While the world laps up the latest iGadget and we become increasingly connected, exchanging information and pushing creative boundaries at a far greater speed than ever before, there is a simultaneous resurgence of traditional arts and crafts — that which reminds us of a pre-digital age. Scout Regalia, a design practice based in LA, have just added a bicycle to their portfolio that brings together the work of four partners dedicated to preserving and promoting those skills.
The Scout Regalia Bicycle is based on a mixte frame by David Wilson, a Pennsylvanian builder and offered, at this stage, in two configurations. Both are equipped with an internal 9-speed rear hub and front dynamo hub with lighting, chain guard and a rear utility rack. Scout Regalia work with Chicago luggage-maker Winter Session to equip the bike with rear saddlebags ‘that serves double duty as a seat for picking up hitchhiking friends’. There are two versions of front rack with matching forks and fender: the red rack supports a handwoven black ash basket by Swamp Road Baskets of Alpine, NY, while the black rack carries a 100% wool camp blanket and straps from Topo Designs of Colorado.
If there’s such a thing as a modern spirit of Americana, the Scout Regalia Bicycle is a perfect precedent, sans apple pie and baseball bats, and is tallied by the maxim on the seat tube decal: Adventure. Exploration. Discovery. Recreation. A healthy aphorism for a digital age.
