I started in the early 80s with a Miyata 1000, a classic tourer for its' times. Replaced with a Bianchi Volpe in 87 after crashing the Miyata. In those days it was what Bianchi called a hybrid bike, what might be called a comfort bike now, but had all the right attachments to serve me as a tourer. When that got mangled 6 years later a LBS pal sold me a C'dale touring frame for $60.00 and assembled a working bike out of the parts of the first two. It still runs yet has been replaced in use by a Bruce Gordon BLT in a slightly larger frame size. Now there is a pure loaded touring bike. Bruce will sell you a complete bike or equip it with whatever you want. To a point. Like if you want one of his touring frames equiped as a fixie forget it. He can custom make anything you want with time. A BLT can be had much more quickly.
www.bgcycles.com