If you are planning to use front panniers, I wouldn't use a bike with a carbon fork. Also the Trek 520 can sometimes be found on a deeeep discount. I got my first one for $650. It would be worth the extra $ if you know you are going to love touring and do it alot.

Do you have a mountain bike or just BMX? Maybe you could buy or borrow a BOB trailer, to limit your initial expenses. I hate BOB's by the way, but it would be a cheaper way to go than purchasing bike + racks + panniers. That's what I did for my first tour. You can also put racks on a mountain bike, Old Man Mountain makes racks that mount with special skewers, so you don't have to have braze-on rack mounting points. Just put slick tires on it and away you go.

I find it pretty hard to find touring companions, I think it would be even harder with no itinerary. Maybe you could try to join someone else's tour. Try adventurecycling.org, they have a companions wanted section.

Lone Peak panniers are quite good and relatively inexpensive. You might also find something at REI-Outlet.com.

Good luck!


Anna