+1 -- I retired this last summer, and one of my goals was to write a book about bike touring basics. I learned most of my touring like Machka, and thought there needed to be something for the person just getting into touring. As I started to do my research to see what was already out there, one of the first books I picked up was the Sierra Club's book. My first reaction was Oh %$#*! This is just the kind book I thought was needed. I was fortunate this was one of the first books I looked at. It saved me from wasting a lot of time

A lot of my perception about the need for a basic touring book was driven by the topics of many of the threads on this and other forums.

Having said that, reading about bike touring does not replace experience. However, it may head off a few of those "teachable moments."

I just started reading it and am learning some things ,e.g., reversing the direction of your chain when you clean it will double the life of the chain. I've been working on bikes since I was about 10 years old, and this is the first time I've heard about this practice. Contrary to what my wife thinks, I'm still teachable.