I always used to ride a bike for transportation.
On a holiday in Ireland (travelling by bus and rail) someone at Bantry Bay hostel suggested cycling the Beara peninsular. I went down to the bike shop and hired a Raleigh Pioneer hybrid.
I packed a 25l daypac, strapped it to the rack. I left all my other gear at the hostel and we set off. I think there were 4 of us. We met more people riding around at the various hostels.
It was one of the best holidays I ever had.

I didnt have a special cycling kit but did have reasonable outdoor/hiking stuff. I debated whether to use trainers or boots and went for boots.
Ive been on other kinds of tour since, several hostel tours, fully supported, camping lightweight and camping wild. I still like hostel touring best.