Hi,

I've just found your forum and wanted to introduce myself.

I had 2 wheels attached to my body over 45 years ago, and will have to have them surgically removed before I am finally put in my box.

It seems that my "normal" way of life has recently developed into a minority sport called "touring". And it seems from the internet that the boys have muscled in on the action to make it their own!

So it was nice to find a womens forum.

As child, the bike was the main way we all moved around - going to the shops; playing sport; heading off for long summer picnics and generally exploring.

As a teenager, it gave great freedom to avoid being reliant on bus timetables and making it in time to catch the last bus home.

In my twenties, in combination with a tent, it was a passport to free holidays & long weekends - and free everyday transport.

In my thirties & forties it was the only way (other than shanks mare) into town.

And now it is time to hit the road for the big trip...the one I dreamed of as a child...the one I would do when I "grew up". Europe, Arabia, India, Africa...

And despite occasional forays into sharing travelling space with others, I still prefer going solo, avoiding campsites where possible & slinging the tent over a wall in a field, or in woods or a quiet beach and watching the sun set over the Atlantic.

I'm a firm believer in the idea that there is no such thing as bad weather...just bard clothing and have cycled & camped all year round.

For the last 25 years, I have been accompanied by my trusty 27" wheeled Peugeot, but the time has come to choose a new travelling partner. But the boys have cornered the market with their high crossbars (which are alien to me for the last 25 years, and something which I am not sure I want to spent the next 25 years of my life attached to). I want a new steel touring bike - 26" inch wheels - drop handlebars - metal mudguards - dynamo lighting - front and rear racks - and zillions of low gears (age and hill gradient seem to have proportional links).

I'm not a bike techie - can mend a puncture and do minor maintainence, but the boys sites are generally extremely techie minded. Being female, I want something efficient, solid, reliable...and preferably black.

So I'm interested on how other women have managed to find something similar.

It's a bank holiday weekend here and a major race festival all week so I'm heading off now for a few days, to get away from the craziness of the traffic, despite grey skies and rain on the wind.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and recommendations on touring bikes...