Whilst the sun beams down upon Dorset, it’s hard to feel an urge to explore elsewhere. I have hopes to ride in mainland Europe in the near future but right now, the English sunny summer has ensnared me.

Last weekend centred around a multi-activity outing involving bicycles, remote control cars… and saddlebags of all shapes and sizes!

It unfolded a little like this:

• Attach Tamiya Holiday Buggy to bike (thank you Austere straps!)
• Cross the Purbeck via the chain ferry to Bournemouth (£1, bargain!)
• Meet up with Ben and Mike. Hop on bikes and cycle to local RC car shop to purchase a Tamiya Super Hot Shot for Ben.
• Ride back to Bournemouth, play with RC cars, then build said Super Hot Shot late into the night.
• Cycle to the Woods Cyclery in the New Forest for a group campout and Sunday shop ride, involving camaraderie, coffee and a swim.
• Finally, pedal all the way home again.
  
  I’m working on a club name and logo that captures the spirit of ATBs, RC cars, swims, bike pushes, and campouts… Any ideas?

Our first stop is at Miniature Models, in Sturminster Newton, where Ben procures a Tamiya Super Shot. As soon as we’ve pedalled back to his house, he wastes no time in putting it together, labouring long into the night…

The following day, we rode out towards the New Forest to a Woods Cyclery campout.

To my delight, my good friend Simon Weller was in attendance! Simon is one of my very favourite photographers. I’ve admired his work since we met in London some years ago and I still have a photo he printed out for me – taken in the Nevada salt flats – after all these years. Since then, he’s rediscovered cycling and now has an enviable collection of steeds, including the stunning Clandestine ATB he was riding.

In true Woods Cyclery style, the day included beachside coffee, a paddle, and a touch of bog trotting. All kinds of bikes vied for my attention, and there was even some Mint Sauce too!

As I’m appreciating more and more, the riding in the New Forest and surrounding areas is a delight. Unfortunately, access to cyclists is bizarrely restrictive, given how many established gravel roads and well trodden paths already exist there.

Despite the popularity of modern ‘bikepacking’ gear (aka the ‘wedge’ seat pack), I’m glad to report that in this nook of the world at least, the venerable saddlebag lives on! Aside from an aesthetic appeal, it’s so very practical – the boxy, top loading shape is perfect for a campout and a shopping spree alike. Pictured above are three modern renditions, made by Swift Industries, Ron’s Bikes, and Wizards Works.

I still covet my own Carradice bags and my BXB Goldback is a favourite too. I’m also a big fan of the Tailfin Aeropack, as seen here, with my Tamiya Holiday Buggy. It combines the best of both worlds – it’s sleek, yet it’s easy to access and pack. I love how easy it is to pop off the bike when travelling. Plus, it’s dropper friendly!

The B-Roll

The Links

If you’d like to join the Woods Cyclery on one of their Sunday outings, check out their Komoot feed for upcoming routes. Their group rides are invariable chill, often involve coffee, and aim to be as inclusive as possible, drawing local cyclists and visiting tourers alike.

Plus, the shop itself is a treasure trove of goodies that are rare to find all in one place, run by ATB enthusiasts, and has delicious fare too! I penned a post about it for Bikepacking.com, which you can read here.

Although I love almost all remote control cars (!), I have to admit to feeling a special affinity for Tamiyas. This in part because you have to build them, which is enjoyable and exercises the brain, with the likes of setting up oil dampened suspension and creative paint finishes.

And it’s down to sheer nostalgia, having owned one when I was a kid. If you’re after a Tamiya RC car – many of which are re-releases of vintage Japanese buggies that date back to the mid 80s – Miniature Models is a wonderful place to visit. This tiny shop has an unlikely address, being housed in the corner of a machine shop on an industrial estate. It’s full of character… and characters!

Mike wrote a lovely write up of the weekend too, which you can read here.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, fire away!