big wheels keep on turnin

a couple of weeks ago my company informed me i'd need to take at least one week's vacation before end of september. the best idea i could come up with on short notice was to go bicycle touring. bicycle touring has several advantages:

- i get to buy a new bicycle
- i get to buy a crapload of gear to go on the bicycle
- i get to use the crapload of camping gear that i bought back in the day
- i get to combine travel and exercise in such a way that i can't skip the exercise because "i'm on vacation"

anyhow, the end of september is a lot closer than i think it is, and i've still got tons of work to do. but the first step is more or less done: yesterday we went to our LBS and ordered a pair of Trek 520s. I have some reservations about the bike, but my plan (fingers crossed) is to enjoy touring so much that i'll be doing it well into the future, where the amortized cost of the additional $100 - $300 i paid for this bike vs. its competitors will be a distant and very small memory. Times two, of course.

As far as I can tell, there are only a couple more things to get:
- racks
- panniers (aka saddle bags)
- tools
- food
- a route!

that last one may prove tough. the big-picture plan is to head down toward SLO, rent a u-haul, and drive back. we don't have enough time for a round-trip, at least not on our first tour. the detailed-view may reveal some problems in the big-picture plan. in any case, it's mostly nice all the way from here to SLO so any stopping point is a good one.

stay tuned.