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3rd time for us and its certainly and inevitably got bigger and more commercial. Agree, Maserati?!...really. And you did get the impression there were more mamil bankers who have caught up with glossy italian steel and expensive tweedy stuff. But hey.

Considering the weather i thought they had done a pretty good job relocating the camping. We ended up a good way away and getting the car and trailer in was a bit hairy but the field was lovely much nicer than the main one last year. It was a bit of a shame that people werent bringing their bikes into the mud fest on Saturday as looking at the all the bikes and chatting to the owners is always a highlight for me. But understandable and i regretted lugging the tandem about with straw stuck up the mudguards.

But still loads of things to love for me. Riding the 30 with all the family and 3 generations of my friends family was special. My youngest son who "hates cycling" absolutely loving stoking the tandem. The route and the genuine smiles and cheers from locals was great. Thornbridge beers...i could have stayed for hours at Thornbridge Hall supping free beer.

I think we will all come next year although i did hear a rumour from a Bakewellian that its going to relocate next year having outgrown the site. Not sure if that is true or means away from Bakewell.

Good memories although still trying to dry the tent out

Ah, thanks for that. the imgupr thing that i normally use has stopped working and the new one i tried keeps crashing unless i hold my phone sideways....ill go away and work out the attachment system.

Just picked up this Jack Taylor from an eBay buy. The original owner bought it in 1980 and it's pretty much as was, original racks and the paint is pretty sound. Needs a good polish and buff and I'm going to change the bars, saddles and mudguards but pretty much good to go. Original purchase price was £860 which was a lot in 1980 I guess.
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Thanks Jon. and Ramsaye. We had a blast building and riding it. It was a new venue for us but not being wet we didnt do too much damage. The school seemed really positive about the event so fingers crossed we'll be back there next year.

Hi. Possibly of interest, a race from the Eastern League but easily rideable from Hitchin or Stevenage station. Race day is Saturday the 17th and there are still some places available.

Its a fantastic new course with all sorts of everything. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vS3vs8NNTG51KmfeVCZju_JfSNSwE1c5sP0NWm3npOE/edit?pli=1

Yes, another fantastic weekend, a bit chilly but not too rainy. It was noticeably busier than last year, about a third more people apparently. Just went so quickly.
Personal highlights were seeing Mrs Duck and my lad getting round the 30 and still smiling , Jaipur, the general positive vibe and having a nice chat with Malcolm Elliot at Chatsworth.
I too rode the 55 on fixed, (66) and it wasnt too bad, the last hill was a bit sticky but all doable. Trickiest bit was being on fixed on some of the rough tracks, strapped in with shoe plate on unable to put your foot down. Also had to think ahead approaching junctions as you only have brief moments to release the strap before having to go into track stand mode. Maybe the 100 next time on fixed?

Only regret, utterly failing to take any photos.

First ride at the weekend and its a lovely ride. Feels quick and surprisingly stiff for a 35 year old frame. Probably some of the credit has to be given to the TB14's and 25mm Veloflex which roll super well but even so, a sweet ride.
Have re-cabled and put on a pair of clips and straps ready for the Eroica. Also changed to 66inch.
I did toy with the idea of a Brooks but like the look of the Flite and over the years my arse has become one with the original Flite so it will stay.

Finally got all the bits. Might need to change the dt shifter to a bar end one, we'll see. Went for the VO chain set so that i can put a smaller chainring on for the Eroica, currently has a 44 but I've got a couple of small old cx chainrings i can use. won't look very pretty but will keep Mrs Duck happier.

More or less finished. Need to get a bottle cage and the bar tape needs a bit more care but its got to come off again next week for the Eroica. This is how it will be most of the time, intended to be used for summer fixed wheel training. Just need to re route the cables non aero, put a smaller gear on and borrow some pedals with clips and straps from another bike and will be good for the Eroica.
Havent ridden it yet, will report back.

wheels just delivered, tyres on after a bit of a struggle!

Thats great, a real early one and got to be worth that price. Thanks for the catalogue link, just spent an hour pouring over the late 80s cataloques and massively regretting selling my sm700

So, i think the 531 transfer is a mistake. Its on top of the lacquer so might come off although I'm a bit nervous of having a go at it. I have asked TJ about it but i understand while he had my frame he lost his wife and is picking himself up so I'm not going to hassle him.
Waiting for wheels but the rest coming on nicely. Ive got a black flite to go on it when I've found a post. I was wondering about handlebar tape and for a mad minute thought about orange cotton or even one of those cotton harlequin affairs but doubt i will be able to go with anything other than plain black.

Well, this is taking a while. Im waiting for chain set, bb, mudguard stays and a few sundries all ordered mid march and lost by couriers at least once, reordered and hopefully here this week.

Hmm, not sure. I will find out.

Finally got the frame back and i love it, just what id imagined. Need to think about wheels now.

This is going to be very interesting. Anyone got any idea why hes selling, i couldnt find anything.

Still not got mine, looks like the courier has lost it but they wont talk to me only the sender. Jamie has said he is looking into it.

Still no bits for me, i had an email on 2nd April saying they were coming but then nothing. Agree with @Skülly, hope they get it sorted as i like the stuff at Freshtripe and theyve been very good in the past.

Slow progress but have pretty much decided to go fixed and just got this pista chainset from wiggle for £160 in the sale which i thought was a great price.

Has anyone ordered anything from these folks recently? ive never had any problems in the past but my order of 3 weeks ago hasnt showed up and there is no answer to my emails. the blog hasnt been updated since mid Feb. a bit worrying.

I can see why you regretted selling it! I am going to keep mine though, at least for now. Its teeny tiny, a 47 cm seat tube and i think my lad will fit it this summer so will build it up for him. Both front and rear gears are internally routed....going to be a tricky build!

Thanks, yes its good to know there are still some good buys to be found on ebay.
Of the stuff that was on there there wasnt much worth keeping. The chainset is probably period but very cheap cotter pinned steel. Gears, mudguards, rack, bars all fairly modern. Might use the wheels but the spokes are not stainless and look a bit tatty.
Not looking to be period correct so will probably transfer most of the nice bits from this...

That chainset is a campag victory but i might get a velo orange single for it (110 bcd) so that i can put a smaller chainring on.

Took it apart and cleaned it, no problems. Will probably transfer most of the stuff from the Witcomb onto it. Might need a new chainset.

Ive been looking for a Ladies Jack Taylor for a while. Mrs ducks Whitcomb is a little small and i love the ride on the JT that i have.
Saw this on t'bay and was amazed that i was the only bidder. Got it for £375 which is about what ive seen them go for before. When it arrived was chuffed to find that the paint is in super shape and even more surprised when i checked the frame number registry and it was made in 1966! Can it be original paint? Im pretty sure its Taylor paint.

Found some Campag c record era levers in the bottom of the shed that id forgotton i had. Perfect for this, can route them non aero for the Eroica and then aero afterwards. Still plenty of hoods around (black i think)