Mini-tour to Paris and back please

((Sorry this is a bit of a personal diary/to-do list as well as a call for help, so lots of ranting))

My degree is over!

Graduation is in July, and it would be nice before graduation to do a quick trip to Paris and back.

It would be my first multi-day-long-distance ride, but I've comfortably done 70-90 mile days training.

Back at my family home I have a Gossamer tent and a bunch of stuff like snugpak jungle bag from the little bit of camping a few years ago, but I really really don't want to do a proper cycle-tour. Bad as it sounds, I would prefer to carry less and stay in a hostel for a couple nights. First decision is weighing up that additional kit (s/bag, mat, tent, bivvy, etc), and I think I would prefer an overused mattress and a shower with hot water.

The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2010 is light but definitely not going to be useful, so steel is real, the Koga Miyata Runner survives the hard knocks of daily use, it may last out on the streets of Paris too. Also, it's a steel bike, I don't feel bad about attaching a larger saddlebag with some support.

The Koga is set up at 2x7 speed Shimano RX100/105, has Profile Century aero bars with a SwiftShift, so on long stretches I can vary between a lot of positions, so long as the weight on my back isn't too bad.

Ideal solution is that I don't carry much of anything. So limited days of travel/kit, and only a few days actually in Paris. I will hopefully be staying with friends so my bike is safe, and I will have access to a washing machine. I have done Interrail with a stupidly small backpack and limited clothing, so that's nothing new.

Kit choices, a not-too-large backpack, and a not-too-large saddle bag. I think if I measure correctly I could fit enough kit and clothes for a few days of cycling and actual normal clothes when hanging out. Aside from a compact camera I don't need any other 'stuff'. I don't want to change the dynamic at the front of the bike, so only lightweight additions such as some tubes or accessories I can tape under the tri bars.

In my mind although I am comfortable riding clipless, considering likely fatigue, I will probably stick to straps. Mostly in case I lose concentration, I'd like to avoid a fall at a junction or something. Also, one less pair of shoes to carry.

You guys have a thread about Restrap, and I'm wondering about my quality/cost options (of all brands) for a larger size saddle bag, or whether to dry-sack and strap something. If it's just clothing, with the bike spares on my back, then it should compress well and be a uniform shape once tied down.

So please help! Route/sleeping suggestions, kit and "don't forget" ideas, distance travelled in a day on a road bike, and so on please!

Graduation date is 17th July, so I would ideally be going this month as soon as possible*, so I'm back and recovered before that date. Provisionally, if I were returning before 10th July, I wouldn't want to be leaving later than 22nd June. Ideally I'm not away for more than 2 weeks in total, and wouldn't want to take more than 4 or 5 days to get there.

I'm looking at the options on http://london2paris.co.uk and would be quite okay with the shorter trip via Dieppe.

*I'm cycling all day every day, long hours doing all errands, and being a dick and sprinting, so as far as training is concerned, I feel as prepared as I'll ever be. However, I will plan a couple long rides between now and the leaving date to get my ass comfortable with the pain.

Oh also my wheels/rims are on their last few miles, I will probably have the 105 hubs rebuilt with Rigida DP18 rims before I go if I can afford it.

LIST:
(to be constantly updated)

Bike - Koga Miyata Runner
Swap chain
Check BB, cassette, chainrings, brake pads (replace if necessary before leaving)
Profile Century tri bars - check lightweight spares that can be attached without affecting steering. Fit second bottle cage
*Lights (trelock) & Rabbit-scarer/bell ( @LuigiDolomite )
TT bag for snacks/extras

Spares
Inner tubes x2?
Tyres (folding) x1?
Pump
Emergency puncture repair kits
Batteries gps/lights
Multi-tool, tyre levers
(what else?)

Nutrition
Hydration tabs
Bottle x2 + checking route for stops to refuel
Hydration/energy gels
Snacks
Protein bars post-ride
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/powerbar-ride-bar-box-of-18-x-55g-bars ?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/maxinutrition-promax-lean-bar-12-x-60g/ ? (cheaper on amazon tho)

Planning
Meals, and where/how to eat during journey
Route, and emergency provisions

Clothing
Weather, and emergency
Warm clothes for early morning/late evening
Extra socks

Necessaries
Toiletries
Suncream
Chamois
First aid?
Chargers (phone, gps, camera) & power adapters
Travel towel

Gloves - mitts + liners for cold morning
Glasses - sunshine & morning/evening yellow lenses
Bibs, jerseys, socks - to/from
Nettar camera

Potential routes:

bikemap.net/en/route/1214927-­l_av_p/ ( @|³|MA3K )