I was on a weekend ride and stopped to stretch my legs and rest my butt and met an older fellow who was working out in a little bit of pasture... he commented on the nice modern touring bike I had (My 1988 Kuwahara Cascade) and then related how he and his friend rode from Edmonton and did the golden triangle on a Raleigh 3 speed and an upright coaster bike back in the late fifties.

No special gear and just two friends off to explore the world... seems like many of us can't make it past the driveway until we are riding several thousand dollars of bike with all the latest and greatest equipment.

Not that some nice kit does not make for a more enjoyable trip.