I, too, want to vote for a separation between touring experiences/plans and equipment.

As an experienced tourer, I already have most of the equipment I need. Reading post after post about which bike to buy or bags vs trailer or camelback yes or no, adds very little to my touring experience. However, a small tidbit about a route I am planning on taking might transform my tour.

Another thing I deplore about the equipment threads is the snide remark involving someone's pet peeve or sacred doo-dad. I rarely read such stuff in the touring threads.

Ray