Spectating the Dakar

I'm getting firmer on this now. I'm thinking of getting thePortsmouth to Bilbao ferry on 27Dec. Arrive Bilbao 29Dec, then 1.5 day ride to Lisbon and watch the scrutineering at Belem Cultural Centre, party and whatever on 30Dec.

First stage is Lisbon to Portimao (near Faro) on 31 Dec. Second stage will cross into Morocco, probably via Tanger, on 1Jan. I would hope to make another stage or two in Morocco.

Then plan to stay in Morocco for at least a week, maybe longer. There's no ferry back from Bilbao, so would need to hoof it back through France.

How far are you going, and what's your schedule?

Anyone else fancy a little wander?

Tim
 
Zmeagol said:
Oh, and apparently Plumbey used to work for Bracken, hence the tie-up.

Tim
Click to expand...

I've known him since he was wee lad, learning how to work on old BMW's .

he used to go and get lunch for everyone :D :D
 
Zmeagol said:
So did you teach him everything you know about offroad riding? :D :D
Click to expand...

I taught him everything he knows, FULL STOP . :D

Plus how to eat a full english fry-up put of a tupperwear box after it's been on the back of a bike. :eek:
 
Two of us are

Speedferries crossing Dover to Boulogne.
www.speedferries.com
Myself on F650GD plus another hardy soul on a GS ADV are booked on the ferry from Sete on 22nd December, riding though France with a wee culinary ( ;) ), mechanical servicing and & tyre change stop in Orange on the way.

Anyone wishing to tag along / get information, please feel free to email.
 
Yeehah!

Had a family conflab tonight talking about Christmas etc and I casually dropped into the conversation about seeing the start of the Dakar in Lisbon on 31 Dec. No adverse reaction. Wow. :cool: :cool:

Move on to stage 2 then. "Oh, and I'll have to leave three or so days before then." :o :o

"So, that's the day after boxing day?" was the reaction.

Looks like it's a goer. :eek: :eek: Better book the service, get new tyres, make lists...

Steve (aka ActiveMoto): Bearing in mind the journey back, I reckon it's a good 18-22 days, but if you want to come along for the first section you are more than welcome.

Tim
 
I had also heared that Nick Plumb was on a Braken KTM this year but speaking with Si Pavey last week he said that Nick is still on a BMW just in a different team to him & Charlie.
 
Nick's entered as a privateer currently under the banner 'Team Touratech' (though the name might change if they get £££ thrown at them). He's riding F650GSD-based bike in either silver/grey or white/grey. The mechanic is Bernie Wright from Park Lane BMW.

Nick was helped last year by Patsy Quick's team when he broke down and I think there's a great deal of cross-team help and support.

According to Patsy there are often individual entries where a rider attempts the Dakar without a mechanic. So when these riders reach the bivouac on the air strip, as well as eating and studying the next day's course, they also have to work on the bike before falling asleep. I don't think any of these guys have yet finished.

Tim
 
Tim,
I can make it. I don't know dates yet, but I don't fancy the Bay of Biscay in December :barf so will go and return via Calais.

I have added my name to Kylie's list for the BMW party in Lisbon.

Steve
 
Joining the party?

Tim:

I would be interested in joining you on the trip if you are not already crowded out; I am just working out the logistics (both miles and agreement of SWMBO) of getting the 27th Dec Portsmouth ferry (as I only arrive back in UK on another ferry from the Emerald isle at 12hoo that day!).

I have a GS1150. Would be interested in understanding how much (any) non-standard kit you reckon might be needed for the trip (satnav, knobblies etc) as my bike is pretty standard.

Not sure as a new GSer whether I have privilege level to PM you but will wait to hear from you (I am at [email protected]).

regards

Simon
 
Steve

Good news. See you in Lisbon...


Simon

You would be welcome indeed. I am on knobblies but Tourances or another midway tyre should be fine. I am back with the BMW plastic cases, so need to take care when offroad. I have GPS and have will preloaded all of Chris Scott's routes and some others.

