Dakar Off-Road tour with Si Pavey in France & Spain - Oct 2006

[Kylie M]

Hi everyone!

I've moved to Wales and am now working for Si Pavey... all the Aussie's together! Anyway, Si has organised a fantastic off-road tour... call 08000 131 282 to book.

BMW DAKAR OFF-ROAD RIDE THROUGH SPAIN AND FRANCE

After the outstanding success of the BMW Off-Road Skills courses, we have extended the current programme to give customers who have completed at least the Level One course a unique opportunity to join an off-road tour in Spain and France with a special Dakar flavour.

The Dakar influence includes:
1. The route for this tour has been established by David Castera, who has set the route of the famous Dakar Rally for the past two years. David has set a special route for this tour and gained access to trails that are normally inaccessible to riders.
2. The organisation of this tour has been put together by Chris Evans who is the UK Dakar coordinator and has worked on the Dakar for 10 years. He has also run off-road tours in France for the past 17 years.
3. To add to this Dakar-influenced off-road tour, BMW Motorrad UK’s own four-times Dakar finisher, Simon Pavey will take part on the tour.

This brilliant five-day off-road tour in Spain and France this October is available to 16 customers and the accommodation will be primarily in the luxury of Paradors.

Dates:
18 October 2006 from Plymouth and returning 24 October 2006.

No. of participants:
16 minimum. Chris Evans and Simon Pavey will be present on the tour.


OUTLINE OF THE EXPERIENCE

Day 1> Wednesday 18 October
Customers will meet Simon Pavey at the ferry terminal for the overnight ferry from Plymouth, which departs at 12:30. Shared cabin accommodation is included.

Day 2> Thursday 19 October
The overnight ferry arrives in Santander at 10:30. Participants will then enjoy a day of riding twisty roads south of Santander and then stay in a Parador in a beautiful small Spanish village.

Day 3> Friday 20 October
Today it’s time to enjoy the start of the off-road adventure. After only 40 kilometres of autoroute, participants will then ride off road in the Bardenas desert and then enjoy small roads with spectacular views. Accommodation will be in another Parador – Sos del Rey.

Day 4> Saturday 21 October
Leave Spain behind and arrive in the beauty of France, crossing the frontier on tracks that climb up to the ski station of Iraty, which will include a mixture of road and off-road riding. Tonight’s accommodation will be in the hotel of St Palais in the Pays Basque with incredibly stunning views over the region.

Day 5> Sunday 22 October
From St Palais, the group will ride towards the French coast passing through the most beautiful villages of the Pay Basque, including Aihnoa and Espelette then back into Spain along the coastline and stay in the fishing village of Mundaka.

Day 6> Monday 23 October
Today the group will ride along the winding coastal roads of Spain and then arrive at Santander ready for overnight ferry to Plymouth, which departs at 16:30. Once again, it will be shared cabin accommodation.

Day 7> Tuesday 24 October
Ferry arrives at Plymouth at 10:30 ready for the ride home.


Price for tour: £850 per person. Solo riders only on a BMW GS style motorcycle or similar. All bikes must be fitted with semi off-road tyres, please call for specific type suited for your motorcycle.

Tour includes: return ferry fare with shared twin-berth cabin accommodation: half-board accommodation at the Paradors in France and Spain; back up vehicle, a route planned by David Castera, organisation by experienced off-road tour guide Chris Evans, the participation of six-times Dakar competitor Simon Pavey, the tour programme as described and VAT.

Not included: petrol, lunches and drinks, autoroute tolls, local entertainment, any admissions or travel insurance.

 

[JJ1]

Dakar Off Road Tour

I've booked on this, out of the 16+ riders has anyone else booked from this forum?

Whats the ferry to Santander like? and how much money do you reckon is required to cover the very interestingly termed 'local entertainment'????

 

[(RIP) Boxertools]

I've booked on this, out of the 16+ riders has anyone else booked from this forum?

Whats the ferry to Santander like? and how much money do you reckon is required to cover the very interestingly termed 'local entertainment'????

Not booked, but I went on the Santander ferry on Sept 3rd/4th.
It was not pleasant.
I am not a good sailor at any time, but the day before we travelled, we were warned that it would be rough.
When we had boarded, at 4.30, we went to find our cabin and were greeted by the smell of puke in the corridor. That was not a good sign. (I have since been told that if the pool is empty, you know it's going to be rough).
My travelling companion said that we should have a hearty meal, which is what we did and then we planed to go to the cinema at 6.30. We had been underway for only an hour or so, and people were already walking down the isles like they were drunk.
I felt a bit rough and went to lie down for half an hour before the film.
I got out of bed at 9am the following morning, feeling not too bad. But the night was not good. I wasn't sick, but not far off. One of my neighbours was being sick & i put ear plugs in so as not to hear it.
We came home via the channel tunnel

Have a good trip, it sounds like a great tour.

Mike.

 

[JJ1]

Santander Ferry

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the very graphic info, if its that bad I'll also be tempted to come back via the channel tunnel.
:helmet
JJ

 

[(RIP) Boxertools]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the very graphic info, if its that bad I'll also be tempted to come back via the channel tunnel.
:helmet
JJ

An absolute pleasure

Mike

 

[Desert Rat]

I've Booked

Hi JJ1. I've booked on this. Cant wait for the ferry crossing

 

[Gazzr]

I'm also not a good traveller when it comes to boats and it brings back bad childhood memories of trips from Harwich - Holland which were not very nice experiences. I went on the the Plymouth - Santander ferry last april and thought it was great. Cabins were fine, small but very clean. Had a perfect nights sleep. Boat was better than any cross channel ferry and seemed quite new. Had no problems at all. Food was a bit expensive but didnt want to eat too much in case it came up again!

Just make sure you have some sickness tabs before you sail

Anyway sounds like a great trip and a very decent price.

have fun.
Gazzr

 

[BAKERMAN]

At the age of 12 went to Paris with a family, on the ferry it was as much as you could eat for 25p, I have never eaten Potato Salad since or will I ever again.

 

[JJ1]

Dakar Off Road Tour

Hi Ratty,

Look forward to seeing you there , have you taken your bike to spain on this type of tour before , experianced the paradors :dance , or ridden with Si Pavey / Chris Evans ?