Thanks for all the quick advice. I'm a rookie tourist, but I'm young and generally fit. I'm planning to go from Florence, Or and down the coast to SF, where I will then take the "Western Expres" route over through the Sierras and into Nevada, Utah and end Colorado.
I'm considering a Friday mainly because I intend to do some international touring next summer and want a folding bike. I also live in Eugene, and have heard great things about their warranty, service, quality, etc. I would be most likely going with a 24 speed.