dead? commuting, and biking enthusiasm

is this place dead?

I go to UofT and use my hard laboured (self-built) middle end (105 drive 
train, veloce crank, deore lx ****fters/levers, etc.) road bike to go to 
school once in a while. I built the bike for some bike tours I was 
planning. Didnt have the time to make them a reality yet.

Anyway: I intended to bike the 18km to school everyday (we have showers 
facilities at university)... but was impared by the extremly busy school 
schedule (which prevents me from proper sleep). Now I noticed that even 
on the rare ocassion when I get a chance to bike it there, I dont enjoy 
it all too much. Half the ride I have to go on fairly main roads and I 
get pushed by the traffic. I also have this subconscious "race against 
yourself" philosophy which is tiring.

After analysing the situation I came to the conclusion that I dont like 
having a destination. Hence not enjoying the pressure of commutting. Now 
I believe that I would enjoy bike touring a lot. Reason for it is that I 
need not reach any place at any time. I can practically stroll on the 
bike (on the predefined path) and enjoy the landscape as I see fit. When 
night starts setting I need to search for a place to lay tent and can 
eat, read, etc.

I actually built the bike only for a Toronto - Montreal trip, which I 
will do sometime.   Meanwhile I really grew a desire for a tour such as 
Calgary - Banff - (Jasper) - Vancouver. Jasper section is nice county 
but lengthens the trip by a VERY significant bit which could render it 
not feasible. Another trip I'd like to do is the maritimes.

What do you, other bikers out there make out of the above. From your 
experience with biking/commuting/touring, do you think this make sense? 
How do you feel about the whole commuting/touring/etc. concept?

Darie

PS. I practically always bike alone, but if there are any road bikers 
around Toronto (west end) that would like a biking partner email me. Im 
a 20yo guy. And particularly for the big tours... Id rather bike with 
someone (although none of my friends are really into road biking or 
touring; moreso they think Im nuts and attempt to discourage me in 
various ways)