I have a 2004 Litespeed Blue Ridge and I'm wanting to get a fork that can hold a pannier rack and fenders. I'm currently running a Vicious Cycles cross fork which is okay for commuting but I'm hoping to get out and do some camping rides and don't know where to begin.

Thanks.

Surly maks some good ones or you could always get a custom.

There's not a whole lot out there in the aftermarket in terms of a true touring fork. The Surly Long Haul Trucker fork is a real nice fork, but the 700c version has a very long axle to crown measurement. Check that and the rake to make sure you'll be abe to use it. Bikeman had some touring forks featured on their web site a while back. Fairly expensive, but that might not prohibitive considering you've got a Litespeed. You could call them and see what they've got.

I have a Litespeed from when I worked there and actually got in trade for some photography work. For that kind of money I'd get a custom steel with lugs.

Yeah, I've been looking and it's hard to find anything. I think the Surly weighs more than my frame. Guess I could just save some money and get a custom fork from jonny cycles.

I think the LHT fork is pretty close to most cross forks in terms of axle to crown, but is a little longer. Part of the difference is that the LHT has a lot of rake, stretching that distance a bit. If you want a longer fork, it may be the way to go. If you just want a stronger fork, it may not be. Check your own axle to crown measurement and check it out.

You might call Walt at Waltworks. I think he's in Colorado. Anyway, his main market is MTB frame and fork fabrication. He made a custom touring fork for my hard tail, and it included low rider bosses custom fit to a Bruce Gordon low front rack as well as fender bosses. I can't remember the price, but it was affordable, custom, and weighed less than a boat anchor.

Here's a photo of a cyclocross fork he did, so of course it's for 700c wheels:
http://www.waltworks.com/dev/gallery/Forks/CXfork

Mine also has tapered legs, but he also does a straight leg (pipe) style for the offroad crowd. Both might be more burly looking then a roadie normally uses, but then again they might not...

Thanks, I will.