Alekhine & Rowan :
I appreciate the kind words. But my advice is like anyone elses it should be taken with a grain of salt and chased with a glass of healthy skeptisim. True I build my own bikes and have been riding a long time, but I am far from being an expert about bikes or touring and I am often proven incorrect or ill informed.
Remember, This is the internet we all are blonde,slim and ride a 100 miles a day