The age old question....should my next bike be a cross or touring bike?

[mzone]

I think your choice is going to come down to size availability first and load carrying capacity second. If you're not going to do fully loaded (as in camping/cooking/multi-day treks), you have a few more options.

I want to do long-distance, self-supported touring. I got a Velo-Orange Campeur this spring in a 51, which was the smallest size they carried at the time. They are now in testing with a 650 wheel and plan to have 47 and 49 sizes: http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2014...ampeur-26.html. It might be fun for you to go see them as they're in Annapolis.

The Campeur is a bit heavy for daily commuting the way I have it built up with their front and rear Campeur racks and Copenhagen kickstand, but at the same time I have the flexibility to grocery shop on the way home or take off for a weekend overnight. I think it handles great whether loaded or not. I call it my Cadillac ride, as I barely feel our potholes with the steel frame and 37mm Continental City a Ride tires. I ventured out much earlier this spring than I would have on the urban hybrid with skinnier tires and aluminum frame.

The other bikes I seriously looked at were the Salsa Vaya, Soma Saga, and All-City Space Horse. I just happened to get a stellar deal on a pre-built Campeur that I couldn't resist.

[Jolt]

You might find that a Surly LHT will be a good fit...I am about your height and ride a 46 cm but I do have longish arms and legs so YMMV. 26" wheels so no toe overlap problems, especially important for a bike that ought to have fenders put on. The Salsa Vaya sounds like it has a lot of the same advantages and might have more standover clearance if this is an issue. Somebody mentioned the Bianchi Volpe which is another nice bike that comes in sizes down to 46 cm...700c wheels but I didn't notice major toe overlap when I test rode one. Enjoy the search!

[mzone]

You will probably be just fine splitting the load between the two of you with the two panniers, and the trailer is a bonus. For me as a solo traveller, a tent, stove, food, clothes, sleeping bag and pad, rain gear, etc. takes me up to four panniers.

Check the specs on the racks you plan to use. Many have weight ratings. Check out the Adventure Bike Touring Society site and also the blogs on crazyguyonabike.com for gear reviews and route ideas.

[fallstoclimb]

I think your choice is going to come down to size availability first and load carrying capacity second. If you're not going to do fully loaded (as in camping/cooking/multi-day treks), you have a few more options.

We do want to do long self-supported tours, but I'm actually thinking they won't require many more things than just a couple nights on the C&O did. We'd have to wash clothes, obviously, and maybe carry more food if we are between towns and can't access food, but the bulkiest items were our sleeping bags, sleeping pads and our tent, which you need no longer how far you go for. Am I being naive in assuming this?

For the C&O my husband pulled a trailer and had a small food bag on his back rack, and I had two loaded panniers on my hybrid, and we were fine - so I'm thinking load isn't a HUGE issue but please tell me if I am wrong! I assume that a light touring or cross bike would handle a load basically the same as my hybrid?