride to North berwick Harbour entrance!...

It also showed up a seldom seen wreck on our coast and my favourite post on the NTR blog , this post is exactly what i wanted to blog about over there,

April;

The first 3 pug beachride!, Jason and Davie joined me for a ride at John Muir Bay,
I took a grinder to my BOB Trailer added a 29er yolk, a kite buggy wheel and created the Fat Bob trailer
just the job for hauling junk and firewood off the beach...



May;

I splashed out some saved pennies on a Go Pro HD sports camera which would take about 2 months to manage to edit and publish properly on my coal fired PC, but a visit to Glentress Trail Centre with some of the Winton Massif cycle gang i did one of the first Youtube films of a new Blue Route Section that opened that day,  Berm Baby Berm...



June:
I was 40!, yeah!, and still kicking... and had a great booze up garden party with friends,
but before that the best 2 weeks of the year - Summer Holidays and another roadtrip up North around the coast of Scotland, from an amazing weekend at  the UCI Down Hill World Cup with friends, to camping out using the pugsley and FatBOB trailer on the NW coast and that magical ride at Faraid head at Durness on the biggest sand dunes in the UK....

Why go anywhere else?... -:)







The most amazing beachride ever to date- Faraid Head at Durness in the far NW corner of Scotland, seeing as i published the film in the wrong format i will just have to return next summer for a re film...



July;
A rare thing turned up on ebay, an unused Mk1 purple Pugsley frame...just what i wanted...
A quick frame swap and it was not long until it was rolling on the coast, in HD film too!...



August;
We rode the last bit of Unridden coast on the pugsleys on a very hot day, hard riding and have to return on a very low tide again in 2012 and film here...

A great Bivvy beachride to Holy Island too, pre run for a cool weekend coming up...
The following weekend would see another bivvy solo ride further south exploring the coastline...
was an amazing evenings ride to sunset...

The weather turned pretty unsettled through the month,  Harvest time was like 2 years ago when everything just seemed to be cut in a few days between terrible windy wet weather, but when it was good you had to get out, trails became unridable away from the coast, the coast was as always ok to ride...





September;

Not all bad weather is bad, during a crazy windy day we had an amazing day tailwind assisted flying across Aberlady Bay after a half hour winching out across at low tide in very low gears...



When i got my Surly Pugsley i never imagined anyone else would be interested in them or beachriding,
For friends to  get one i could grasp, but  i never imagined a UK fat bike owners meet...

Glad i caught it on film, a real special weekend, really special,
 i imagine there will be a few more  folk next year....





October;

We had a mini Indian Summer , did not last long but it was nice when we got it...



I did some more work on a wee coastal trail i ride at my local beach and did a wee film using a Gorrilla pod with the Go Pro...



Did a cool sunrise timelapse down there too, need to do more timelapse of the coast...



Lots of evenings nightriding with friends and solo rides with cheap powerfull lights which have unreal power for the money, end of the month and a Halloween Post with links to films and some nightriding film...



November;

Started off good with fireworks on the 5th and then mid month i was grounded by a virus or something which rendered me with blurred double vision and bad balance, it was nearly 3 weeks before i could read, watch TV or use the PC, scarey stuff, despite eye tests, blood tests, and an MRI scan nothing has turned up in tests to say what it was, after 4 weeks it went away as fast as it happened over about 48 hours,
A big scare and wake up call to get out and enjoy life as you do not know what is around the corner,

December;
A week after i returned to work i enjoyed a Saturday on the coast with friend Dave cycling again and the
Sunday afternoon spending a while making a point and shoot film at Gosford Bay at low tide... life is good again...



I built up a Klunker replica as a wee progect, still to get out and do a film with it it, should be fun...

Thanks everyone who stops by for a read, and a real big thanks to support and best wishes during that health scare, see you all on the coast in the New Year, enjoy your Hogmany -;)

Xmas hols fatty ride 2011

This years Xmas Hols fat bike ride (day after Boxing day) was a cross country loop from my house  which was 99.9%  off road.
 Dave and Jason joined me on there pugsleys, not many riding pics as we were er... riding!.
The 14mile loop took a while as a lot was slow speed on soft trails, perfect for the pugsleys which left little evidence of our passing, it has been a very mild Xmas, and very windy at that, calm today it is to be Gales again up to the 31st, back to work a couple of days then time to  celebrate Hogmany,  as i always do now with a bike ride and a toast from the hip flask...

