i think zinn is the standard. but these days you're probably better looking for a video on youtube.
edit: zinn - https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193771537X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
Books I’ve read about backpacking, like this one, usually have estimates for walking speed, caloric intake, and some other hiking-related estimates for average people. Maybe see if one of them has a decent bibliography?
I bought a copy of Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance specifically because it includes a sensible list of regular maintenance tasks. It has several lists, like “before every ride,” “after every ride (or three),” “every 1000 miles,” “every 20,000 miles,” and helpful hints about how to know specifically when you need to do certain things, regardless of how many rides or miles you do.
Buy this book - Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. it's under $20 on Amazon. Couple of points:
Amazingly comprehensive. Includes old stuff and new stuff.
A book is great for having when actually wrenching. Way better than trying to scroll on your phone with greasy hands.
All tasks are broken into three levels of difficulty. The first level is for people like you, and you'll be pleasantly surprised how much that covers. Has tool recommendations for each level.
Most tools don't need to be bike specific. A set of Allen keys, needlenose pliers, and an adjustable wrench will get you further than you think.
Good luck!
Do bookstores count?
I keep these quick reference cards with a hank of 550 in my bag..
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Knot-Outdoor-Knots-John-Sherry/dp/0922273227
1) US Army Survival Manual (FM 21-76) : Great to keep in a Go bag if you have to hoof it. Rather comprehensive survival guide for all climates, goes over edible/poisonous flora, fauna, trap and shelter building, etc etc. It's an excellent resource, highly recommend.
2) Pro-Knot reference cards : the only other reading material I have in my go-bag is a collection of knot-making flashcards. Sold on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0922273227/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The cards are very small-profile and waterproof. If you ever have to tie a knot and you don't know your knots, it will be a life saver.
I'm amazed and disappointed at the same time. No mentions of the definitive book set... Zinn: Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/193771537X and Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Guide to Mountain Bike Repair https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937715477
Every home mech sounds have at least one of these two. Yes there is also a lot of repeated information obviously, bit they are fantastic references. Supplement these with the park tool yt vids, you can do basically anything
To add to what others have said, suppose you like physical reading material?
Zinn’s Art of Road Bike Maintenance is the bike repair bible.
You can do it without expensive gear. Shower curtain for tarp, fleece blanket for sleeping bag, tin can hobo stove, a Mora knife and a firestarter. I’ve done it and taught many others. One of my students, a young American woman, traversed 100 miles of the Taurus Mountains in Turkey with 50 bucks worth of gear, got most of it from local market. One of my books explains how to survive with minimal gear anyplace in the world, in detail:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8O6DYS/ref=dbs_a_def_awm_bibl_vppi_i1
I’m quite into tying knots just as a hobby... Guess it’s because I’m getting old and turning into my dad. I find it quite relaxing though
Anyways, try to get two different colours so you can see the workings of the knot. Something to fix too as well, like a big karabiner. A thin bit of cord might be handy too depending on what you need to learn (some knots need you to tie a thick rope to a thin rope for example). You can by practice kits like this although I prefer a thicker rope to practice with. I got my stuff from a sailing store as you can buy it by the metre rather than needing to pay for a whole length.
Wanting to get out and do an overnight is an awesome goal to start, don't sell it short! You can think of backpacking it as overnight hiking. You basically just need to stuff to confidently hike and then the stuff to sleep and feed yourself.
I'd recommend the Backpacker's Field Manual as a reference. It has tons of information -- more than you need now -- in one place so you don't have to hunt all over the god-forsaken internet for information.
Basically, you need the 10 essentials mentioned elsewhere in this post, something to sleep in and on, and something to carry it all.
I really like this kit from REI but it's only sleep+shelter. For what it is, the price is good and the gear is solid. You'd still need water purification, a stove, and a backpack. All in all, you can expect to spend ~$600.
