fun on atlantic route

[mayhem]

hi there,

i'm planning to do the atlantic route this winter from the UK to Banjul. This seems to be a somewhat straightforward task now, am i underestimating it?

my concern is that actually it might be too simple and boring, just hours of asphalt. I've always dreamt of crossing the sahara but after doing lots of research on here i'm thinking it might be a sandy version of the M1.

are there any likely diversions on the way that we can take?

We'll be 2 up on an old bmw, so what with fuel, camping gear and particularly water we can't head too far off track, but i definitely want to sleep in the desert proper.

any tips or ideas gratefully received!?

thanks,

ted

[Chris Scott]

Mile for mile it is a bit dull as you say but most nights you can ride as far into the desert as you like. Also, besides southern Morocco's mountains and Western Sahara towns like Layounne, further south in WS the beaches are quite interesting. Lots of modern fishing rubbish but also old bottles and what looked like bits of a wrecked galleon, if you like that sort of stuff - and that's just Morocco/WS...
So, it's as interesting as you make it; slowing down helps

Ch

[mayhem]

thanks Chris, that sounds like the plan then.

looking at the map in your sahara book, it looks like i could ride back up the beach from nouakchott for a nights stay by the sea, is that feasible?

[Chris Scott]

i could ride back up the beach from nouakchott for a nights stay by the sea, is that feasible?

Yes, but 2-up on an old BM you'd want to come back down to NKT and take the road up unless you are feeling brave.

Ch

[orrin]

Hey Ted
I am also heading down atlantic route end october. I am going solo so for me to do a "Rambo" stunt in the desert is impossible. But I too want to camp out in the middle of nowhere! So It makes sense to cross parths with another traveller and do a quick desert experience. I started a thread: Atlantic route update? just for that reason, to see what my chances are of meeting someone keen along the way. Perhaps you can reply in that thread and let people know when you are going and what your time frame is?
Orrin

[mayhem]

hi orrin, i'll do that now!

thanks for that chris, and all the inspiration!!

ted