Ten years ago I bought a Cannondale touring bike. I hadn't toured since 1980 and had no specific plans to tour, but had always hoped to do some more. Having the bike at least facilitated and possibly forced me to go touring, so the next year my bike and I went to Austria. It was such a great trip that I have since toured in Europe two more times a have done a number of shorter tours here in North America. So, if you have any aspirations to go touring, get a touring bike. I hate to think of what I would have missed had I not bought that bike.