I bought my daughter an OCR 3 for her first road touring, due to its size and general availability where we live. I modified the ubolts that came with a low rider and mounted one on the front, and as you know it took a rear rack fine. Its worked fine, and is a good enough for touring my only suggestion is to get good tough tires that will fit the front fork, its rather tight. That said we found a touring frame and made up bike that is much better suited for touring, her comment was the new bike is an easier bike to ride with gear. We have since striped down the OCR and its now here fast road riding bike, skinny tires and all.
Have fun on your trip I am sure it will change your life!