My interest in touring goes back to a one month trip across Canada and northern states my family did when I was 8. We've also cross the USA and back more or less in the middle, and several shorter trips. Always by car, camping and with minimum gear. With 4 four kids with no trailer or roof box, I learned to pack light and efficiently. Ever since, I've been wanting to travel by 1)van (econoline type) 2)motorcycle (loved those Goldwings) and 3)bicycle. I've actually owned and lived in a van during my tree-planting days in Saskatchewan. Never ridden a motorcycle. The appeal of bike was and still is the idea of self-propelled traveling.