I created a small page linking all the Cross Canada cycling journals I could find. http://xcanada.roosmachine.com . I found reading other journals was a great way to prepare for the ride I did in 2005. plus it is good reading for the long winter months as well. There are a few journals that start in early spring, and If I recall one started in 2005 in NFLD in the spring, that would be a good indication of what you should expect.

As for eating habits, I just ate whatever and whenever I could. I went into the ride with a few extra pounds and lost over 20 in the 9 weeks of the ride. I gained it all back like i do every winter. My diet was pretty close to what I normally eat, just more of it. That is to say.. lots of crap and junk food, resturants and snacks. I'm not a role model in my eating habits, but for me, what works for me day to day in normal life works for me when I am riding.. except I eat more.

For a bike, If you live in the Toronto area, Urbane Cyclist ( http://www.ucycle.com/ ) has a good shop brand touring bike that they can build up to suit your needs. If you are else where the old standard is the Trek 520, but there are many other threads on here that touch on the subject of touring bikes. Once you got a bike, make sure you know how take care of it, and make simple and complex repairs (Fixing Flats, spokes, tweaking gearing, brakes, and replacing cables).

Best of luck! Keep us up to date!