Re: your worst touring bike

 My "worst touring bike" an Alpine Centurian (ca 1978) that I used on my 
first multiday solo trip. This trip was about a 250-300 mile trip form 
Ridgecrest, CA to Panamint Springs (near Death Valley) up over the White Mts 
to Lone Pine, then back down through Owens Valley to Ridgecrest.
I suppose my kit didn't help much either; cut of jeans, tennis shoes, 
sleeping bag & tarp strapped to my bars, and the rest of my gear carried in 
a back pack.  If I had not found some great mentors in the Kern Wheelman 
(Bakersfield, CA) it may well have been my last tour.