[blacksmith_tb]

One advantage to using the square food-service buckets as panniers is that you can also use them as stools to sit on when they're off the bike, try that with your fancy Ortliebs! They are kind of bulky though, I have generally preferred to stick with the coated fabric commercial panniers (Arkel these days, though I have a couple pairs of beat-up Ortliebs which I have patched up with Sugru).

[uoaei]

My anatomy evidently favors Type-II (fast-twitch) muscle fibers for cycling, so large cross-sections kill me in general. I can't spin through the kilometers in low gears like some can. So aerodynamics is more of a concern for me (and others with similar anatomy). The jugs in TFA are lower profile than kitty litter buckets or other square things. However, tailwinds could make up for the drag on good days!

[ska]

If you are really loading up a bit, cross-section is pretty much impossible to avoid. The trick is to get comfortable with going a snails pace into a headwind, and enjoy the free ride with a tailwind...

[jmspring]

Loaded touring really is about taking in the sights around you. You aren't moving fast.

One thing I would add, if carrying any substantial load, make ure you understand how your bike handles it. Your normal road bike isn't necessarily built to carry the rider plus extra weight/etc around the wheels.

[uoaei]

My favorite parts of touring are the descents. Heavy bike go zoom. I take in the sights I just take in more of them in less time. Of course stopping when it makes sense.

[ska]

Agreed. Part of it is geometry too - especially if you have front bags.