emergency trip to Dakar

[zerocool]

A family emergency has meant a member of my family is considering borrowing my GS and riding through Spain and onto Dakar to support another family member who is basically stranded there with their boat.

My question is what issues am I going to have in supporting him?

Crossing borders with a V5 in my name for him to cross?

Crossing borders period?

documents that I need to arrange in advance?

This will be a no frills travel journey down?

 

[Ash]

what a nightmare
best of luck sorting it all.

 

[richie]

Step back and think, would not it be easier to fly????

No joke intended.

 

[Loiq]

dakar is farking miles away... flying seems simpler and money solves all sorts of problems....

can't see how a bike is gonna help a boat, but a strategic AMEX can work wonders....



problems have a life cycle of theior own which means the problem will run out of steams sooner or later, then is a time to act...

 

[brassmonkey001]

Sounds like possibly the most inefficient way to support your stranded family member, and a jolly for the rescuer.
If he really has to be there in person then surely flying would be easier, quicker and cheaper?
Otherwise, can't sending funds solve the problem?

 

[Steptoe]

It might help - But it depends on what the dakar customs man prefers, a bike or a boat.

It could turn into the equivilent of sending someone in to put a fire out with a can of petrol.

 

[zerocool]

Agreed, I dont see it being the most efficient way but to cut a long story short the transport method is quite important.

Actually the reason I asked the question is so I can have hard evidence to support this idea not going ahead.

 

[MrIFan]

Agreed, I dont see it being the most efficient way but to cut a long story short the transport method is quite important.

Actually the reason I asked the question is so I can have hard evidence to support this idea not going ahead.

The only viable way to Dakar overland is via Western Sahara and Mauritania. This is what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has to say about travel in Mauritania " We advise against all travel to the eastern and northern provinces of Mauritania - Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, and Hodh el Chargui - due to the continuing high threat from terrorism throughout the country. This includes all areas bordering Mali, Western Sahara and Southern Algeria."

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and...y-country/middle-east-north-africa/mauritania

Many people have travelled safely in the region since this level of advice started but, if someone else was taking my bike I would want the full value as a deposit before it left my hands!

 

[Loiq]

simpler just sell him the bike, problems solved.

 

[zerocool]

im not sure I can sell him the bike as the paperwork wont be back in time.

Thanks to MrIFan, this is the sort of info I was looking for, that has been very helpful.