I almost bought that color myself. The Bike Shop didn't have one in my size that color, and I didn't want to wait for one to come in.
The wine color was beautiful. But the blue is not bad. I think one year they also made a gold-colored model. They changed the design around 2004, and switched to a straight top-tube, instead of the classy mildly curved top-tube. It's a shame, because the looks really suffer now. The newer ones just look like an overgrown MTB with street tires.
Specialized Crossroads make excellent long-distance touring bikes. You just need to replace the flat handlebars with a set of Scott, or Nashbar Trekking handlebars, and you're good to go. Profile makes a nice set of long-distance bars called Commuter Bars, that are of a similar design. I have the Nashbar model. I do Century's all the time on my Crossroads (when I am not trying to show off my 1978 Cannondale Criterium), and I have taken two-week long tours with it with little trouble. I think my longest ride so far has been from Chatsworth, Ga. to Tampa, Fl in 9 days. I came back via Greyhound.
I don't even have a Driver's License anymore (gave it up voluntarily 4 years ago in protest to high gas prices, and I also question the States authority to require a license to use my own personal property to travel on public roads). I bicycle everywhere. I do use public transportation sometimes (we have a shuttle service in Chatsworth, Ga.), but not much. It's amazing how much money a car costs you to own and operate. I love my bicycles.