Welcome Matt.
We sell the Jamis Aurora at the shop I work at (
Intown Bicycles). Awesome bike for touring.
I've never done a cross country tour but starting in September seems a little late in the year to me. By the time you get to the west coast it will be cold weather. Riding thru New Mexico and AZ can be cold. Brrrrr.
Anyway, stop by the
Touring forum for suggestions about your tour.
And stop by the
Southeast Regional subforum and say hello to the locals.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.