Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: WHY RIDE A BIKE?????!

« on: November 30, 2010, 11:45:01 am »

Riding a bicycle opens up a whole new geography to you.  You'll seek out new routes of travel and places to go just for bicycling and in the process discover beautiful places and sights you would not see otherwise, many in your own back yard. 

2

General Discussion / Re: BIG touring bike Photo Gallery

« on: October 05, 2010, 12:33:21 pm »

I don't know what it is about looking at loaded touring bike pictures but I'm mesmerized by them.  I thought I was the only one until I stumbled on your site.  I started doing a little touring myself last year after installing a rack on a new bike.  I had some old panniers and put them on the rack just to see if they fit.  BAM! just seeing them on the bike stirred something in me and a month or two later I was on a 4 day tour. 

Thanks for the site.  I'll look at it longingly during the dark, cold days of winter. 

3

Gear Talk / Specialized Crosstrail as a touring bike

« on: October 04, 2010, 01:55:50 pm »

I bought a Crosstrail last year as a general purpose, casual, rail trail, dirt road, kind of bike.  I ended up doing some touring with it on the C&O Canal/GAP Trail and a 3 day part way around Lake Champlain mostly paved road tour.   It performed well on those rides and was comfortable.  I'd like to do more touring but I'm concerned about it's suitability and even durability for more and longer tours.   I'm considering buying a Surly LHT or Trek 520, but I have reservations because the bikes are expensive and maybe the Crosstrail is good enough.  Any thoughts?