A lot of this boils down to what we as individuals find aesthetically pleasing. Some folks like long tours, some like short ones, some prefer exploring nearby locales, others more distant ones, some like the idea of a point to point trip, others a loop.
Originally Posted by
bikenh
The only thing that limits you is your imagination. There are so many ways to work around problems if you just learn to use your imagination.
I don't consider flying to or from my trip limiting or a problem. I consider to be enabling and a way to maximize my options.
So why not take advantage of other means of transportation. Cost? I am not wealthy, but I made decent money before I retired and lived a fairly frugal life. A few hundred dollars added to a multi-week or multi-month trip just isn't a big deal. Hassle? Logistically, to me at least flying to or from a tour isn't a big deal either.
I guess if the purity of sticking to strictly non motorized appeals to you that could be a big plus, but that just isn't a big motivation to me with regard to getting to and from my tour.
Originally Posted by
bikenh
There is no reason not to do home to home bike trips.
True, and if that type of trip appeals to you that is great, but in my opinion there is also no reason not to take advantage of other means of travel to start and/or finish far away from home if there are advantages that matter to you.
It isn't like one or the other kind of trip has a monopoly on challenge or adventure. We should all do the type of trip that we find works for us. We can find plenty of adventure and challenge either way if we allow ourselves to.