Yeah I saw after I posted that the Surly Disc Trucker weighs in at 31 pounds. The Trek 520 has a combined bike, rider, and load weight limit well below what I would need (or expect). So those two are probably off the list even before I really get started.

Weird coincidence. We met a guy named Rodriguez from Seattle. He was riding a Rodriquez. No relation, I think. He was pretty happy with his bike.

Surly bikes are really heavy. I have a Cross Check and it weighs more than my Specialized Sequoia. Also, the gearing on mass market (if that's what you can call it) touring bikes is too high for loaded touring. I downsized all three chain rings on the Sequoia. I never could have toured out west with the 105 gearing that came with the bike.

Weird coincidence. We met a guy named Rodriguez from Seattle. He was riding a Rodriquez. No relation, I think. He was pretty happy with his bike.

Surly bikes are really heavy. I have a Cross Check and it weighs more than my Specialized Sequoia. Also, the gearing on mass market (if that's what you can call it) touring bikes is too high for loaded touring. I downsized all three chain rings on the Sequoia. I never could have toured out west with the 105 gearing that came with the bike.

Very nice and informative summary of your tour. A future tour you describe with a vehicle waiting for you at the other end, credit card touring for a shorter tour, and having a bike companion sounds superb. I will be on the look out for a journal about that in the future.

"I hope we can get together for some of those tall tales and a ride when we can."

Abso-friggin'-lutely! Sorry I missed lunch with you guys last week but Mrs. Fun enjoyed it!

Yes, I just stopped and asked. I don’t remember now why that seemed like a good idea at the time, but it worked out fine. Both were memorable experiences, in a simpler time. I wouldn’t do it again.

"I spent two nights in ... jails..."

Those nights were, I presume, voluntary on your part.

Definitely it’s more expensive than in the good old days, even if you’re not credit card touring. When I biked from Indiana to Montana back in 1974 I averaged $8/night, including meals and even a few dive motels. On other nights I spent two nights in college dorms, two in jails, and at least one in the home of a guy I met in a bar.

Thanks for the tip. Kelly. I'd heard of Rodriguez but they weren't top-of-mind. I think all the candidates so far are built in the U.S. A.: Seven and Waterford I know are, not sure whether Trek builds the 520 here or abroad, and the same for the Surly Disc Trucker.

I don't think it's the same person. "My" Mary Ann is on a conventional diamond frame bike with panniers.

Interesting - I met a Marianne last year when I rode the Northern Tier - perhaps I spelled her name wrong and it's the same person? She was riding a recumbent trike and pulling a trailer; https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/warriordeath1/day-45-alexandria-mn-to-fergus-falls-mn/ - she had on a helmet while we were talking so hard to say if it's the same person, but wouldn't that be wild?

It catches the eye, for sure.

There were a few photos I passed up in the sure and certain knowledge that others have recorded them.

Kind of a trip down Memory Lane, isn't it?

Funny how we tend to take a lot of the same pictures - I photographed this in 2015 but only the green truck was there at that time.

I stayed at the White Bird hotel in 2015. They were a cash-only business! Fortunately, I had enough cash with me - but that was a surprise.

Yes. I had no hesitation about accepting the lift!