"I am no troll, thank you." does that mean your a 'Yupper'? *giggle*
are you going to be doing loaded touring or more like long day trips and weekend overnighters? don't rule out something like the quirky but loveable Bianchi Volpe, or the slightly more "roadie" Imola both great bikes.
IMHO if you a novice I would not buy at RIE. I have nothing against them but I think you may get better and more specialized support from a regular bike store.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk