1. I'd start the tour with 2 cannisters, and an alcohol or Esbit stove as backup, just in case I could not source new cannisters conveniently. Any large sporting goods store should stock them. Unless the rules have changed, cannisters could be shipped via USPS with special labeling. You might ask you local postmaster to reseach the rules on this, and let us know the results.

2. Southwest is reasonably tolerant of bicycles if you can squeeze it into the required box size. Shipment by bus is relatively inexpensive and they will hold it for you for a few days. Fedex to a lbs for reassembly is the most convenient and costly.

3. No experience.