The Bike

Probably the next biggest decision for me was what bike to buy. There are bicycles made specifically for touring. A touring bike is typically much beefier and can handle the heavy loads that come with touring.  Touring bikes also have a relaxed frame geometry that allows adequate clearance between the riders heel and the rear panniers (saddlebags).  I am very partial to Trek bikes and I have purchased several of them over the years.  So naturally, I was very interested in the Trek’s primary touring bike the 520 which was first introduced in 1983.   I test rode the 520 at Earls Cyclery & Fitness in early March.  John bought a Trek 520 late last year.  I really liked it and I purchased one as well.  Here is stock photo of the 520 from the Trek website –

This bike is a bit of tank as it weighs in at nearly 29 pounds.  A comparably priced road bike would probably weight less than 20 pounds.