Another way to multiply hand positions is to install an aerobar. An Aerobar provides an advantage that cannot be obtained with any other kind of handlebar that I know of: you can ride without gripping hard. I curl my hands around the aerobar, but do not grip it. In other words, the hands get a rest. I have been touring with aerobars clipped on to drop handlebars since 1994, and I now consider them absolutely indispensable. My hands do not get numb anymore.
The Aerobar that I use can be attached both to straight and drop bars: the Profile Design AirStyke:
http://www.profile-design.com/produc...airstryke.html
The arm-pads are spring-loaded; they are out of the way when you are not using them. I have a plastic and Velcro map-case that fits in the diamond-shaped area. It’s very convenient.
I recently posted two pictures in the “Touring” forum in the thread called “When cows and bicyclists meet.” The aerobars and map case are visible in both pictures.
An article on optimizing the position of aerobars appears here:
www.tri-ecoach.com/art20.htm
Alan