I feel your pain.On my tourer I run as low as a 19" gear. It still propels me faster than walking uphill. Typically it's easier to start a couple of gears higher then click down and settle. It gets a bike with camping gear up Devon lanes.
Yes they do.A tourer (as opposed to a bike that has been used for touring) has mudguards surely
If you’re really, really smooth pedalling and seated it is ok.Ive never geared that low, so ask as a genuine question. When one gears that low, is there not a problem staying upright..... low speed, uphill, heavy bike, potential for wheelspin and/or wheelieing ?