Canada to Mexico - USA touring advise needed

As you saw from the map and brief description on my Orlowski thread I've done the exact route (plus some extra ;) ) I'll try to answer some of your questions but tbh could talk for hours about every aspect of the trip.

Firstly Canada to Mexico is indeed an epic route and I wouldn't say it's logistically any more difficult than Portland to San Diego would be (possibly even easier)… I flew to Vancouver from London (A. I had friends there, B. It was cheaper, C. Epic) (check out http://canadianaffair.com for cheap fares - I paid £160 plus £35 for the bike).

If you're arriving in America by plane or boat you need to have an ESTA which cost $15 and must be done in advance, however if you arrive at a land border (i.e. from Canada) you just fill out the forms upon arrival and pay $6 (must be in cash) for your 90 day tourist visa. All you have to do is convince the border agent that you plan to leave the country (much easier if you have already booked your return flight i.e. San Diego to London, but not impossible if you haven't, like me)

Tijuana and San Diego sit up against each other with the USA-Mexico border in-between. You can walk (or cycle, but head for the walking entrance rather than queuing with the cars, it's way quicker) into Mexico without any kind of visa (if you want to stay longer than seven days then you need a tourist visa, obtained from the consulate in Tijuana or Ensenada, which is valid for six months. That said I was never asked for my passport or visa in two months of cycling around Mexico.) So long as your 90 day American visa hasn't expired you can re-enter America, though this will take a lot longer than entering Mexico. Mexico don't enforce their border (you just walk through a gate) but America (obv) take it pretty seriously. If you do plan to go to Mexico (further than just visiting Tijuana) let me know and I'll give you some more tips.

You're bike looks pretty perfect for that kind of trip. It looks more than capable of handling a few trails whilst still being fine on the road (which is where you'll be spending the vast majority of your time). I'd much rather have a road-orientated bike than an MTB for a trip that'll be 90%+ on the road….but I did it on a track bike and still had a blast so whatever you'll have fun riding really. For me in was no stress taking my bike there and back. I took it on both flights with me (just in a cardboard bike-box) for a small surcharge.

4) Any advice whatsoever regarding camping / hostels / equipment / fighting off Bears
It's much harder to wild camp in America than in Europe, everywhere is fenced off and people are much less forgiving about trespassing. There are state-parks all along the cost which usually have camping/showering facilities though. There's less up north (Washington State) and they charge more but in Cali they're pretty regular and give a discount if you've arrived by bike. It's usually less than $10 ($5 in Cali). Depending on your ethics/financial necessity you can often get away without paying (more details on request). I would chose State Parks over KOA (Kampgrounds of America) as they're cheaper and usually super nice locations (hence why they're state parks). I didn't stay in any (or even see many) hostels but there's motels a-plenty which are usually under $40 per night if you feel the need for a night of luxury. Most big cities will have a city mission where you can stay for free but you have to queue for a few hours and share a dorm with the down and outs who: A. don't make for the best roommates and B. probably need it more than you.

As for fighting off bears… you're more likely (don't read as unlikely) to encounter Mountain Lions and much more troublesome Racoons (little fuckers!) but basically if you don't keep your food in your tent and you're unlikely to be disturbed by anything. Campgrounds will have bear-proof lockers to keep your food in. I had bears, lions and racoons all coming to visit me in the nights and only the racoons caused me any bother as they come in groups and work together to distract you while others nick your chilli con carne and Haribo! Be warned! ha

Anything else you wanna know, just ask