Meet Scotty

“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn’t any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it’s right. If it disturbs you it’s wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”
– Robert M. Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

Meet ‘Scotty’: an 8-year-old Scott SUB-30 ‘Speed Utility Bike’. Purchased brand new for the conservative sum of GBP 275. It’s had more re-constructive work done to it than Jackie Stallone, and received more knockout blows than in all of the Rocky films put together. But it still runs smoothly and I trust it to get me to where I want to go.

Why not invest in a carbon-fibre lighter-than-air dream-bike I hear you cry? Well, put simply, I don’t think it’s neccessary and only serves as an additional (considerable) expense. Even when touring in a stripped down ‘Credit-card’ fashion, the addition of just a couple of modestly sized panniers will make even the slickest bike handle like a tank. What’s more important (to me at least) is that the bike is comfortable; upwards of 7-8 hours a day, for days at a time makes this a top priority.

However, equally important considerations are speed, ease of maintenance and robustness. Scotty seems to achieve a good balance between all of these properties. It’s as happy squelching along muddy, rutted towpaths as it is flying along silky smooth asphalt or smashing over the moon-crater sized potholed streets of London.

An additional plus-point, that has only fairly recently come to light, is how easy it is to pack Scotty into a box for air-travel. The flat bars and smaller 26″ wheels make it much easier to fit into a standard cardboard bike box.

Scotty’s Spec:

Make: SUB-30 Speed Utility Bike
Frame: Evo Aero Alloy tubing with Evo Forks
Rims: 26″ x 1.75″ Doublewall DP2000 Safety Line
Drivetrain: Shimano Alivio
Gearing: 28-38-48 x 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30
Hubs: Shimano FH-Rm60
Tyres: 26″ x 1.3″ Continental Sport Contacts
Pedals: Shimano PD-a530
Saddle: Painful generic Scott saddle
Bar Ends: Tioga Power Studs
Bar, Head Set, Rack, Grips: Salvaged from other bikes

The more eagle-eyed reader may have noticed that on two of my previous cycle trips (Lands End To John O’ Groats and London to Istanbul) that Scotty is nowhere in sight. That’s because on these trips I’d been using my other bike; a Trek 520FB. A lovely, springy and nippy bike – it got nicked 10 days after arriving back into the UK from the London to Istanbul trip.

At the time I was filled with rage for the little asbos who’d made off with it (locked with u-lock and chain, within a locked, underground parking garage). However, with time I’d come to realise that it wasn’t that well suited to cycle touring – I’d had 13 broken spokes on the Lands End to John O’ Groats trip! Also, more importantly I learned that the most crime-ridden, dangerous places on earth are usually within your own country.

Fear of the unknown can grab hold of people and cloud their judgements and ambitions. I’d much rather leave Scotty unchained on the back streets of Delhi and Marrakesh than welded and bolted to a CCTV-clad lampost in the awfulness of Oxford Street anyday of the week.

Inventory

Believe it or not, except for the tent poles which strap to the bike, all this lot fits ‘snugly’ into two Ortlieb 40 litre panniers:

Camping:

1 x 1-Man tent (Vaude Hogan Ultralight)
1 x Micro Sleeping Bag
1 x Inflatable mat
1 x Micro pillow
Aluminium poles and pegs for tent

On The Bike:

2 x Ortlieb Back Roll Classic Panniers (Can also double-up as bucket / life-raft / improvised shelter)
2 x Cateye Mity 8 Cycle Computer (I always lose one)
2 x Waterbottle
1 x Specialized Micro-Air pump
2 x Bike LED Bike lights Front / Rear

On me:

1 x Pair of padded cycle mitts
1 x Pair of padded cycle gloves
Sunglasses (At least 3 pairs)
1 x Pair Specialized SPD cycle shoes
Factor 20 Suncream
2 x Pair of padded cycle shorts (but just one at a time)
2 x Cycle Jerseys
1 x Full length cycle leggings
1 x Waterproof Jacket
1 x Waterproof Trousers
1 x Waterproof Overshoes
3 x Cycle socks
1 x Pair of Casual Shorts
3 x Casual t-shirts
1 x Jumper
1 x Pair of Jeans
3 x Casual socks (casual??)
1 x Flip-Flops

Bike Maintenance:

1 x Adjustable spanner
1 x Chain-wip
1 x Rear Cassette removal tool
1 x Multi-tool
1 x 8mm crank spanner and crank extractor
Several x Park Tool pre-glued inner tube patches
1 x Emergency Tyre Boot
Spare Chain Links
Chain Lube
2 x Spare inner tubes
4 x Spare spokes (Drive and non-drive side)
1 x Spare Brake cable
1 x Spare Rear Derailleur Cable

Body Maintenance:

Various Toiletries (Smallest bottles / tubes available)
Plasters / Bandage
Drugs (Those legally available from your local high-street Chemist)
Vaseline
Oral rehydration salts
Spare Water Bottle

Paperwork:

Passport
Insurance
Money (As much as possible)
Michelin 1:200,000 Road Maps (As many as you need!)
Ferry / Plane Tickets

Entertainment / Capturing the Moment:

Mobile Phone (With at least 8GB of Old Skool mp3’s) & Charger
Digital Camera & Charger
Plug Adaptor

Staying at home:

Bike Helmet (Unless local law enforces use)

I don’t believe in wearing them. A personal decision based on over 30 years of bike riding experience. I respect your decision to wear a helmet if you choose to do so. Read this blog post and share your thoughts.