Finally, the recommendation to try gear is not to buy second-hand stuff but to try different things before you commit your money to a kit that you hate.
I'm a new cyclist, and this is on my wishlist :) Highly recommended from the folks here and on r/bicycling
If he likes working on his own bike this could be a cool gift, they also have a MTB version, but it’s fun to know everything about how something works even if he doesn’t actually do any work. I will say it’s hard to receive gifts geared toward cycling, most of the time the person has everything they want, especially things that are only a few bucks.
Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/193771537X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_M.l2FbA5JHJAE
I originally got one as a present when I was in Boy Scouts; I've always carried it with me on campouts since then.
I got one of these floating around in my camping stuff https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Knot-Outdoor-Knots-John-Sherry/dp/0922273227/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=knots&qid=1596032247&sr=8-6
Tools For Survival, by Rawles as well
https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Survival-What-Survive-Youre/dp/0452298121
giant wallet tease, but very interesting
This could be a good start for you: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400053099/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. As far as the Pacific Crest Trail, it runs along the West Coast from Mexico to Canada. I've hiked sections of it. I see you've decided to change your plans, but if you ever decide to hike the PCT, I highly recommend it! (with lots of preparation beforehand, of course)
I custom build my touring bike with this book. And of course Shelton Brown.
Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance: The World's Best-Selling Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/193771537X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Tsl8AbQ1CPQ4M
Just get one of these and start practicing, it's under $6
I like these wallet-sized plastic cards that come bound together, it's a great field reference and doesn't take up much space/pack weight:
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Knot-Outdoor-Knots-John-Sherry/dp/0922273227
Pro-Knot cards - inexpensive and useful
Under $5 each and free shipping with Prime
I'm new to bike maintenance, but have you tried to tune the derailer again? I replaced the cable on my Scott and fully retuned the rear derailer, otherwise it would take 2 clicks to drop a gear, 1 to go up, and wouldn't travel into the highest or lowest gears. There's a high gear tuning screw and a low gear tuning screw that need to be fiddled with, plus cable tension (can be adjusted at both shifter and on derailer). Both adjusting screws should be adjusted with no cable tension (i.e. loosen the screw holding the bare cable end). I followed the basic directions in this reference manual: https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/193771537X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470409806&sr=8-1&keywords=bike+repair+manual but there are tons of youtube videos out there. If a fresh tune doesn't fix it, you might have a worn/stretched cable/housing (visual check this first I guess).
I have a knot guide in my home prep kit so others can have a resource and for a reminder for me if I can't recall a certain knot. Nice and hard plastic and connected as a fan basically. Highly recommend. PROKNOT Outdoor Knots https://www.amazon.com/dp/0922273227/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_0bTMwb8RZA285
The go to is Shotgunning: The art and Science. If he has been shooting for a while he probably has read it, but if he doesn't have a copy it is always fun to go back to.
http://www.amazon.com/Shotgunning-The-Science-Bob-Brister/dp/1602393273
What we usually do for new scouts is to start by giving them their own 3ft long practice rope. The rope will be freshly cut, so their first lesson is fusing and whipping the ends. This is also one of the first knot requirements. Once they have their own personal ropes they can start to learn the knots. It also gives them something that they need to be responsible for not losing or abusing.
You may also want to check out Knot Cards. These are weatherproof plastic credit card size cards that boys can leave in their packs. The cards are under $5 and make a good thing to give out for a prize or to include in the cost of a knot focused event.
Stock dimensions have nothing to do with the cost of the gun. You can put a custom stock on an 870 Express if you want. And just because a gun is expensive, it doesn't necessarily come with a custom stock. More people buy Krieghoffs and Perazzis "off the shelf" than not.
Also, as long as you're talking a minimum of, say, 18", barrel length plays no role in pattern size. That's determined solely by shot hardness (which is why steel patterns more tightly than lead) and choke. I highly recommend this book if you believe otherwise. It's the gold standard reference for that type of information.