Your bike should do fine. As others have mentioned the 8 speed is more than adequate. Looking at the specs on K2's website, the gearing seems comparable to most "touring" bikes. If you think you may need a little lower gearing, a 12-34 cassette and a 26 or 24 tooth small chainring would give you a couple of extra shifs going uphill. I suspect that the components on touring bikes tend to evolve as things wear out and "wants or needs" are evaluated through experience. My present touring bike is definately not the same bike I purchased four years ago.