Rides Through Time 9 - Wheal Betsy With Jim

[@pikebobstar2033]

Great vlog with a twist involving Jim and his extensive knowledge. When I think of Cornwall, it's not the miles of golden beaches or the exhilarating landscapes but the wheal houses which adorn the landscape with their ghostly presence. To me, they represent the hard working Cornish man with the support of his wife and family. A picturesque reminder of a very hard and hazardous working life. Top job 👍

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Pike! Yes it was great to have Jim along to share his knowledge. Working conditions must have been awful. I feel fortunate to have been born when I was. They do have a ghostly presence don’t they. I think the Trans Euro Trail passes a few, further down the county. I’m looking forward to seeing them 👍🏼

[@lilynorthover8378]

That wheal house is in very good condition. I find them very moody and atmospheric but sad and scary somehow too. Jim has had a long biking life, he must be doing something right.

[@Saddlebags73]

Hey Lily 👋🏼 It is in good condition. They have just recently completed some restoration work. Yes I know exactly what you mean. Moody and atmospheric. Somebody else described them as having a ghostly presence. Yes Jim has quite a history with motorcycles, and as you say, must be doing something right if the only accident he’s had was entirely someone else’s fault 👍🏼

[@loicgalmiche5821]

Great video (once more...) Many thanks to Jim for sharing his knowledge. Nice place, pretty weather, old chaps, memories, industry history: everything's there (except a cup of tea...) Brilliant !

[@Saddlebags73]

Hi Loïc. Sorry for the slow reply. I’ve just returned from holiday, which included a KZbin and social media break. Yes it was very interesting chatting with Jim. I’m glad you enjoyed it too. Many thanks, and all the best 👍🏼

[@timparry5028]

Excellent. I was at college in the late 70's early 80's at the college between Cambourne and Redruth. Famous for the School of mines although I was there for Technical illustration. Had the great fortune of being taken down an old tin mine. What a fabulous experience that was. Of course that whole area is peppered with these old buildings and how beautiful they are. Passed my bike test in Truro on my BSA C15 which I had ridden down from my home up on the Wirral. Great times. Thanks for this. Brought back many memories

[@Saddlebags73]

Hi! I have passed the School of mines many times. Going down an old tin mine must have been amazing. I would love to do that. I love to see the old engine houses. I’m riding the Trans Euro Trail and I think it passes several when I get further west. I’m looking forward to that. Thanks for watching and sharing your story 👍🏼

[@timparry5028]

@@Saddlebags73 i'll look forward to seeing those vids. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to your work. Your filming and editing skills are excellent to say the least. I too have a classic C5 which i picked up a few months ago. Totally love the bike and wished id bought one years ago. After over 40 years of riding its rekindled the feelings i had riding that C15 all those years ago. Cheers

[@jimsadler8704]

@@Saddlebags73 Another good mine to go down, SB, is the Poldark Mine at Wendron near Helston. It's a mid 1700's mine and is therefore a bit claustrophobic and a tad damp.

[@Saddlebags73]

@@timparry5028 sorry for the slow reply. Just got back from a holiday which included a KZbin and social media break. Just how I feel about the bike. Magic they are 🙂👍🏼

[@Saddlebags73]

@@jimsadler8704 I’ll keep that one in mind. Thanks Jim 👍🏼

[@Bob-us9di]

I wasn't aware that there was even one wheel house in Devon! I've long taken an interest in the old lead mines of northern England - now beginning to turn to the south-west - so hearing from somebody so knowledgeable was just great.

[@Saddlebags73]

I had passed this engine house 100’s, maybe 1000’s of times and had never given it a thought. Then Jim mentioned it in a comment on a previous video. It was a privilege to have him along and educate me. Thanks Bob 👍🏼

[@TheRhythmicBiker]

What a chap Jim is, I loved his interview mate (Very Wolf Tales style🙂) Jim knowledge is incredible and so is the fact that it still stands despite closing in 1877👏 Great video mate, very educational as always 🙂

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Rhythmic. Nowhere near Wolf Tales, but Jim is a very interesting chap. I love these old buildings. Thanks again my friend 👍🏼

[@kenbrooks7794]

Interesting that you were promoting Cornish mining from the site of a Devonian mine! Jus' sayin'.... 😉

[@revdave9632]

Fascinating. Cheers.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thank you and thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Great Episode. Jim has a lot of riding experience. 12 bikes it is a nice number. Mining has a lot of secrets still after decades. Wonderful video. You nailed the sound. :) Keep up man.

