Each tourist eventually comes to the style of touring they like most; long weekends, cross country, motel hopping, ultralight, or heavier. Personally I carry between 15 and 20 lbs of gear because it is the most comfortable for me. I'm more comfortable camping with my current gear than with older, heavier and more numerous bits of gear I once used. But I don't want to go to a tarp, rather than a tent, because of bugs, that's my limit. I'm more comfortable riding with less gear and find it far easier to use public transportation when necessary. I don't like wearing dirty clothes, so I have one spare set and I wash the day's clothes every night. If they don't dry overnight I hang them on the bike and they are dry by lunch time and can be packed away.

I travel on a CF bike with a handlebar bag and a saddlebag because I find it more comfortable and enjoyable than with a more conventional touring set up. The goal isn't to go ultralight in itself, but rather to make touring easier and more fun. I enjoy my riding more with a more lively/faster bike and knowing that I can ride longer and faster than with a heavier setup reassures me. Lots of people will not enjoy the approach, but some will and I encourage those that find it intriguing to give it a go.