Originally Posted by Machka

No ... long distance cycling is quite different from touring.

Touring is when you load up panniers full of travel gear onto a rear (and possibly front) rack, and set off on an adventure where you ride, generally, less than 100 km a day over a weekend or several days, weeks, or months. For touring you want a strong, comfortable bicycle with the capability to carry fairly heavy loads.

Long distance cycling (especially the randonneuring type of long distance cycling) is when you try to cover a very long distance in a relatively short period of time. For example, the 300 km brevet has a time limit of 20 hours, including all breaks ... the 600 km brevet has a time limit of 40 hours ... the 1200 km has a time limit of 90 hours. For long distance cycling you want a comfortable yet relatively light, fast bicycle. Long distance cycling is more about day events (i.e. a double century, a brevet, or a 24-hour race) or "all-at-once" events (i.e. 1200 km randonnee, Furnace Creeek 508, or RAAM).

I believe it was coasting who brought up the topic of "sportive" bicycles. "Sportive" bicycles are also known as "sports touring" bicycles, or "audax" bicycles. They have a geometry that is somewhere between that of a touring bicycle and a racing bicycle. They are designed for long distance cycling. And that's what Machak is ... and what I want my new bicycle to be.

I do both long distance cycling and touring ... although I tend to do more long distance cycling than I do touring.