yeah ragbrai was awesome! especially fixed.
we had a van which was really great since we could
hit up costco & have plenty of capri suns & gatorades.
and lawn chairs.

Once I did a short camping trip by myself in wisconsin
and I used a large saddle bag, a triangle frame pack,
and my messenger bag. (ended up my timbuk2
was lighter when it was filled with clothes instead of
my normal commuting junk). it was a lot of fun.
I left my stuff at a LBS so I could do a 60 miler on
the hills of kettle moraine, wi in just my spandex.

If I had to do a self supported tour I wouldn't bring
much more stuff, but I would definitely ask AL5 &
Ryan_C about getting a rack & panniers.

have fun,
jeff