I've never done one either. I did a lot of touring before the organized tour business got organized. If you are travelling in a foriegn, or a distant part of your own, country. Finding your own way; finding food and shelter; and meeting the local people or other travellers, is part of the adventure of bike touring. The people on tours seem so much part of a closed little group on their own tight schedule. But manyof them are busy in their own lives and professions, that they might not have the time to do an independent self supported tour.