Too bad that Surly no longer makes the Traveler's Check, as that would be the optimal solution for all of your needs.

Btw, do the farmers and ranchers know you're planning on cutting through their pastures? I can't sympathize about wanting to avoid high speed traffic, but if I had my choice between a 2 lane road or a cow trail, I'd stick to the black top and be lit up front and rear- day and night- with the brightest lights I could find.