Road bike recommendations

Sure, some are real all-rounders, like the Genesis Croix de Fer etc. But that Kona is a CX race bike, really. As you say - not really any better or worse than a road bike. I was gently trolling Scoble tbh.

It is one of the most diverse cyclocross bikes ever. It can race, commute, train, tour or just plain ride.

^ from your link.

I guess people have different ideas of what touring entales, and how much kit they'll want with them.