Hey. I'm new to this site and i'm new to touring. Although i do already cycle i have never toured in the actual sense. I mean i have never done more than 120mile in one cycle, but it is something i've always been attracted to and i even knew that i would eventually try. Well i'm ready and i would just like to ask what bikes some of you guys would recommend. I have a road bike at the moment which i use for everything. It's my means of transport, i use it for my evening cycle and i use it for my weekend long distance cycle. My long distance could be 60mile before stopping and eating, getting coffee and just relaxing and enjoying being wherever i am. Everything i need for this 120 i can carry in a bag on my back.

This summer and for the first time i want to be able to load a bike with the required equipment to live on the road and tour. I just wouldn't trust my road bike for touring. It's vey light and it's very easy to break presta valves. Especially if you're hot, flustered, hungry, dehydrated and it's dark. I will be able to spend £500 an a bike but if you guys feel as much as £600 would make the difference, then please name the bike. I want a bike i can rely on for it's durability both on tour and in the long run. I want a bike that if i were to look after it and have it regularly serviced it would give me enough years so that i will be sad to see it go. I'm not worried about it's appearance or it's name. I want it for it's reliability. I befriend a bike and not using the bike i have at the moment as much i have been will be saddening. So, name a bike you feel you could befriend, a bike you would be sad to see go and not a bike that you think is good but you know you couldn't love.

Many thanks!