Thanks for all the responses, folks. My bike handles just dandy when the rear panniers are full of tons of heavy groceries, so I'm thinking the stability thing shouldn't be a problem. The ideas for the front rack seem pretty sound, but I'd have to buy the rack! Fortunately, I sleep in a hammock and I'll be in the south in the summer, so I surely won't need a sleeping bag either. I think I just may be able to do it...