Picture to follow.  Non-cyclists may not be especially interested.

  I had three bikes that I felt would be suitable.  I have a 35+ year-old Bianchi which I have used on several multi-week tours. It has a steel frame and a smooth ride. I have a Kestrel with carbon fiber frame and rim brakes and mechanical shifting.  And a Trek Domane with Carbon fiber frame, hydraulic disc brakes and electro-mechanical shifting.

   Neither of the last two have been used on a multi-week ride.  But they are much newer and deserve a chance to prove themselves.  We are going to be far from places with parts or service at various times on this trip and so I went with the slightly more easily repaired Kestrel.