Good point. I'll look into it more. It could be a handy technique when I'm paddling within the city so I can get back home without having to carry the thing too far.

The nice thing about folding canoes is that I can take it on the bus

The OP stated bike better than hiking. I maintain motorcycle better than bicycle. Not as good as jeep or RV.

It appears to me that the high plains of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, North and South Dakota type of conditions aren't being considered. Even on a motorcycle those places are largely to be avoided. If you don't die of dehydration you'll die of boredom.

And as an odd slightly related fact- the Laramie Wyoming valley is not a river valley. It is a wind created valley. And it's still on the job. Maybe if you were going downwind it would be ok..... prairie schooner anyone?

Folding bikes- I know folks who own airplanes who use folding bikes for transportation on arrival. Clever solution.

Can you put a sail on a bicycle? If you could I bet you could makes some awesome time.

BTDT, just sat upright and held my shirt as a sail -- continued for miles with no pedaling required. Very

Only downwind.

They haven't quite solved tacking yet....

Many years ago I spent 7 months touring around Europe on an old mountain bike. It was a great trip and a great way to travel.

Once you take the front and rear wheels off you should be able to fit a bike in a canoe.

I saw this folding bike a while ago but there no mounts for racks so you would need to carry things in a pack, which is uncomfortable, or rig up a trailer.

http://www.militarybikes.com/products.html

Military folding bikes aren't new. I've read that British have sometimes been issued folding bikes...paratroopers too I think?

Montague is one of the main folding bike makers. Pricey but good stuff.

I'd have a trailer for anything but commuting and day trips. Easy to make.

That's too much for my wallet Izzy (nice bike though). My RC-30 was a $700 bike that I picked up at a pawn shop for $275. Unfortunately I've been unable to find folding bikes. Not popular enough to wind up in pawn shops I guess.

Speaking of frames, may I recommend the Surly Long Haul Trucker. Cro-Moly frame and geometry designed for long rides. $.02