What are some basics i need to know about Traveling by backpacking?

What are good resources that could tell me what i need or what i should be looking into.

be careful,meet new friends and travel together,don't forget the postcards for mum and dad.DO NOT HIRE A MOTORBIKE<NO MATTER HOW GOOD YOU ARE have a great experience

im about to do it myself so here some stuff that i have found helpful.
resource wise lonely planets on a showstring range is fantastic it tells you the cheapest ways to do thing in your location where to go and where not to bother and hostels and addresses in the area.
its def a good idea if you are a student or are under 26 to get a ISIC card or IYIC card can get them from STA travel not sure where else. they get you an amazing amount of discounts world wide. I already got five percent off my backpack and gear with it before leaving the country,
Trains are generally better than busses in europe and are a pretty cheap option but make sure to also cheack out the budget airlines. a good web sight to find cheap flights is whichbudget.com it compares all the budget airlines in europe.

it all depends on where you are going though as to what resources are good for you? if its Europe let me know and ill help out, Ive been planning mine for years!

also if you are going to the uk get your working visa early and organise your bank account before you go.

another ewssential purchase i recieved as a pressie and its the most valuable thing ill take with me is a travel journal. in here you not only write important things down so you remember what happened when you return home but you also record your air ticket numbers incase lost passport number and photocopy of, allergies and medical history bank card details to incase lost, as well as having a list of all the embasies and visa requirements for every country in the world.

and then when you go make sure you take multivitamins you would be amazed how easily you get sick travelling, and basic first aid ie bandaids antiseptic panadol and cold and flus. comfy shoes are a must even if you dont normally wear them. dont forget your nail clippers- sounds stupid but u'll be surprised how much youll want them later and you dont want to be forking out cash for things like that! and take a photo of family and friends! you will at some point get homesick- also their emails and phone numbers (so easy to forget)

and then on the backpack side of things less is more. its so hard to pakc lightly but that thing is so ridiculously heavy you regret it later. and shop around the best and most expensive may not be the best fit for you. oh and travel insurance you will hate paying money for it now but if you need it and dont have it you be up shit creek- get it its worth it!

well ive gone on far long enough!!! hope it helps- trust me im totally overwhelmed myself and i leave in 12 days!