My email is [email protected] or [email protected] when on the move. I haven't booked the ferry yet, but the lowest quote so far is £134 incl accommodation.

Tim
 
Hello all, another newbie here.

I'm also planning on watching the Dakar live. Planning on getting Portsmouth Caen ferry on afternoon of Tuesday 27th Dec and riding France on Wednesday 28th, Spain on 29th (my birthday) and getting to Lisbon on Friday 30th.

Can someone advise where to stay in Lisbon please. Would love to meet up with fellow GSers.

Planning on crossing to Tanger on 1st Jan and following Dakar for first week.

I'm travelling with my 14 year old son. We took part in the Plymouth Dakar Challenge earlier this year so know what to expect in Morocco etc. We also plan to meet some of this years Plymouth Dakar people in Sotogrande before getting ferry to Morocco. We were supposed to be going the Challenge ourselves again this year but decided we would rather take the bike as the roads look like fun.

My bike is a R1100GS. Due to illness, I've not used it much in the last few years but this trip should put a few miles on the clock. Just fitted a new set of knobblies so should have fun in Morocco.

Chatted to Charlie Borman at NEC bike showlast week and he was very interesting guy. It will be great to see him competing in this event.

Cheers

Sid
 
Tim,

My plan is to leave UK on the 23rd Dec via Dover – Calais get to Lisbon on the 29th to hook up with you and go to the BMW party.
I guess we will leave Lisbon on the 30th and head for Morocco.

I plan to catch a ferry home from Calais on the 14th Jan

Do you have a hotel in Lisbon?

Steve
 
It looks like BMW has changed the date, originally it was to be the 30 December, now it's the 29th. The boat arrives in Bilbao at 0800 on the 29th and Lisbon is 550 miles away, which must be 10-11 hours riding. Portugal is on Western European Time, which gives another hour, but it doesn't change how many hours of daylight there are. Whether it's possible to make the 29th depends upon the weather. :eek:

Re Mike Werner's post
Mike Werner said:
Since BMW are running their New Year party on the 29th, we're going to be stuck for a real party on the 31st. Anyone going to Lisbon in for a party ??? Let's organize ourselves !!! Head count please !!! No PM, just add yourself to this thread. Anyone living in Lisbon out there who can help ???
Click to expand...
I imagine there will be other Dakar-related parties on the night of 30 December. The rally starts in Lisbon the morning of 31 December, and I certainly want to watch that, but for the evening of 31 December I would plan to be near the first night's stop at Portimao (near Faro) or maybe further along on the way to Morocco.

Tim
 
Zmeagol said:
It looks like BMW has changed the date, originally it was to be the 30 December, now it's the 29th. The boat arrives in Bilbao at 0800 on the 29th and Lisbon is 550 miles away, which must be 10-11 hours riding. Portugal is on Western European Time, which gives another hour, but it doesn't change how many hours of daylight there are. Whether it's possible to make the 29th depends upon the weather. :eek:

Re Mike Werner's post I imagine there will be other Dakar-related parties on the night of 30 December. The rally starts in Lisbon the morning of 31 December, and I certainly want to watch that, but for the evening of 31 December I would plan to be near the first night's stop at Portimao (near Faro) or maybe further along on the way to Morocco.

Tim
Click to expand...

Tim, I presume the prolog is on the 31st and the 1st is just a liaison stage. So the new year parties will be held on the 31st....

I don't think I'll be there by the 29th of the BMW one, maybe, but not likely.

There's no KTM bash, since there are several KTM teams. I know one, and they don't have an official one, just a team gathering.

Any of you going to the BMW one ??
 
Mike,
I am going to the BMW party on the 29th and plan to see the start on the 31st and then head off for Portimao.

Steve
 
Hi Guys,
If this trip isn't already over-subscribed, I'd like to tag along.
I've been to Morocco before and have maps , GPS etc and have also read Chris Scott's books several times..........
Departing Tuesday 27th is fine and from where I live, Portsmouth is my preferred port, either to Caen or (preferably) Bilbao.
I have no fixed return date and will generally go with the flow.
Hope this'll be ok.

Brian
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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