John Muir put it this way: "Who has not felt the urge to throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence?" Sometimes that's what it takes--stop thinking about it and go. Books can't prepare you for how you deal with downtime, or your needs for water and food, which are different than mine. I would never go on a trip with someone else's gear--that's highly personal and tailored to my experiences.
On desert road travel, carry a cardboard sign that reads "Need H2O." You'll probably never need it. There are many kind motorists (likely cyclists themselves) who will pull over and see if you need anything, and offer you a fresh piece of fruit and some conversation, maybe invite you home. And there goes your downtime.