Thanks all. Thanks for the links. I won't quote individual responses, it'll make for a long post, but there are some great ideas here:

- compress soft stuff in ziplock bags
- sleeping pad will go along the rack (along the bike length)
- front panniers: food and kitchen stuff
- organizing stuff by category/usage
- take a small bowl!
- having separate bags for clothes that are worn but usable and for the toxic stuff

I don't want to carry anything on my back. I mentioned a Camelbak Unbottle which is is bladder inside an insulated bag with attach hooks to either install it inside any other backpack or strap on top of something else. It looks like I may be able to modify it a bit to strap it to the downtube with the tube coming up and attached to my handlebar, that'd be awesome. This way I'll also have room for a medium size triangle bag.

I have the older version that looks like this:



I'm thinking about sewing two or three wide compressions straps to the outer shell, it's removable. Three would prevent bouncing. The strap at the top would go around the head tube to prevent it from sliding. I'll experiment with this and post my results. My only concern is that it may be too wide. Other option would be to hang it from the top tube so it'll stretch itself narrow, but then I'd lose space for the triangle bag. The top tube is slanted enough to allow proper water flow: the tube is attached at the bottom, the opposite side from the mouth.

I'll put the sleeping pad, tent, blankets, pillow, etc. inside the Sea To Summit dryscaks. I want to be waterproof as much as possible. I know from my hiking trips that getting your stuff wet can ruin your trip or at least make it miserable.

Thanks