Getting ready for the tour

I've got just over a month before I depart for Australia and start on the six-week cycling tour I am doing as a team member of the Otesha Project.  I'll be couch-surfing with friends in Calgary before heading home to Edmonton for the holidays and then off to Melbourne on January 11.  

Right now, I'm starting to think about the gear I'll need and how to get all of it across the Pacific.  Here's my gear list for the tour and where I'm at so far - I would love any advice seasoned cyclists have on how to be as light (and sustainable!) as possible on my bike.

Cheers,

Candice

PS> In the meantime, I'm reading through "Death by a Thousand Cuts: Impacts of In Situ Oil Development on Alberta's Boreal Forest".  A publication from the Pembina Institute discussing the mining and steam assisted gravity drainage projects in Northern Alberta and their impacts on the land area.  

Bike stuff:

- A bike - hmmm... pick one out here and fly it over or buy one there?  Any suggestions?

- Bike tools: repair kit and tools, tire pump, spare tire - seems to suggest disaster is imminent!

- Panniers and rack - for six weeks I am going to be supporting myself with 50 L of space!

- Crash helmet - again, for potential disasters

- Lights, bells and locks

I think most of this stuff I will get over in Melbourne before we leave, except for the panniers which I will try and fill here with the rest of my gear. 

Road stuff:

- Water holders - as you all know I'm going from -40°C to +40°C and will need a lot of H2O

- First aid kit - continuing with the potential disaster theme

- Tent - thanks to Margs & Phil, Rach and Mark and my lab group at the U of C (Josie) I'll be       outfitted with a mobile home

- Sleeping bag and mat - taken care of (thanks Jess!)

- Sunscreen - aka SPF 1000 for the pale Canadian

Clothes & other stuff:

- Shirts, shorts and shoes

- Waterproof clothing

- Kitchen stuff - fork, knife, spoon, mug and reusable food containers