What is self-contained bicycle touring?
 

Some of us are definitely too full of our selves, but that isn't what we're referring to when we say, "self-contained". Self-contained touring is a style of bicycle touring where one carries all of his/her provisions for food preparation, shelter, clothing, etc., in bags or panniers affixed to the bike using light-weight racks. This allows for maximum flexibility when touring on longer trips. Self-contained touring lowers the overall cost of touring, while increasing the potential enjoyment and experience level. It also increases the physical requirement with the added weight and wind resistance of the loaded panniers.

I am looking for the best shortest explanation of what a FLBT

Least words to explain a FLBT so other people that don’t know what a FLBT is

i.e. What is a Fully Loaded Bike Tour ?

Its when a person will cycle on a bike and carry with him/her all the necessities needed to survive.

This is for a good charitable cause
George12345

Hmm, I like your explaination just fine. How about; a multi-day/week bicycle tour where no supporting vehicle is required or utilized? Or something along those lines...

FLBT is one where you're carrying the kitchen sink, expresso maker, cast iron frying pan, milk crate or guitar. It's all good.

very good to many words

george have you a reason for asking this question, the people that dont cycle would have no idea one way or the other as to what FLBT means they all think we are crazy anyway .

Hi anto its just to let people no about a we charity cycle that I am going to do.

ah right your best bet would be local radio station or newspaper, if you make the newspaper make sure you have your bike fully loaded that will give the locals some idea.

does shopping to replenish supplies during a trip still count as a FLBT? what if you eat at fast food/ restaurants instead of carrying food/ ways to cook it?

of course you can eat at KFC, but there are no fast food shops in the desert

ah come on anto give it your best shot

I tell friends/coworkers "I go camping, and I carry everything on my bike."

They seem to grasp it easier if they think that the cycling is secondary to the camping.

if you're not FL you're not BTing.

We will be all over the board on this one-- To me camping is secondary to cycling. It is what I see and experience during the day that is the most important.

I carry camping gear so that I have the flexibility to vary a route, let serendipity happen, and know that I can stop (by choice or necessity)just about anywhere and have a adequate place to sleep and the means to prepare a meal.

Are you suggesting that we can get along without those things?

this is good, I go camping, and carry everything on my bike, nice one Spatulor we will make it interesting 7 out of 10 for this one

I like where you are coming from, but for me they are both equal in that they are both part of the experience. The ride and the camp are for me the experience, but I don't camp as a rule in caravan parks, preferring what we call bush camps or camping wild or camping at campsites on the Munda Biddi or Bibbulmun Track for example.

Andrew

Unsupported

Unsupported by any form of SAG vehicle but whether you carry a tent or cooking equipment is irrelevant. In fact the 'unsupported' tag can apply to any group on bicycles so butlers/maidservants/sherpas are allowed provided they all travel by bicycle.

Self supported bicycle tour!

George, I suppose it can be boiled down to "bicycle camping". We all know it's more complicated than that, which leads me to comment that if you're trying to organize a charity overnighter you may find a larger pool of contributers if it's supported.

On two recent charity rides I rode there were no other dedicated touring frames that I saw and only a handfull of bikes equipped with a rack or even a wicker basket on the handlebars.

Brad

How long will the ride be, and what sort of terrain ? I'd call it a self supported bike tour, and have a needs list ready when people ask for more information . That will give you the opportunity to explain further . Anto's got the right idea . The media like to get on board for these events .

You will know FLBT (or just BT) when you see it.

I agree. A self supported tour could be anything from a fully loaded bike with panniers on front and rear with camping equipment and food, to credit card touring where you carry nothing other then basic essentials and a change of clothes, a jacket, some snacks, while you eat at restaurants and live in motels.

Its only a small two day 25 miles tour to a place called Tullymore forest park, a small town called Newcastle Co Down in Northern Ireland, camp for the night and 25miles back next day, the charity is for the local Hospice.
(self supported bike tour) (Bicycle camping) if the ordinary Joe soap dosn't know what this is then Im wasting my time, I think Anto did a tour to Tullymore forest park one time, anyway Thank you for all the answers really appreciated, george.
if they saw (BT) they would think it was (British Telecom)

Not sure I understand what question you are asking....

But are you trying to get people to go for a 25 mile out and back overnight bike camping trip, for charity? What services do you provide to entice participants? I would think anyone who actually has the equipment to do a fully loaded/self-supported/camping bike tour (whatever you want to call it) would not be very interested in going only 25 miles a day, and the loaded bike touring crowd seems to pride themselves on both their self-sufficiency and their frugality. I'm not understanding your target market, or how you are getting people to do the ride.

I don't think you would make any money on that in the USA, you would get like zero participants. If it works in the UK, that would be interesting. Do you know of any events like that?

travel with no dependencies