Thank you all for your advice and taking the time to give it. I was already leaning toward the complete bike, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. I don't understand a lot of the terminology yet so forgive me if this sounds stupid or naive, but what are the gears like on the Cross Check and the LHT complete bikes? I don't know that I'd use it, but the terrain I have to contend with most often is very hilly and the terrain on the ride I plan on doing is way hilly! I don't think that I'll need quite the granny gear that I've got on my mountain bike but I'd like to know that if I'm having an off day and utterly pooped that I could get up a hill without having to push? does that make any sense at all? I have no idea what kind of gears are on my mountain bike but I do know that I never changed them so they are whatever Giant had on them when they sold it.
Thanks again everyone, I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.
Gray