"I can understand how cost-benefit analysis comes in when trying to get support for investment in infrastructure but I find it all a bit off-putting"

IN most places in NA investment in cycle touring would be insane. There are so few cycle tourists on the ground that any plan that looks like it might attract cycle tourists probably has some underlying flaw. I identified with what Caretaker said, I just want to go there and not have problems riding existing roads. I am not looking for some large infrastructure, just stop making life miserable for cyclists. Real cyclists for the most part want to be allowed to ride existing roads, stuff like soft paving on shoulders is what drives me crazy. Looks like ashphalt, but turns out not to have been packed, then you wonder how far out you have to ride to hit something solid.