20lbs is a gear weight, it doesn't include food and water....for those add another 6 or 7 lbs. I always start the day with 2L of water and often more in my rear pockets, saddlebag or handlebar bag. I carry couscous, fruit, tortillas, cheese salami in my handlebar bag and will buy extra food at the end of the day to cook that night.
I understand. There are ultralight tourers that are going with 15 pounds and less of gear; see:
https://www.adventurecycling.org/adv...light-touring/ But I'm not into that much sacrifice of comfort to tour like that, I was forced into super ultralight camping years ago and I never want to do that again, especially since I'm in my 60's and not late the teens and early 20's.