http://www.bicycletouring101.com/
The True Story of The Decline of The Touring Bike
Touring bicycles are usually equipped with luggage racks front and rear, designed to hold panniers or other forms of luggage. Because of the increased weight requirements and reliability demands, touring bicycles typically consist of steel frames and forks, comfortable handlebars and saddles for long-distance riding, combined with durable hubs, double-wall rims and 36-spoke wheels to provide the durability and reliability essential for loaded touring. Sometimes instead of panniers bicycle trailers are towed. Some riders prefer them because they provide a low center of gravity and can be detached easily. However, they decrease maneuverability.
Touring bicycle frames typically have a long wheelbase and stable steering geometry, with numerous attachments for luggage racks, fenders (mudguards), lights, water bottles, tools and spare parts. Chainstays must be long enough to accommodate panniers without their brushing the rider’s heels, and the entire structure must be stiff enough to safely handle long, fast descents with the machine fully loaded.
Touring bicycles traditionally employ wide-ratio derailleur gears, often with a very low gear, referred to in some countries as a “granny gear”, for steep hills under load. internal-geared hubs have become popular in recent years because of their robustness and low maintenance.
Touring bicycles are sometimes equipped with cantilever brakes or linear-pull brakes, instead of the caliper brakes used on racing bicycles. The need for mudguard (fender) and wide tire clearance can sometimes preclude the use of caliper road brakes, which may be excessively large and flexible if made to fit a touring bike. Some newer touring bicycles use disc brakes, because of their superior stopping power in wet weather.
Thus, touring bikes trade some speed for utility and ruggedness. This combination is popular with commuters and couriers as well.
Wikipedia
Jennifer’s Bicycle Commuting Suggestions
Hennessy Hammocks are most comfortable when suspended off the ground as a bugproof enclosed bed or folded into a chair or lounger for relaxing around camp. When there are no trees or other supports, they are superior to a bivy sack when set up on the ground as a tent.
Hennessy Hammock
Klean Kanteen – Steel water bottle