Gina, I haven't ridden one but when I had my shop I saw a few go down the coast along with Motobecane mixtes and all manner of bikes. The bike is perfectly capable if you are. Like everyone says make sure it's all serviced. My only suggestion is to not overload the rear wheel. Depending on the amount of stuff you're carrying,the less the better, it's always worth getting some weight down low on the frame and on the front wheel, whether that's a front rack and panniers, small roll tied securely on the bars or water bottles on the frame tubes. Piling everything on the back rack is easy and not a good idea.
I just looked at a photo of a UO18, it would be worth getting a water bottle cage on the down tube and somehow one on the mixte double top tube (it must be possible). The one on the down tube wouldn't be one you'd get to while pedaling but would be retrieved while stopped. I'd check out the ones that can hold a big 1-2liter bottle.
Last edited by LeeG; 06-26-09 at 01:24 AM.