I don't relish the idea of the LHT or Disc Trucker's empty weight of 31 pounds. I know it's unrealistic to expect *any* touring model to be close to the gossamer weight of my road bike, but even Odysseus is only in the middle 20s, with all the racks and gee-gaws included.

I think my long gone yet still mourned 1984 Trek 620 was only around 22 pounds. In many ways it's still the bike I most enjoyed riding. It's tempting to see if I can find one on FleaBay (they pop up from time to time) until I think about the number of changes (and the lack of provision for a disc brake, which is now a must-have qualifier for consideration) that I'd have to make.

Keith,

I think I forgot to reply to you, about your potential bicycle shopping. I had suggested a Rodriguez. Jacinto also has a Long Haul Trucker, purchased in 2008. This is his favorite date. She doesn't go out often anymore, but when he takes her out, he always comments on what a good ride, and always dependable. Now he's more into internal geared hubs, Rohloff being the most common. Jacinto's reason for going IGH is that he doesn't like to clean chains! We might laugh, but it's the truth. He did have a spectacular failure at the end of our 2021 tour, but other than that, the Rohloff has been very dependable. He has encouraged me to switch one of my bikes to a Rohloff. If there were someone in our area familiar with them, I'd probably give it a try.

I got sidetracked there - what I really wanted to say was to keep the LHT at the top of your list. It's an inexpensive, dependable ride.

Did the GAP/C&O with about 6 other frinds. plan was to camp but due to rain we camp 0 days. both trails have plenty of Air B&B and little hotels that it makes it easy to do both trails.

It's not perfect, but it's way better than the soft keyboard.

Oh, it folds too! Cool!

Thanks Gretchen. You need to learn to be a little more enthusiastic. 😁

Seriously though, thanks for the encouragement and support.

I was following your journal and then life interefered, so I tonight I went back to read the rest of your trip. AMAZING! Absolutely AMAZING!
I can't believe all the mountain passes you crossed. The photos were incredible. I loved "meeting" all the people who crossed your path. Thank you for sharing your adventure. TOO COOL! - Gretchen Carlson

Thanks Andy.

Proud of you, cousin! What you’ve already done is epic.

Yeah I saw after I posted that the Surly Disc Trucker weighs in at 31 pounds. The Trek 520 has a combined bike, rider, and load weight limit well below what I would need (or expect). So those two are probably off the list even before I really get started.

Weird coincidence. We met a guy named Rodriguez from Seattle. He was riding a Rodriquez. No relation, I think. He was pretty happy with his bike.

Surly bikes are really heavy. I have a Cross Check and it weighs more than my Specialized Sequoia. Also, the gearing on mass market (if that's what you can call it) touring bikes is too high for loaded touring. I downsized all three chain rings on the Sequoia. I never could have toured out west with the 105 gearing that came with the bike.

Weird coincidence. We met a guy named Rodriguez from Seattle. He was riding a Rodriquez. No relation, I think. He was pretty happy with his bike.

Surly bikes are really heavy. I have a Cross Check and it weighs more than my Specialized Sequoia. Also, the gearing on mass market (if that's what you can call it) touring bikes is too high for loaded touring. I downsized all three chain rings on the Sequoia. I never could have toured out west with the 105 gearing that came with the bike.

Very nice and informative summary of your tour. A future tour you describe with a vehicle waiting for you at the other end, credit card touring for a shorter tour, and having a bike companion sounds superb. I will be on the look out for a journal about that in the future.

"I hope we can get together for some of those tall tales and a ride when we can."

Abso-friggin'-lutely! Sorry I missed lunch with you guys last week but Mrs. Fun enjoyed it!

Yes, I just stopped and asked. I don’t remember now why that seemed like a good idea at the time, but it worked out fine. Both were memorable experiences, in a simpler time. I wouldn’t do it again.