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@The_Seldom_Killer
There's not really a preferred way to carry stuff, I've even seen people on a 400k loaded down with hefty backpacks. I would advise against this and unless you are an active courier, I would advise against a messenger bag. They put a lot of strain on your back, shoulders, neck and arms for a very long time and this can lead to a lot of discomfort and even injury. However, that said, the first and foremost consideration is that you use something that is comfortable to you, not just for carrying but also for general accessing and so on.
The general preferences almost in order of popularity are saddlebags, handlebar bags, racktop bags, pannier bags.
For 200k or 300k, when I'm carrying less kit, I favour a saddle tool bag (has a light attachment loop and the same tool bag that I use for all my bikes). On the front I have a handle bar bag from Decathlon (Don't laugh, it is pretty good when in use and I've had it for about seven years). All the tools are kept in the tool bag (get smaller tools or a bigger bag if yours don't fit). All the other stuff (phone, wallet, waterproofs) that I may want to access quickly get loaded in that. I have one waterbottle in a cage and a pump attached to the seat tube (Topeak Roadmorph G).
On longer rides when I expect to be riding through the night and therefore less options to pick up food and water I will move the pump and toolbag into a larger saddle bag (a Carradice because they are lovely) and install another water bottle. The saddle bag can also carry extra layers, more food and water etc.
On the subject of water. This is tricky and at the end of the day you should always work out your own needs. I'm a fairly sweaty and thirsty individual and have to drink accordingly. I'm always careful to hydrate well before that start of a ride so I can get through the first section without having to carry too much. A 750ml bottle will easily see me through 75k. The means I can carry less, make better time and create a nice comfortable buffer zone. After that I usually put away at least one bottle for every 50k, often more in warmer weather. I'll even put away a bottle of Powerade on most rides (crap for power, great for stacking up electrolytes which you will have depleted). Rather than carry it all around myself I rely on an assortment of services to get hold of more. I do a fair amount of route scouting (use google maps) so I know where the places are that I can get more and what my water levels need to be to trigger a top up. It's all done on guesstimation but it serves me pretty well. At the end of the day I know how far I can push myself with nothing and what it will do to me.