The idea struck me when I was reading about the worlds most travelled man on the Bike Friday site.

Ive been itching to get my hands on a Raleigh Twenty for a little while now, hopefully by monday ill score a cheap project one to fiddle with. Originally it was intended as the all-around bike. Groceries, something for my girlfriend to ride around on occasionally, and travel (popping to see friends in another town, etc.). At the same time ive been looking into building another bike for some touring, something stable and strong enough to carry all my camping gear and still handle well and not be torture to ride.

I got to thinking, the twenty is touted as having a "bulletproof" hinge mechanism, takes a rack front and back (ill make it, if it doesnt) and looks like it would have a low enough centre of gravity to make it handle great at speed when it loaded down. It would fit on a coach bus or train better than a full hybrid or lightweight, and would fit easier into my canoe as well. Why not kill two purposes with one bike, and set up the twenty as a grocery mule, and convert it to a tourer when I need to?

Any thoughts on taking a twenty for a two-to-four day ride, packed with about 40-50 pounds of gear? And what about the three-speed hub? It gets a little hilly up North here. Will it be strong enough to do the job?

Speed isnt a huge issue, if I can make 100km a day im happy. Can that little bike pull it off?

Im calling on your esteemed knowledge, your input is much appreciated!

(oh and dont bother recommending a dahon or a bike friday, this is about the twenty, thanks!)