Needing Inspiration for 20 days in October
 

I have 2 1/2 weeks off in October and was thinking of shipping a bike somewhere and riding home.

My initial thoughts were Dakar and riding to Santander for the boat back but after seeing the UK advice for the borders around Western Sahara (red do not travel) I'm unsure about safety.

I have two questions

1. Would that stop you going ?

2. If you have 20 days free where would you go?

Budget is not really an issue within reason and I ride an Africa Twin and i am from the UK.

Any Ideas?

Chris

Trans Euro Trail (TET) might interest you if you're after some dirt tracks.

Trans Euro Trail
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
Trans Europe Trail Ideas ??? | Adventure Rider

It's free and the GPS track is due to be released soon.

I don't know what kind of riding you like but this will give you an idea of what the TET is about, quotes from the TET founder:

"The idea of the TET is a route suitable for mid-range trail bikes - like the WR250R, DRZ400, CCM GP450, 600 Tenere, XR400, XR650, 660 Tenere, KTM 690, BMW XChallenge etc riding one up and carrying fairly lightweight robust luggage like GL Coyote, Magadans etc with a minimum of kit. It is not aimed at GSs, Varaderos, Triumph XCs and KTM 950/990s etc with panniers and the kitchen sink (unless wielded by very competent riders). "

"We're aiming at lighter weight bikes with soft luggage maximising the off tar element. For example our Balkans stretch from Slovenia to Albania is currently 85% dirt."

You could certainly do that trip in the time available and unless things have changed on the security front in the last week or two I'm not aware of any particular issues that make it more tricky than normal.

If you're on a tight schedule though it's the shipping into Dakar and the "African time" element to getting the paperwork sorted out is what would worry me. You'd probably want to be looking at using a shipping agent with local connections rather than trying to DIY it.

It's worth the effort though if you've not been down there before (IMHO anyway)

Thanks
 

Thanks both - I appreciate it.

Chris.

I am aware there was some dispute between Morocco and Polisario forces regarding the area near Guerguerat but I thought this was now resolved, see https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/201...om-guerguerat/

So with a little more research I would be inclined to go. When I first did this trip it was just after the French declared the area unsafe and the Dakar Rally was cancelled. In the event I went and there were no problems.

The other alternative would be to ship the bike to southern Spain and then ride Morocco.