I love this discussion group!!! Wow - I really appreciate your suggestions - so many of them and within hours of me posting the question!

I live 40 miles west of St. Louis, where there's a REI, I will make a visit when I pick up my bike. But, we do have a gift card to Bass Pro, it may go towards this, I wouldn't have thought of them.

I only have room for 1 bottle on the new bike, so I may start with a smaller CB, with some cargo space and then see what happens. I too am used to carrying alot of stuff with me on the hybrid - powerbars, bandaids, tampon, spare tube, tools, sunscreen, insect repellent, hand wipes - so it will be hard for me to part with my "stuff" on the road and at the MS150.

Tuckervill, I'm almost same size, and the straps placement will be an issue. That didn't occur to me either. I'm glad that ya'll suggested that I try some on before buying!

Many thanks ladies!