A little history from a different perspective (I used to sell these at REI).

When REI decided to get into the bike business in 1983, they created a stand-alone company that would only sell to them. They called it Novara after the Italian city of that name. The first bike they offered was the Randonee, and it is still a mainstay of their lineup - virtually unchanged from those early days. I believe they use 4130 double-butted steel for their frames.

Very nice bike!