Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from James in India, who shares the fully loaded Dawes Galaxy he’s pedaled some 15,000 kilometers across India, Central Asia, and all of Europe. Meet James and learn a little about his bike’s fascinating history here…

Words and photos by James Thomas

Hello, I’m James. I grew up in a sleepy village in the Staffordshire Moorlands, a place with a strong cycling heritage. I was introduced to long-distance bicycle travel by my best mate, Adrian. We started off with day rides and weekenders with a group of friends, gradually progressing to the harder stuff.

Dawes Galaxy

We’ve enjoyed multi-month bike trips in Morocco, Europe, and the High Pamir. Adrian and I bought a pair of Dawes Galaxy bikes in 2011 to ride during our European charity challenge, which we called 20 Countries in 100 Days. We raised money for Re~Cycle, the bikes to Africa charity, and set up our website, ReallyBigBikeRide.com. 

  • Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy

Since then, I’ve ridden solo, unsupported across Eurasia and found myself an expat of a decade living in India. I now organise and lead motorcycle and bicycle tours of the high Himalaya. The Dawes is still rolling deep and has found fame on my blog with a viral post about how well suited the Galaxy is to round-the-world bike travel. It’s an off-the-peg Reynolds 853 frame rolling handbuilt wheels from Spa Cycles in Harrogate. The racks are Tubus and carry weight like a Humvee. The 700c wheels suit me well as a 187-centimeter rider of 85 kilograms. The big wheels glide over rough stuff, and the flex of the steel frame combines to provide a fast and responsive ride even when loaded with luggage. It’s well geared for all terrain, and the Brooks saddle is like perching on a leather cloud.

Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy

I’ve been a freelance writer for a few years, which I love. Most of that content goes into my blogs and Substack, Alchemy of Adventure. I’ve recently added adventure tour guiding to my things I do for cash activities. It’s still quite new, but I figured I’d make the most of being on the subcontinent and doing stuff I love. I absolutely adore the mountains and return to the Himalaya each summer to explore the remote regions of Ladakh, Kashmir, and the Himachal Pradesh. This month, we’re making a loop of Spiti Valley, known locally as “Little Tibet.”

  • Frame/Fork: Dawes Galaxy
  • Rims: Alex XT19, handbuilt by Spa Cycles
  • Hubs: Shimano Deore LX 36h
  • Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Tour Plus
  • Handlebars: FSA Wing Compact, short drop
  • Headset: Cane Creek 40
  • Crankset: Sugino RD-5000T
  • Pedals: Shimano SPD MTB PD-M324
  • Cassette: Shimano 9 speed (11-34T)
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano XT 9-speed
  • Brakes: Avid Short 4 cantilever
  • Shifter(s): Tiagra 27-speed STI
  • Saddle: Brooks B17
  • Seatpost: Dawes Alloy Micro Adjust
  • Stem: NVO Alloy
  • Front bags: Ortlieb Roller Plus Front
  • Rear bags: Ortlieb Roller Plus Rear
  • Accessory bags: Altura Bar Bag
  • Other accessories: Ortlieb Messegner 30l

In 2015, while crossing Northeast India, a few kilometres outside Guwahati, the rear rack sheared off the braze-on from the frame. I’d been overzealous with my bunnyhops on some particularly smooth asphalt and speedhumps. Luckily, the whole city appeared to be fabricating steel gates, so for 50 rupees, I had a nut and bolt welded onto the frame. In 10 minutes, I was rolling onwards to Sikkim. The weld still holds today, having crossed India, Central Asia, and all of Europe back to the UK—more than 15,000 kilometres. Roadside repairs like this are the reason I always choose a steel frame. 

Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy
  • Dawes Galaxy

The Dawes Galaxy was discontinued in 2020. However, this iconic bike and brand have a special place in UK cycling history. I set up the Dawes Galaxy Owners Club and Appreciation Society for riders to share their stories. You can join the group here.

You can follow along with James on Instagram.

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