Missing the Sun

My special lady is down in New Mexico waiting out the dark frigid weeks of mid-December, filling her days with sunshine, spicy food, lazy bike rides in the Gila Wilderness, and quality time with family and friends.

Along with the requisite 5 pounds of green chilli and fresh made tamales, she will be returning to Alaska with a lovely dark blue 43 cm Surly Traveler's Check frameset. The venerable Cross Check frame with the addition of S and S couplers allowing easy air travel sans oversize luggage fees. 

Surly Travelers Check Bicycle Frame with S and ... - S and S Machine

This will serve as great winter build project to piece together a trusty steed for commuting, fall cyclocross races, light bike-packing, and bike touring.  First tentative trip will be through France, Spain, and possibly Portugal as time allows  with a route focused on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.