If I strip the bike down and secure it tightly with stout zap straps, it shouldn't weight more, or be much bigger than a folding bike. I have well over 1000 miles to go on normal roads as well, so would much more prefer to use a bike set up for touring.
If you're curious about the area, go to Lillooet b.c.canada cariboo on google and scroll over to:-
It's between 51"06'50.67N 122"o2'34.93"W and 51"08'34.49"N 122"03'10.69"W