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@edscoble
British audax bicycle, especially the Spa are build for bigger tyres clearance, mudguard and rack over a standard road bike, that's what they believed to be the best geometry for long distance ride.
Meaning that a front load will feel a little crap on a normal mid trail geometry (between 50-60mm trails, typical of performance bike for optimised handling without a front load), but will feel fine with a rack/saddlebag as the frame is build for this (assuming so).
In order to optimise the handling of the bicycle with a front load, busseynova's suggestion of the recently announced Soma low-trail* fork will make a difference, giving you a what felt like, a more nimble ride that's very light to the touch without a front load.
*usually between 30-40mm trails).
doppelkorn, from riding audaxes, I find a front bag really useful being able to access certain stuff while in the move, something I couldn't quite do with my small Carradice saddlebag, having access to mobile phone, iPod, energy bar, rain cape meaning I won't have to pull over to get it out (even thought it's not a race).
I've tried two completely different set-up, the British way, and the French way, I prefer the latter, naturally it's very much a personal preference rather than a superior option.