I live midway between The Gap and Fod and have riden both many times. Two very different ride but both great. My take on it is this. Most people will enjoy the Fod whatever the weather. Most people will enjoy The Gap in better weather. I would not do The Gap solo in bad (icey) weather like this week.

From experience do not buy anything with a Shimano motor. Shimano will not sell spares for their motors so very few shops will repair then.

If you had ever seen Andy Fairweather Low live you would think differently. Massively talented man who loves performing. His fb page recently said all live dates were cancelled as he needs to be with his terminally ill wife. So what you saw was understandably not his best.

Second hand fatbikes can be had for not a lot of money these days. Some but not all fatbikes will take a 29×3.00 tyre. This would involve having another set of wheels built but no problems with clearance. You could then get a RS Bluto if you fancied suspension. Not a cheap option I know.
I did this for the Surly Wednesday I already had and it works really well.

I love those Ortleib Gravel Panniers too but am looking for a mod to stop the noise. It spoils a really good product.

It is a fact that as we get older we start to loose it. But don,t use that as an excuse to not do things. Lower your expectations and enjoy being out. I ride most weekends unless I have some other hobby going on. I have discovered bikepacking this year. I go at my own at my pace and my distance. I plan it to be flexible so if I,ve had enough I can stop. Tomorrow I will be out celebrating Global Fatbike day with 30 or so others in the wonderful Forest of Dean. Its not a race! and thats the point. It,s an experience to be enjoyed on your own or with others. I dont do Strava or anything like that. My rides are measured in fun. I am 67 and have never been fast, super skilled or any kind of athlete but it,s still good fun.

Have look in somewhere like Countrywide. Equestrian types wear that sort of thing.

I had this problem so bought a bolt on top tube bag. Then put some rivnuts in the top tube. It’s not as scary as it sounds. I bought a kit from ebay which included a selection of rivnuts and the insertion tool. Just spend plenty of time on a peice of scrap to get the correct size drill. My bag is a Restrap one. My frame is a steel Surly Wednesday and was surprisingly easy to drill.

Have a look at alpkit. They are available in different leg lenths.

Ex army goretex overtrousers easily found on ebay or google.

Precooked chicken peices flavoured with barbeque, chilli, chicken tikka etc, flavouring Topped with coleslaw is my favourite and so easy to make.

Ex army goretex overtrousers cut to any lenth you like. Theres no need to stitch the cut edge. Lycra shorts of your choice underneath. Army ones are camo, raf ones dark blue. Usualy about £20 to £25. I also have some that I keep full lenth.

Another vote for small batch.

Have a look at Stooge Moto bars.

As has been said, be aware that Shimano motors are not servicable. There does not appear to be anyone in the country who will touch them. This is because Shimano will not supply spares.
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I recently bought some sqlabs innerbar ends. One of the best biking things I have bought. These are on 800mm tumbleweed bars. Expensive but well worth it.

I don’t live in the Wye Valley but it is my nearest riding and has been for many years. I can’t add much to what has already been said. It is a great place to live. I was brought up in Bristol and moved here 35 years ago. I prefer Monmouth to Chepstow as it has a more town atmosphere to it. If you are going to have a snoop around the area it might be worth having a look at Abergavenny. It’s a bit further on but has everything and a lovely town. Also you are in real Wales.

+1 for Galibier. I have bibs for winter and shorts for summer. Galibier are really good quality and n ot silly money. I even wear them without baggies when its hot.

I have the same. I tried a blader in the frame bag but couldnt get on with it. Now I put a bottle in the bag and if a longer trip one under the down tube to replenish the one in the bag. Have you heard of rivnuts? They are like pop rivets but with an internal thread so you use them like a bottle boss. I have juet fitted some to my top tube to hold a small bag.

I,ve been using Ortleib gravel panniers. Not very big so the bike handles ok. Top quality but not cheap. I cant see me using any thing else. I put heavy stuff in a full frame bag courtesy ‘ Beerbabe.’

I have just bought some Tumbleweed Persuader bars. 30 degrees sweep and 800 wide. Only riden twice but feel good. I may need a longer stem as the sweep brings the grips back. Not cheap at £125 and difficult to get. Mine came from Wizard Works. Previous to these I tried Richey Koyote which I like but very little rise and Stooge Moto bars which I like although I wanted a bit more sweep.

Recent events prove me to be right.

I live near that road and regularly drive it and have to say that cycling on a dual carriageway is asking for trouble. An accident waiting to happen. It is very sad though.

honorablegeorge, thats my point.

He wont do shimano.

Its the motor you need to worry about. Everything else can be sorted. I have a Merida 900, full spec xt and fox factory. Its a great bike, I love it. But,….. I have already had a new motor under warranty at just under 2000 miles. The next one I will have to pay for myself. You not find anyone who will look at a shimano motor because they will not supply parts. Any problems and its a new motor.

Toots and the Maytels. No brass section. Toots and the band obviously didnt want to be there. Walked out with others. Worst gig ever. Best gig ever Lindisfarne—— Wow

Following this with interest.

I have always had slx and been happy with them. My ebike has xt and not noticably any better.

Re gearing. I have 11-46 sunrace cassette with 30 tooth chainring but also a 26 tooth chainring that I can manually move to. Effectively 2x without the mech and shifter. Works for me.

Vaude Moab again. Coupled with trousers (pants). Dry warm feet no need for sealskins.

How about this then. Channel Events run three waymarked cross country challenge events. No competition but time are published. 3 areas of the south west, Mendips, Exmoor and Quantocks. Very well run and lovely people as well. Entries for 2022 are open.

I bought an MSR Elixir2 this summer. I’ve use it 4 times and am well pleased. It will be my introduction to bikepacking. There are lighter and cheaper tents out there but many are not really big enough for a 6footer.

Thanks everyone.

Just back from FOD, strangely quiete today.

FWIW. I had a ti Fireline and was very underwelmed. Sold it and built up a Stooge. Very different but much more fun.

It depends what you are doing but for me it is clamps. You cant beat time spent with Bessey.

Lands End. Not cheap but good. I buy when they have a sale.

The Moto is a great bar. I have them on my ebike and fatbike. Not as high or heavy as the junker. I would think the junker is too high for most bikes other than Stooge. -should never have sold it!

Best bag I have had.