Hi from a timid yet curious newbie

[skeskali]

Cecily, my partner just bought and is now doing a short self-loaded touring ride on his brand new Salsa Casseroll --- actually today is first day on this bike...heading towards the Rocky Mountains. He bought it from Mighty Riders.

OOOoooOOOh! I'm so jealous, I'm absolutely green over here! How does he like the bike so far? I dream of doing a light tour like this someday. I've also got my eye set on the Underground Railroad tour that WomanTours sponsors, although it's 38 days long, and I'm not given that kind of vacation time every year.

I have also bike toured on several trips on my 7 speed Dahon folding bike with 4 panniers. The model I have has 20" wheels. (Not the 16" wheels.) Have you at all considered a folding bike? I think you might love a folding bike for lightness, convenience and touring capacity also.

I've never considered a touring bike because I exceed the recommended weight limit for the models I've looked at. I know that manufacturers really only include those because lawyers make them, but whenever I've asked bike store sales people about them, they take one look at me, shuffle their feet, and say, "Well, that might not be the best bike for you..." Bless their hearts.