Touring - Road/racing tire touring

I just tried my new and narrower tires, 622x25(that's one inch for the metrically challenged), and I'm amazed at the lack of friction. The bike seems to float on top of the road.

And I started thinking, since I'm quite a light packer, and if I stay on good roads, I'd like to try touring with them. I could then change for something heavy when I reach more challenging areas.

Has anyone tried long distance road/racing tire touring?

I haven't done any long distance but I did go on a one week tour last summer and a short 3 day in the fall with my wife. I only have an old Trek racing bike to use so that's what I use. I run some Specialized Armadillo tires in a 700x25 size. Works fine. My wife still had 700x23's and she did fine too. We were not fully loaded but we each had rear panniers at least, just no cooking equipment. Unless you're carrying a ton of weight, I see no reason why it should be a problem.

I commute on 700x23's and usually have 10+ pounds loaded on a rear rack. No problems what so ever.

One unsupported cross country on 700X25s, the next one will be on 700X28s.

Cross country on Armadillo 25's pulling a BOB. Problems only on gravel when I'd promptly crash. Wider tires are more comfy though.

I've read touring journals at crazyguyonabike.com by people using road race skinny tires. One of them used Continental Ultra Gatorskins for touring, and made it all the way across the Adventure Cycling Trans-America route :eek:

They proved it could be done. Of course, most of them only carried "light tour" type equipment, fitting everything they needed into a saddlebag and/or handlebar bag.