My Black Beauty

[kmehrzad]

I picked up a new Surly Long Haul Trucker last night. She's going to be my ride across the states sometime in the future.

[Bike Chick]

How very nice!!! She's beautiful!

You are really going to do this, aren't you? If you come through Illinois, head south. There's a hot shower, soft bed and good food for you at my house

[IFjane]

And in the early going, if you pass through my neck of the woods (Madison County, VA), the same goes here! Just let me know

[kmehrzad]

How very nice!!! She's beautiful!

You are really going to do this, aren't you? If you come through Illinois, head south. There's a hot shower, soft bed and good food for you at my house

Thanks Bike Chick. I'm inching my way west (from VA). With each step (bike purchase, slowly planning), I'm convincing my DH that this is actually going to happen.

I'd love to stop by for a hot shower and to see a friendly face. Maybe I can convince you to ride the rest of the way with me once in IL.

Thank you, as well, IFJane. It's always a pleasure meeting TE'rs.

[Bike Chick]

Maybe I can convince you to ride the rest of the way with me once in IL.

I would love to! But don't know what I'd do about my job. If you would wait 7-8 years until after I retire, I'd do it.

[Cataboo]

We could all pass Kmerzhad around like Madei... Or schedule various people to ride with her for a day or two through various states.

If she starts on a weekend, I could do 2-3 days with her

[Cataboo]

Oh yeah, great bike Need help sprucing it up with colorful accessories?

[kmehrzad]

We could all pass Kmerzhad around like Madei... Or schedule various people to ride with her for a day or two through various states.

If she starts on a weekend, I could do 2-3 days with her

Hey, I like that idea ... pass me around, go ahead. Just think of all the great people I'd meet along the way.

[kmehrzad]

I would love to! But don't know what I'd do about my job. If you would wait 7-8 years until after I retire, I'd do it.

I think 7-8 yrs. might be too much of a stretch for me to wait for this ride of a lifetime. I'll be 55 yrs. old in December and have been sensing my mortality. This past June my brother passed away due to brain cancer and watching his battle for the last two yrs. has made an impact. I'm slowly checking things off that are on my mental 'bucket list'.

Maybe when you're able to do the ride then I'll have experience under my belt and we can do it together and meet up with all the wonderful folks who've offered a place to rest my head, food for the journey, and a warm shower.

What a great group of hospitable cyclists out there in TE land. I'd love to meet up with you all someday.

[Bike Chick]

I think 7-8 yrs. might be too much of a stretch for me to wait for this ride of a lifetime. I'll be 55 yrs. old in December and have been sensing my mortality. This past June my brother passed away due to brain cancer and watching his battle for the last two yrs. has made an impact. I'm slowly checking things off that are on my mental 'bucket list'.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother. Please accept my deepest sympathy! How sad and difficult for you. I understand where you are at. I will be 52 shortly and sensing my mortality as well. My ex-husband (the father of my children) died suddenly from a heart attack in June and my close friend's 36 year old daughter died in a car accident last week. It puts things in perspective.

You go for it, girl, and don't look back!

[Scrappy]

oh GORGEOUS! ((jealous)) LHT's don't fit me properly... I wish.. that is the exact color I wanted too.... What a fun ride you will have!

[Owlie]

Ooh, nice.

[Catrin]

We could all pass Kmerzhad around like Madei... Or schedule various people to ride with her for a day or two through various states.

If she starts on a weekend, I could do 2-3 days with her

Very sweet bike - not that I am biased or anything The fenders are interesting, what kind are they? My LBS has told me that fenders on an LHT are "out" a little further than on other bikes and I can see that in your picture. Nice click stand - is it?

I could ride with you a couple of days as well

[Trek-chick]

Nice bike. Definitely needs a splash of color IMO. I felt the same way about my Trek 520 with all the brown colors on it. I love the black Surly. I also want to do a cross country trip one day but need to convince DH to do it with me. I would be up for a ride with you if you go through Michigan.... The UP is beautiful and Lake Superior is one of the most amazing lakes we have here.

[buffybike]

That's so cool!! I'm in North Florida, if you're passing through. We have a great cycling community here and would love to ride with you and/or offer a place to stay, as well.