[@Saddlebags73]

Many thanks my friend. Yes, very interesting places. I always imagine how it would have been. Much appreciated 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@ChopperFett]

Dude I love this!!!! To have someone there with so much knowledge of the structure was great to listen to!!!

[@Saddlebags73]

Many thanks my friend. Yes it was very interesting chatting with Jim. I learnt a lot that day 🙂👍🏼

[@jannerfox9292]

Nice one me Ansume, us Cornish travelled the world even before motorcycles. Bledy great video.

[@Saddlebags73]

Cheers Pard! Some beys back then eh. Getting all over the place 🙂👍🏼

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Jim's motorcycle history is amazing and glad the hear getting rear ended wasn't worse. Another great upload.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Eric! His old bikes would make an enviable collection. And yes it sounds like he and his wife were lucky 👍🏼

[@hachewie]

Cool guy. Interesting history lesson.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Chewie, yes he’s a star 👍🏼

[@HippoDrones]

That was great mate... and Jim sure knows his stuff re the mining!

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Hippo! Yes he’s a very interesting chap indeed 🙂👍🏼

[@sluf1963]

Good stuff , thanks for the history of that mine , cheers .

[@Saddlebags73]

Many thanks Sluf 🙂👍🏼👍🏼

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Great video Saddlebags really enjoyed that ! Love a bit of history and visited similar sites whilst on holiday, love Jim’s biking history and your interview very professional 👍 Love the history link with the video It’s a great addition

[@Saddlebags73]

Many thanks, Old school. I enjoy making these and it was a rare treat to have Jim share his knowledge and enthusiasm. Thanks again, I learnt a lot from the interview. All the best 👍🏼

[@daviddavies5347]

Excellent 👍 enjoyed that. Reminds me of when I went to Lands End every summer for about 10 years with the school I was a teacher at, on an adventure holiday. We stayed at Skewjack surf centre. I went the first year with the coach with the kids. After that I went down on my Guzzi Monza 😂. We got to know the locals quite well and on a day off one of them took us into a mine, illegally of course. 😂

[@Saddlebags73]

Thank ee kindly sir. Guzzi Monza 😍 Did you keep it? Sounds like brilliant exploring 🤣🙂

[@daviddavies5347]

@@Saddlebags73 I did 110,000 miles on it and the small block Guzzi’s were said to be weak. It was in a rough state by then and I stored it to eventually restore but I decided it would cost too much to restore in the end and I couldn’t afford at the time so i sadly sold it 😢

[@Saddlebags73]

Wow! I bet you have a story or two in you. I met a gentleman who appears in next weeks video (shameless plug) who had done similar mileage on his BMW. He was green laning it with me. It’s a forty year old bike, in amazing condition, and he went up the trickiest green lane in these parts on it 👍🏼

[@crumblymal8479]

Maravilloso amigo very interesting when you think how hard it would have been working in that mine and building the whole set up it's quite mind boggling .Lovely looking area too as it is in all your vids well done Jim to good interview , I just remember Mike the Bike when he made hos return to the island and won too The Martini Yamaha and all that good stuff of the time .👌👍 Muchas gracias 😉

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Crumblymal! Yes it would have been hideous working conditions, for a pittance. Ah I love all the old TT stuff 🙂👍🏼

[@TAYM]

Another very interesting Ride Through Time. Thank you.😊

[@Saddlebags73]

Thank e kindly sir 🙂👍🏼

[@economicalrides]

Great vlog again SB, SB the interviewer ! You did a great job and it was nice to also hear a bit about Jim's motorcycling history, even if that wasn't the main reason for his being there. I've never been to Cornwall myself, only made it as far as Devon ( eek ! ) a few times, so it was interesting to hear a bit more about how the mining industry actually worked in your part of the world. Thanks Jeff, another enjoyable and informative video ! Much love, El Otro y Rubita ❤🐕

[@Saddlebags73]

Hola El Otro. Sorry for the slow reply. I’ve just got back from a holiday which included a YT and social media break. I love the old engine houses but don’t know a huge amount about them. Jim however, knew everything and it was very interesting chatting with him. Many thanks amigo. Much love to both 🙂👍🏼

[@HarleyThrottleJuice]

What a fascinating and interesting chat, well done mate! ✌️

[@Saddlebags73]

Thank you mate! Yes really interesting chap Jim is 🙂👍🏼

[@allsearpw3829]

Hi , nice to hear the history of places and what people got up to during their time , in all ways . Thank Jim and keep the videos coming my friend . Ride safe and enjoy the sun shine .😉

[@Saddlebags73]

A rare treat to have someone who knows what they’re talking about eh 🙂 Many thanks my friend, all the best 👍🏼

[@Motoramblings]

I love this!! The interview part was great! What an interesting chap! Then the history part of the video, for some one who lives in a country with a much younger history, I find this fascinating! And of course, gotta love the “Right turn Clyde”!!! Great job!!