Surly Pugsley; Update

I have been riding the pugsley for over 4 years now and mileage must be over 5000 miles now, i do not have a trip on it and estimate mileage and keep a note,

Beachriding was something a lot of folk said you just cannot do on a bicycle, sand and salt water will destroy it and it will cost a fortune, so far i have proved that is not the case with carefull choice of componants and some preperation in build and maintenance, in fact i have found a fat bike cheaper to buy and run on the coast than a full suspension bike for riding at trail centres, something that has suprised myself!,

 so time for an update  of the current spec...                         

Quick Spec; 


Frame set;  05 Surly Pugsley
Wheels;  Surly Large Marge rims, Hope Pro 2 hubs
Tyres & tubes;  Surly Larry 3.8"
Bottom Bracket;  Phil Wood 100mm square taper
Cranks;  Middleburn 170mm RS7 XC
 Pedals:  Superstar Nano Tech flats
 Brakes;  Avid BB7
 Drivetrain;  Shimano (steel) LX Cassette 12- 36t,  XT 22/32t  front rings,  XTR 9 speed Chain Shimano SLX rear mech,  XT front mech, Shimano XT full lenght outer gear cables,
 Controls;  Pro Taper 3" bars, 90 Hope stem, Ergon Grips, Avid levers,
 Seat;   Gusset tartan
 Extras;   Edinburgh co op rear rack, JANdd frame bag, Middleburn stainless bottle cage, Surly stainless hip flask and holder (Glenmorangie -:) ), Coyote front rack,

Frame set;
2005 Surly Pugsley, the original MK 1 purple pug, i bought this frame in June this year when it popped up on ebay, and swapped it over with my 3 1/2 year old grey frameset, purely for its colour!, as i think it looks lovely, The purple frameset had been bought and never built,  so possibly the last original MK1 purple frame to be built?,  i had missed the purple colour by weeks when i ordered mine and got the grey frame, this frame was proofed inside with frame saver before i built it. A new Hope headset replaced the FSA which was rough but still serviceable, for myself my pugsley circle was now complete.

Wheel set;
The only original parts (+ brakes) and on a bike are what takes the most abuse,
Hope Pro 2 rear hub (with steel free hub) and Hope Pro 2 Trial single speed rear hub (up front) laced to Surly Large Marge DH 36 spoke rims with DT spokes, (small single speed sprocket is there cause i lost a spacer!)...

These hubs are still on there original bearings, yep that's right after miles and miles of abuse on the beach - with a year out on the back when i fitted an Alfine 8 speed gear hub they are still ok, a wee bit rough in feel but spinning straight, not the lightest rims but dam strong, the front being ridged gets battered into rocks on the coast and it is still fine, happy days -:)

Brakes;
The Avid BB7 cable activated brakes are also original, Ball bearing activated by cables means no seizing with salt water, after 4 years abuse they are seriously corroded now they are due to be replaced,
The rear was sticking on so i added a spring from an old mech to keep it going a while longer...
I use Superstar sintered brake pads,   sintered pads do not soak up salt water and lose efficiency.
£24 for 4 pairs with free postage and you always get some Tangfastic sweeties -:)...

Transmission;
I have settled for using 2x9 mech gears on the pugsley...

I did try a Shimano Alfine 8 speed gear hub but it packed in after about 8 months and 1400 miles, having seemed to have lost its free wheel, the pedals kept turning when walking the bike and a loud grinding noise came from the hub when freewheeling,  the resistance was a lot through the pedals while freewheeling although despite this it would still change gear!.
I have a couple of  theories for this happening, most obvious is contamination of salt water, the other could be running a 24 took sprocket on the hub, largest recommended is 20t by Shimano, maybe the flex of the larger sprocket was too much on a bearing inside?, that is the thing - no one seems to know what it will be that has went wrong with it, i did a film of the noise, someone said it needs new oil...it is packed with grease!, another said the chain was too tight, 30 -40mm slack is not too tight!...



You also cannot seem to purchase individual parts for them but have to buy sevice packs, so by the time it is repaired it could cost half the value of a new hub (minus shifter and fitting kit etc)...

I also could not get a low enough 1st and 2nd gear, needed for really soft sand and riding rocks,
This is possible now though easily of course by running a double chainring up front with mech and using the new Shimano Alfine dual wheel tensioner, it is like an inline strong mech, so there is then no need for chain tugs so that means quicker wheel removal with the pugsleys horizontal drop outs.
An inline single speed style chainline makes the most sense for one of these bikes, esp for riding off piste through long grass and heather etc.. also inline chains always last longer, but already having the 36 spoke hole Hope Pro 2 hub which has only needed the free hub replaced -as i damaged it trying to remove a seized on freewheel, (got a good tip for preventing that at bottom of page).
Mechs are ok for beach riding, not alot to get wrapped up in them, i also like the instant engagement of the Hope hub when riding techy rocky sections out of the saddle, these rocks are in places quite hard going to `clean`  feet up, and having a 36 tooth rear 22tooth front gives real low gearing, ideal for this, or really soft sand often found in the dunes high above the high tideline.
I am not finished with using an Alfine hub yet and may go back to one, but probably on another fatbike in the future and not the pugsley, don`t be put off fitting one because of my problems, i ride through sea water!, and no one else on the MTBR Fatbike forum has killed one!.

