After a 20yr layoff from jumping on a bike and coming off the couch after two serious surgeries that sidelined me for about 15mo, me and my lady Ms. Mint Julep got down to the end of the Mississippi. We had some mighty cold and nasty weather. Thanks to everyone who answered all my noobie questions starting back in June. Now I get to ask more questions

If I wanted to do something more off road like the Great Divide route of the Arizona trail, could I modify my Vaya or would it just be a lot better to save up and get another bike? I suppose I could sell my current bike, but we bonded after 2000+ miles along the river and I would hate to see her go. I see people using Surly Troll’s, ECR’s and a lot of Salsa Cutthroats on those routes online. I am guessing people would recommend against carbon as it is more cost prohibitive and less durable for someone looking to hold onto a bike for a while?? Do people have certain bike suggestions that they like for bikepacking trails like these or “around the world” type of bikes? I would ideally like something to do more off road, in nature routes like these. But, I would also like the bike to eat some pavement once in a while. I felt like the MRT was just way too much highway mileage and I’d like to get away from cars more. With my injuries, I do need a more “forgiving” bike. I felt my loaded Vaya on the gravel sections of the MRT was a bit rough.

Thanks for all the help guys. Learning every day and so excited to be able to bike!