I'm still a bit gunshy with the idea of a loaded aluminum touring bike...having worked in metal fabrication with my dad (part time) for a while now, I know the catastrophic failures associated with aluminum, and don't know if I could stomach the idea of a 20 year old bike built from aluminum holding my fat butt and 50 lbs of gear...but I do love my Black Lightning. Maybe I'll have to start looking for a Cannondale Touring bike to add to the stable, even if it's for distance (i.e. brevet) cycling.
Cannondale is slowly turning my mind around about aluminum bikes. I guess I'm just not there yet...