The Philwood BB is a work of art and worth every penny of its £150 purchase, as it is serviceable and not disposable, replacement bearings are SKS double sealed and cost about £10 a pair from engineering suppliers, i get a good 2000 miles beachriding  out them and never service them...

With this the Middleburn crank arms and XC spider are a nice mate, i run 170 mm lenght arms and slim Superstar Nano Flat Pedals to help reduce pedal strike on rocks, XT chain rings and Shimano XTR Dura Ace rustproof chain keeps things smooth, lubed with Squirt Lube.
gear cables are full lenght XT as are brake cables...

                                                                                           

Tyres;  Surlys 2nd tyre, the Larry 3.8"   has proved perfect fitted front and rear for beachriding.
We found comparing them back to back against there original Endomorph it grips rocks better when covered in sand and it seems to last a lot longer - this may also be the second generation of tyres having stronger 120 TPI (threads per inch) than the original 60 TPI tyres which gave vague and wierd steering at speed or on tarmac. 

I use lighter 2.5 " Continental Downhill tubes filled with some Stans juice which helps prevent Hawthorn punctures, i still get a couple of flats a year from really big thorns, rim tape is cloth as won`t perish with salt water like rubber rim tape does.      

The classic `hand on tyre `pic that everyone takes when they get there fatbike!...   

                                                               

Finishing Kit & Extras;

The pugsley has a low front end so as well as headset spacers i run old school DH 3" bars on the 10 dgree 90mmm stem. Ergon grips i love for ridged bikes...

And they give a few hand positions, ideal when seated a lot cycling, as you are on these bikes...

I ride with a bell on all my bikes, if you have one you use it, and approching people from behind if they do not hear it then at least they cannot moan you don`t have one!...

Tartan saddle gives some national identity -:), they are cheap comfy enough and i do not have to keep it dry like the Brooks that was fitted before, seatpost is a cheap Kalloy that does the job,  rear rack is a £15 cheapy from Edinburgh Bicycle Co - Op  to act as a mudgaurd and a Go Pro camera mount as well as carry the tent or bivvy.  I extended it using a downtube Cycra Gaurd deflector - a wet backside with a chilling tailwind is no fun on a winter days beachride, 2 rear lights?, i always have 2 front and rear if riding from home in winter and returning after dark on the road, just in case...

      

All fasteners are stainless, as are bottlecage and hip flask holder (optional extra)...

Framebag is a JannDD from the USA, enough room for a decent sized pump, bag of tools and spare inner tube, compact camera,  also enough room for 2 magicshine light batteries, side pocket is ideal for cable ties and car keys, with the bottle cage fitted i do not have to wear a back pack, a kidney bag carries camera stuff if filming and food etc...                                                 

You may have seen a new front rack appear, this is made by Coyote, a cheap alloy rack at £15 on Amazon which doubles as a front mudgaurd and rack for sleeping bag when camping, i removed the rivets on the canti mounts and replaced them with stainless bolts and used stainless P Clips to mount it...

Beachriding  Preperation;
Here are some tips to keep your fatbike rolling through the surf and sand...
Buy a tub of Copperslip for threaded metal parts you want to seperate again, use this away from rubber seals, it is ideal for allen bolts etc...cut down a paint brush to keep inside the tin, easy then to grease threads...

I use Wurth Graphite grease and grease all inner cables, backs of brake pads, axles, repack new sealed wheel and Bottom bracket bearings and inside the cassette on it`s splines so it will not seize to the freehub, if this stuff gets washed out there is graphite that will stop a heat seizure...

Grease every bare metal componant that is exposed to contamination which you can see, this includes;
seat post where it inserts the seat tube,  pedal threads, crank arms assembly points (square taper) and crank spindle  (external BBs), steerer tube, headset cups before fitting and all the spacers and the O rings, as they perish quickly with salt water, also grease the assembly points of brake and gear levers and stem on the handlebars, everything that has to come apart again or joins a different material, even the lock on grips have the bar greased first before fitting!, no really as i nearly could not remove them before,

Regrease all these things yearly and replace control cables and check your bearings, brake pads etc...
do this and you too can enjoy miles of smiles on the coast...

Dawn Ride...A new trail open in East Lothian...

I was up and out on the Pugsley before sunrise on Sunday, a sub zero night meant frozen solid ground and it was below 0 Celsius when i rode up to the ridge road - the old trail that climbs up the Garlton Hills, once the main road to Edinburgh it has a lot of historic importance,
Reason i was heading up there was to later ride a new trail recently made by East Lothian Council,
part of the Core Paths Plan ,
With the ground frozen solid it would be a mud free ride on normally saturated trails, so no damage done, as said before i do not ride with or agree with mud tyres as they cut into the ground for grip causing damage,
Lights still on despite 8am, but the sky was getting light, sunrise was 8.35am...up onto the ridge road...

The 3km ridge road trail was frozen solid, good job too as would have been muddy with the tracks from farm fork lifts feeding cattle in the top field...

Barney Hill, transmitters, cold clear sky, cows, and ice...

Transmitter, this was a bit too high for a `bike hanging` from structure picture..

Looking south over Haddington, East Lothians principle town, behind a snow speckled lammermuir Hills...

The other two transmitters, the sky had an amazing light as the evening before on the coast, and also that bitter cold wind...

Looking west to Edinburgh and a snow covered Pentland hills...

Trees up here take a battering in the wind...

One of two WW2 buildings which were used by the Royal Observer Corps...

Art?, windfall habitat for beetles and fungi?, or some nice firewood?...

It was too cold hanging around up here waiting for sunrise so i headed off down one of my favourite descents, with the ground frozen i could ride its full lenght including the usually wet and slow going bit through the long grass i usually avoid, i had the Go Pro so filmed from the helmet mount,
not an involving film angle, but the great song makes up for it, one of my favourites;
`How to Be a Werewolf` by Scottish band Mogwai

click on 720p to watch in HD



                                                                               =
A New trail;  Abbeymill to Hailes


This is the first new trail built in East Lothian since the building of new sections of trail for the opening of the
John Muir Way . To have any of the proposed new Core Path trails constructed in these recession hit times is great news.
Starting at Abbey bridge at Aimsfield east of Haddington this new trail follows the north side of the River Tyne approx 3 miles to Hailes Castle,
The contractors finished digging the route on the Friday i fell ill 5 weeks ago with double vision eyesight and loss of balance, i had planned to cycle the trail on the Saturday morning to stake claim!, so that was that!,
The route is still not all signed , and it is unlikely to be surfaced to an all weather track soon due to funding,
A friend who recently walked it said it was very muddy being in many places a dug channel,
Todays frozen conditions would be ideal to cycle it,
After riding this if you ride it on a normal MTb or walk it in wet conditions then it will be a bit of a slog,  it should in time get walked in firmer and become some nice singletrack, and interesting to cycle as it undulates alongside the river Tyne, as it is now it is great on a fat bike!, and were not going to cause any damage riding it  even if wet with floatation tyres.
So i have done a point to point picture of the trail to show what it looks like, it will be good to repost a ride every 6 months and see how it matures into a nice trail to walk or cycle through the changing seasons...

The trail starts over a style under the northern arch of Abbey bridge at Abbey Mill, the picture is taken on Sustrans cycle route 72 which comes along the river from riverside, Haddington...
Crossing a grazing field to a style and then along a field boundry...

Sunrise at last...

The trail then weaves through riverside woodland, looking back west...

Again looking behind...

Rubbish dumped and washed down the river in spate should really have been lifted...

On the south of the Tyne is Stevenson house and Estate...

Already a tree blocking the trail!, easy enough to detour up around...

A lot of the river bank is lined with old Oak trees ...

View behind...

Undulating trail is nice...

View behind...

East Lothian Bayou?...

View behind...

We pass through houses at Beanston Mill, for respect of  house owners here i skipped pics till through and onto the trail again...

Through a paddock and back to the river bank...

Trapain law in the distance...

Need to try this ford in summer -:)...

Early morning winter sun  casts amazing light...

View behind..

I wonder if this wood will be a carpet of Bluebells in spring?...

View behind...

In the distance is Over Hailes farm at Pencraig Hill...

View behind...

This trail is going to be lovely once packed down...

View behind...

Trapain Law...

Nice section through here...

Told you Scotland has amazing light...

View behind...

Hailes castle comes into view...

And we reach the trail junction at the foot bridge at Hailes Mill...

From here there is a choice of North up a farm road to Pencraig where trails lead NE to East Linton and North straight home for myself... or south over the bridge and trails up past Trapain Law...

Or East following the Tyne to East Linton where you can continue to the Tyne Estuary at John Muir Park or turn North on the John Muir Way off road all the way to North Berwick...

East it is to the coast for myself today... we are spoilt for choice for off road cycling here in East Lothian..