oh and I agree with your earlier comment that discovering I don't like cycle touring 2 weeks into a trip with poor infrastructure isn't ideal. Thats why I was hoping to take a cheap bike that I can you know, leave on the side of the road, if I decide I hate it. I'm going to pack my things into a 25Ltr bag and put it on the back of the bike (I have researched the best method to do this by) so it will be easy to carry when I am not with my bike, or if I ditch my bike completely. I know it makes the centre of gravity higher but I talked to a guy who did this and he reckoned he got used to it really quickly, and hey I won't know any different right?
I know that going on a practice tour might make me realise if I hate it before I go, but I don't really have the time, and am possibly too lazy... (I know I shouldn't have said that)