Spectating the Dakar

[Rampant Stallion]

Whoooops, sorry, should've read the rest of your post

 

[Tim Cullis]

Given the dates of 13-15 Jan I was going to say it couldn't be done in the time, but it possibly could--there's roads/tracks across from Kiffa. You'd miss the end of the Dakar Rally, of course. You'd be safest on knobblies and would then need to calculate your tyre usage.

Tim

 

[Bert]

Route different to Tim' s above

is Morocco through to Nouadhibou, Western Sahara to Nouakchott, east to Aleg, Kiffa, Ayoun El Atrous, Nema, south to Segou, Bla, San, Mopti, Douentza , by canoe (apparently!0 accross the Niger to Tombouctou.
I still haven't been able to locate the Lat. & Long of Essakane but I guess the number of 4X4's is likely to leave a healthy trail.
I am given to understand that it is said to be near (east of ) lake Faguibine and N-NW of Tombouctou anything between 50 and 75 kms ...in sand... lots of it!
p.s The Mauritanian Embassy told me today that the tarmac road between Nouadhibou and Nouakchott is open. So prob. go down one way and back the other

TYRES
Tim is correct
Am fitting Pirelli MT21's new in south of France and carrying a set too.

 

[Tim Cullis]

The map I posted above is a 'quick and dirty' approximation of the Dakar Rally route. As Bert says, you would come south on the coastal route from Tan Tan to Nouakchott.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

The attached Mapsource file is as close as I can currently get to the overnight Rally bivouac points--which are mainly located at airports. If you have the latest version of Mapsource plus Google Earth you can use this to zoom in using satellite photos.

Tim

 

[sniper]

Maybe next time...

Unfortunately we're not going to make it this time. I hope you all have a good time and a safe trip. Looking forward to some reports (and pics!) on your return!

 

[Bert]

What a shame

Unfortunately we're not going to make it this time. I hope you all have a good time and a safe trip. Looking forward to some reports (and pics!) on your return!

Arrrggghhhh, darn- hoisted by his own petard...
Another 'man down'; how many now left Tim?

 

[Tim Cullis]

Looks like six, maybe seven bikes.

Tim

 

[Bert]

Looks like six, maybe seven bikes.

Tim

It looks like your group is slowly coming to the 'right' size!!
Are you ready to go?

 

[DaveGSCymro]

Wish I could get time off work to join you.......never mind, maybe next year. Have a good trip.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Chase to Dakar

Three weeks until most of us leave with a little obstruction called Christmas in the way.

Activmoto and Sid Horman are riding down through France. I'm taking the Bilbao ferry on 27 Dec along with Sugarcube, Jockster, Simondippenhall and rampant stallion. We are all planning to attend the BMW party in Lisbon, then cross into Morocco and points south.

It's gone quiet on here as Sugarcube has set up a project planning forum for detailed chats.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

Eurosport 10pm 13 December

Eurosport tonight: Novice teams for all over Europe will compete for one of the five places on offer at the 2006 Dakar in Lisbon. Competitors will undergo intensive training and a tough selection process in Morocco.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

Given the short daylight hours and the cold weather in central Spain, those of us landing in Bilbao on the morning of 29 December were concerned whether we would make Lisbon (560 miles) in time for the BMW party that evening. Then I read this:-

Two BMW biking enthusiasts are gearing up for a ride to remember later this month as they prepare to embark on a one-day 1,500-mile trip from Folkestone to Lisbon riding the legendary BMW Motorrad R1200 RT touring sensation. Thanks to motorcycles loaned by BMW Motorrad UK and Vines of Guildford dealership in Surrey, Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists duo (IAM), Peter Scott and Rick Parish, are scheduled to depart the Folkestone Eurostar Terminal on Tuesday 27 December before riding across France and Spain through the night in an effort to arrive well in time to mingle with the likes of Charley Boorman and his Race to Dakar team at the specially organised World of BMW Dakar party.

Looks like we'd better make it or have a good excuse!

Tim