Wonderful to read all this because I think I was born to ride. In my youth I toured New Zealand, Highway 101 of your USA, France (toute seule avec mon velo et mon tente), Switzerland and Germany, and worked as a messenger in London for 2 years.
Since I moved to Israel I rode whatever there was .On the basis that whatever you do on your bike has been done in the 1930's by an English woman on a Raleigh Sports with 3-speed Sturmey Archer gearing and a canvas pup tent . Then I bought a Raleigh commuting bike for my 5 year free of breast cancer anniversary .I rode the agricultural tracks around the kibbutz and the shores of the Sea of Gallilee. Then 2 years ago an incredibly close to fatal tractor accident left me with a right arm full of medical reconstruction metal (2 plates, 12 screws and a "kebab stick") Even after 18 months of physical therapy I thought I would never be able to ride again. But my son gave me his Trek 820. A bit of adjustment (twisted the handlebar to off center to accomodate the unstraightenable arm) and I am now riding 3 or 4 hour trips .I love the international border military "road" where I can see the prints of the night animals and the early birds in the sandy roadside. Today a flock of migrating storks flew right over me.
You know, Lance, it *is* about the bike