Maybe you're reading this and wondering, could I do a credit card tour? Some reasons to try it:

Less stuff to carry than camping
I probably had a heavier kit than anyone else on this trip, about 17 lbs. I think one could easily get it down to 10 including bags, but I like the creature comforts that the extra 5-7 give me. It slows you down, but not nearly as much as a camping setup. Also, I'm getting older and sleeping in a tent on the ground isn't as appealing as it was in my youth.

Cost
Wanna talk dollars and cents? Compare to a car trip.

Current gas price in Petaluma, CA

Whenever I tour with more than one other person, we track and share costs using an app called Splittr. We trade off paying for hotels, dinners, breakfasts, and any other costs that can be shared, enter it in the app, and at the end of the tour it figures out the simplest way to settle up evenly. The only thing one pays by self is typically snacks and small purchases along the way, which typically amounts to less than 10% of the total cost. For this trip, the 5 days cost the 4 full monty riders about $800, or about $160/day. We save money with double occupancy hotels. Having a hot shower, clean sheets, and a comfy bed to sleep on every night helps revive us for the next day's ride.

Meet and get to know some great people
To paraphrase Will Rogers, I never met a touring cyclist I didn't like. Especially if they're riding steel. I try to add a newbie on every tour. This time it was an old friend I'd met working together at an LBS in Walnut Creek, Marc Singer.

My bazootawata gets sore riding a lot of miles - and you're asking me ride several days back to back?
I'll do a 30-40 mile ride at home, mostly non-stop, and even though I've smeared Bag Balm on certain places, my behind is sometimes still sore. After around 220 miles in 5 days, my bits are still good. I think it's because we stop often while touring to smell the roses, take pics, regroup, and sit down to have a coffee at Cafe Aquatica - or a small town restaurant.

Still not ready to take the plunge
I understand that many have commitments, work, kids, etc. Be a harbor pilot and get a taste. Heck, do as SwimmerMike did, take a Friday off and join up with a tour with only a long weekend spent.

You're not getting any younger. At some point I won't be able to physically do this. Try it, you'll like it!