Motel bike touring

[oppeljs]

I'm planning a bike tour on a road bike (not touring bike) and staying only at motels.  I'm an experienced biker and backpacker so know how to pack light.  I'm looking for advice on how to pack the panniers (carry weight high, low, evenly distributed?).  I've got small panniers - about 1700 cu in for both and a rear trunk bag.  (I've just put a rear rack on the bike.)

Any advice would be appreciated - about packing, how a road bike handles with a light load (15 lbs? or so), etc.  

Thanks,
Joan

[JayH]

You kind of want to have heavier things low. A lower center of gravity will help the bike's handling.

You might want to make a practice run, if not with real gear, perhaps using deadweight just so you can get the feel of touring with a loaded bike. Don't think you'll notice too much difference, 15lbs isn't that much, you'll notice it more at slow speeds than normal speeds though so get the hang of it in a empty parking lot.

Jay

[RussellSeaton]

Here is a list of things Jobst Brandt packs for his 2,000 mile credit card tours in the Alps.  The handling and packing questions you ask about are nonexistent with minimal baggage.

http://www.trentobike.org/General/Packing_List.html

[oppeljs]

Thank you both for the helpful information and the link.  

Joan