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Patrick. Sorry for the slow reply. I e just hit back from holiday which included a KZbin and social media break. Yes it was very interesting chatting with Jim, and I’m glad you enjoyed it too. Ha, right turn Clyde 🤪 Won’t mean anything to a lot of people 🙂👍🏼

[@Motoramblings]

@@Saddlebags73 no worries! I hope the Holiday was great. You’re right, a lot of folks won’t get the reference, but I loved that movie! Clyde was awesome, and that guy Clint was pretty good too…😂😂

[@Saddlebags73]

Oh yes, Clint. Forgot about him 🤣 In future videos I must try and remember to make fun of the black widows 🤪

[@Motoramblings]

@@Saddlebags73 hmmmm, black widows?

[@Saddlebags73]

@@Motoramblings that was the goofy bike gangs name, if I remember rightly 🥴

[@copper6600]

Great series love to watch them. Thanks a lot.

[@Saddlebags73]

That’s great, thank you very much. I enjoy making these 👍🏼

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

Very interesting video. Jim has a lot of motorcycle history. I can imagine getting rear ended at traffic lights is horrible, especially with someone on the back but Jim is lucky if that's the scariest thing to happen over such a long time riding.

[@Saddlebags73]

I agree. That’s 60 years of motorcycling. He’s obviously been doing something right. Thanks Epic 👍🏼

[@jimsadler8704]

I did have another scary moment a good few years ago, Epic, when I pulled up in the outside lane at some traffic lights and looked into the car to my left. The driver looked like a cross between Freddy of Elm Street and the Predator.

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

@@jimsadler8704 😆

[@Saddlebags73]

@@jimsadler8704 🤣🤣🤣

[@EpicMotorcycleAdventures]

Cracking video Saddlebags. Jim certainly knows his stuff. I always find them fascinating imagining how they work. Those Cornish engineers were some clever blokes.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks EMA! Yes Jim is very interesting to talk with, and knows his stuff. Some beys back then they were 🤣👍🏼

[@Johan-vk5yd]

The TV-drama ”Poldark” brought my attention to the history of mining in Cornwall. How interesting to follow your visit to these well- kept remnants from the early years of exploitation of humans and nature! I’m happy modern society has come a long way since then.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Johan! Yes, working conditions would have been appalling. I agree, it’s good that we’ve moved on 👍🏼

[@lilynorthover8378]

Now you've got me thinking of Poldark with his shirt off again🙄

[@Saddlebags73]

@@lilynorthover8378 🤣🤣🤣

[@Johan-vk5yd]

@@lilynorthover8378 😄

[@RidingHumboldtCounty]

Jim is quite an interesting fellow with an extensive riding history. Love the Wheal Beatsy really interesting Jeff

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Greg! He is very interesting indeed. Hope all is well 👍🏼

[@icedidi]

Bloody marvellous 😁👍👍

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks ice! Appreciated 🙂👍🏼

[@frankboff8185]

Good video, very interesting, Jim had a lot of knowledge about the mines and a long ridding history.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thank you kindly! Yes, very interesting chatting with Jim 🙂👍🏼

[@exeterrider]

Very engaging video. Jim knows his stuff. Brill 👍

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks ER! Yes, he certainly does. He’s a fascinating fellow 🙂👍🏼

[@WhatsUpBob]

Jim is one interesting dude..great interview to start the video! And quite the historian! Thanks for sharing!

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Bob. Yes it was very interesting chatting with Jim. Nice day out too 🙂

[@markhutchings8281]

Brilliant! I love the rides through time series great to see another episode! And wonderful of Jim to share his knowledge, I pass wheal Betsy many times a week so it’s great to know a bit about it, thanks Jim!😎👍🏻 and of course to you Jeff!😀👍🏻👍🏻

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks for watching Mark. It was a treat to have someone who knows what they’re talking about, involved in the series 🙂

[@greywolf9292]

Awesome intro and very interesting video, it's great to find out about historic sites and amazing to see the work that went into them and on in them. This wheel house had a fairly short working life 1860-1872, yet it'll probably be there as a reminder for Eons to come. I bet Jim wishes he'd hung onto a few of those bikes he spoke about, they've become rather precious and sought after.

