GO FOR IT!!!

I'm sorry I can't really offer any suggestions. I also have a road bike and have not done any "touring". However, I'm so excited to hear that you are thinking about chasing your dream and I hope you figure out a way to do it. So, I'm encouraging you to go for it! Where there's a will, there's a way.

I have a mini dream of riding my road bike down to the beach (about 40 miles from a parking lot down to the beach and back). It's not a huge dream, just one I haven't done yet since I got my bike last summer. I've done it on the tandem with Dh more than once. A friend of mine is working on getting a road bike soon, so I think I'll have to plan a beach ride with her and our other girlfriend soon. If it would only stop raining around here!!!

Anyways, go for your dream and have fun! I'm sure you can figure out a way to do it.