I know the excitement is building as your tour start date nears. (I get this way every year about this time!) It's gonna be a great experience for you!

First of all, if I were you I'd definitely switch out your front and rear gears. The 52x42x30 is a road triple designed, primarily, for an unloaded road bike. Go ahead and get a 48x46x24--you'll thank yourself later. And while you're at it, get 12-34 in the rear. With that combo you'll be ready for anything.

The aches and pains that you're noticing can come from imperfect fit, the wrong equipment (handlebars, saddle) for *you*, and can even reflect fitness level. Early in the spring most years I find that after 55-60 miles I develop a number of aches--neck, shoulders, back...But as the season goes on and I get more miles in the saddle, lift some weights, do some back exercises, etc., I can easily ride 80-100 mi. day after day. One thing about a long tour, while it's important to train and get ready, we are seldom in as good a shape at the beginning of a tour as we are at the end. Hey, by the end we usually feel invincible! So, what's the point of all of this? Consider your equipment and how it fits you, and also consider your overall fitness level.

Just some thoughts,

Ted Phelps
Central Valley, California