[@jimsadler8704]

Quite so, Wolf, especially the Velo Thruxton.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Grey Wolf! It does seem a short life, but I don’t know how usual or unusual it is. I bet many thousands of tons of material came out of it though. Yes his previous bikes would make an enviable collection. Many thanks ,my friend.

[@davidhawkins120]

Love this series!

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Mister Dave! I enjoying making these too 👍🏼

[@RandysRides]

Informative vid, man !! I'm always impressed by architecture back then...just plumb lines and eyeballing. Very cool. :)

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Randy! Yea old buildings are fascinating eh 🙂👍🏼

[@rettoplegin]

Nice one you two, Really interesting.

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Uncle 🙏🏼🙂

[@oldwildandfree]

lovely video, very interesting Jeff👍

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks Steven, appreciated 🙂👍🏼

[@warrenhumphries1371]

Wasson Sbagsy boy, bleddy silly old fools wittering on, who'd 've thought they two would be so interesting ? Great vid , thanks to Jim, geddon Pard and Doryga !

[@Saddlebags73]

🤣 He is very interesting. Unusual to have someone that’s knows what they’re talking about on this channel eh. Doryga? You’ll have to enlighten me. Cheers Pard, DFD 👍🏼

[@warrenhumphries1371]

Pay attention 0073. Don't outride your guardian angel !

[@Saddlebags73]

Oooh 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣

[@tojj29]

Love it mate, great video that, very interesting. Passed that a few times when we're down there. Proper job 👍

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks tojjer! Nice to have someone there that knew what he was talking about 🙂👍🏼

[@NooBiker]

Jim's a top bloke. Much interesting vid 👍 Shame about the tale of his mate with the IAM course. I shan't go on about it but the poor bloke misunderstood things 😔 as a newly qualified observer I'd happily coach him through that...

[@Saddlebags73]

He is indeed a top bloke. I had a very enjoyable day out with him. Yes, an unfortunate tale from his friend. Having never taken any advanced courses myself, I shall steer clear of forming an opinion 🤣

[@NooBiker]

@@Saddlebags73 a lot of people get this wrong. It's: 1. Safe? 2. Surface? 3. Sightlines 4. Straight-line In that priority order. But a lot of folk focus in sightlines, extending vision and straightlining without first checking safety and the surface they're about to go on 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@richardcrighton8079]

touch wood eh

[@jrm1946]

Enjoyed the history bit but disappointed that Jim, for all his exerience, took the opportunity to knock additional training and to go on to give such a misleading example. The tale of the guy positioning his bike allegedly as per IAM advice and hitting gravel sounds like a rider who misunderstood the principle or had poor observation of the road surface. Jim is wrong to state that the IAM say on a right hand corner "you stick to the left of the road" . To quote from an old IAM manual (2009) "If traffic conditions allow, and your speed warrarants it, always position your machine for the best view through the corner" I repeat "If traffic and road conditions allow..". This is not new. To quote from my old copy of Motorcycle Roadcraft (1978) on right hand bends, "However, before selecting a course consideration must be given to a) Nearside danger which would require a greater margin of safety e.g. blind junction or exit. b) Poor condition of road surface on the nearside or adverse camber. Similar care is required on left hand bends.. beware oncoming traffic, misleading other traffic etc. As a former DSA motorcycling instructor let me just say that training and practice for the test is just that, getting ready for the test. It is as brief as possible because of the costs in time and money. It is just the start of what should be a long relationship with motorcycling and much enjoyment and safer riding can be had by challenging yourself by undergoing further training and practice.

[@jimsadler8704]

I do apologise. I am not an IAM's rider but the chappie who took the tumble is. I can only state what he told me.

[@Saddlebags73]

JRM, thanks as always for watching. Comment duly noted, and thank you for your input and exerts 👍🏼

[@Saddlebags73]

Cheers Jim 👍🏼

[@jrm1946]

@@jimsadler8704 Thanks for responding, Jim. Much appreciated. It's a common misconception and not uncommon to see riders take such positions no matter what's in front of them just because they think this is what's required, especially on left handers where they stick next to the white line in the face of all sorts of oncoming traffic. That's why additional training is so useful. Cheers

[@johnb7855]

Very interesting video as always, I expect that a future video may be made on a visit to Redruth. SB37

[@Saddlebags73]

Thanks SB37! I do have a stop in Redruth planned for the series, but for something a bit different. Sounds like it’s worth a visit though.