I've been preparing a for a bike ride on my own down to Dakar leaving UK mid October. The news yesterday that an ebola victim has been confirmed in Dakar has made me have 2nd thoughts. Of course the full implications of this news will be a lot clearer in a month or so. If this were to prove to be the only victim I would probably still travel, however this could be the start of a more serious outbreak in Senegal, with border closures etc., as we have seen in other ebola countries.

So as I have the time available I'm considering other options. I could go down as far as Dahkla in Western Sahara and cross the tropic of Cancer, a first for me, spending some time in Morocco on the way. I mainly intend to stick to tarmac. I've been to Morocco a few times but there are still areas to explore.

But if I didn't go to Africa then perhaps to the Balkans. Maybe not the best time of year as it'll get chilly in November, hence the reason for planning to head south. I'd love to visit Sarajavo again and the roads in Bosnia are great fun to ride. I'd head for Turkey but did a tour there last year.. I suppose the 'Stans are an option but had not seriously considered them.

I had prepped a G650 xCountry for the Dakar trip but have an R1200GS in the garage too which would not need much to make it ready, I'd probably take the GS if heading east.

So, any thoughts, ideas?