Touring.

[gavroche]

Has anyone ever gone touring with just a road bike, possibly small rucksack on your back and a credit card. No camping stuff and a nice bed in a b&b or hotel every night . In other words, just like going for a ride but sleeping in different places every day? That's my idea of touring.

 

[Brandane]

Has anyone ever gone touring with just a road bike, possibly small rucksack on your back and a credit card. No camping stuff and a nice bed in a b&b or hotel every night . In other words, just like going for a ride but sleeping in different places every day? That's my idea of touring.

Yes; it's easy enough to do these days with internet access on your phone allowing you access to sites like laterooms.com or booking.com which makes finding accommodation in whatever area you end up in relatively easy. Just don't stray too far away from populated areas, or go touring on bank holiday weekends, or you might still struggle to find a bed, especially if funds are limited. As you will know, France is great for this as there is a good supply of budget hotels in most medium or bigger sized towns.
I expect it also depends how long you plan to go touring for. You need to carry clothes - although I find I can make do with 3 sets, each consisting of padded shorts, tee shirt, socks. Wash one set each night so you always have one set to wear, another drying, and another clean set.
A few years ago I was on the Portsmouth to Caen ferry with bike and 4 panniers. There was another group on bikes - 4 of them heading off for a weeks tour. They didn't have a pannier between them; in fact nothing bigger than 1 saddle pack each! I hate to think what they were going to smell like on the return ferry trip.

 

[Ajax Bay]

You don't need a rucsac: a decent sized saddle bag will do, and keeps weight (and sweat) off your back. All you need besides what you'd take on a long day ride is shorts and a t-shirt, USBx3 plug, leads, toothbrush/paste, chamois creme, spare socks, possibly spare shorts (or make sure overnight stops have a place where your used then washed shorts will dry). A cycle top if washed will always be dry by the morning (so reports (@Brandane ) of smells can be grossly exaggerated). With variable weather the bag will need to cope with arm and leg warmers (if not worn) and maybe overboots or at least toe covers).
Most recently worked for this: South Wales Triangle - Bristol > SevernBr > Aberystwyth > St Ann's Hd > SevernBr
Stayed in YHs and B&B; 675km/8999m in 3 and 1/2 days, but could have done same again ie total a week, no problem.

 

[midliferider]

Yes, many times in Europe.

 

[ufkacbln]

These days save even more weight... leave the card behind and use your phone / watch to pay

 

[steveindenmark]

Have you read the Transcontinental Race post?

 

[jay clock]

Yes. Usually I do full on pannier stuff but on this trip https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1M2&doc_id=17306&v=3d I went lightweight (pics of luggage). Bag and rack worked well from Rose Bikes and were this https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:24816 and this https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/product/detail/aid:50971 . Carried one spare set of cycle kit and one ultralight set of off bike stuff. Shoes are the biggest challenge both in terms of weight and size

Prebooked b&Bs for a few reasons but with booking.com I would have been happy to take the risk

 

[albal]

Never tried it, but if I did it would be without rucksack, sweat on back would piss me off. Just rinse out clothes nightly. Dry out whilst riding,

 

[jay clock]

+1 for no rucksack. Small handlebar bag helps

 

[MichaelW2]

I've done it hostelling in Ireland.
You probably need more luggage than California style"credit card touring", ie waterproofs, warm clothing, off bike clothing, repair kit, food. A Carradice style saddlebag + bar bag is the traditional solution.

 

[snorri]

No, I wouldn't consider it, sounds more like an endurance test than an enjoyable holiday. The stress of trying to find accommodation each evening would be too much, and if you were to book ahead you would have to make a plan and stick to it which negates the freedom of touring. Also it is good to carry sufficient clothes to cope with variations in weather, cold and dampness soon sap energy and enthusiasm.

 

[Simon_m]

I use this bag with my road bike. I rucksack can get uncomfortable especially in the heat

http://webm8.com/france2016/blog/day01/0041.htm

 

[Fab Foodie]

Yes, but one gets ones butler to carry on he credit card....

 

[midliferider]

In a word, yes.
You do cycling.
For everything else, there is MasterCard.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Lightweight bike packing kit has never been easier to find. Small bar bag and dry-bag.