UK to Morocco for 2weeks (ish) over Xmas and Part of the Dakar anyone interested?
 

I plan to travel from the UK quickly through France/Spain either on bike or in a van to southern Spain then hop across to Morocco and look for some nice (off road) tracks and hopefully see some of the Dakar probably following it for a bit (not the race route though an easier route the support trucks use).

I would be doing this on an Aprillia Pegaso with some semi off road tyres (block pattern) so thay are good on the road as well.

I ride quite a lot off road in the UK (enduro) and would like to take the bike wherever I can go (some sand riding would be nice) but safely as well!

If you are interested let me know also email me at my username here @yahoo.com to make up the email address.

Good riding

Ian

I have sort of looked at doing simailer but i will be in 4x4 if i get it sorted but my thoughts are along the business side of things with customers.

Ian
Sent you an email a week ago. did you receive it? Leave a post here, PM me, or send me a mail via my website.
ChrisB

Watching the Dakar
 

We'll be watching the Dakar '08 in Spain, but still waiting for the final route.

I suspect they will do the same as last year and have the trucks go through Algeciras and the cars and bikes via Malaga. Malaga is a great place to get up close and personal with the competitors.

If your down that way for the Dakar, drop me a PM.

No I didn't - I will try to PM you after this message

Me & 2 friends go from derby on the 28th december & return 12 jan, doing same as you :thumbup1:
Travel with car & trailer till it gets warm (spain) find somwhere to dump the car/trailer then ride :scooter:

Ian: How is your planning for the trip going? Have you fixed dates yet and are you riding all the way down through France?

I did a similar trip in April on my KTM950 and had a great time out there (bumped into Chris on his DRZ in Merzouga as it happened).
I've been toying with the idea of doing another run down there in the near future to have another crack at some of the off-road routes.
If you're still looking for somebody to join you then let me know your planned dates and the routes you plan to do when you get there and we'll see if we can sort something out...

Mark.

Hi Ian and others,
All the PM said was that me and a mate are vanning 2 DRZs to Moroc. We'll be in the Merzouga/Zagora area checking out old haunts and exploring new pistes around 15th to 27th December.

You can't miss us: Both bikes virtually identical: white/yellow with big 27litre fuel tanks. When in Merzouga will probably stay at the "Tuareg" which is close(ish) to the arch in town/the paved road running south out of town.

Ride safely,
Chris

We will miss you we wont get over to Morocco until the 28th ish Dec.

Hi dates are pretty fixed at going out 26 Dec returning back to the UK 19th Jan.

We have 3 going, I'm happy to have 4 in the group though at the moment the cheapest option is to take my car over and the 3 bikes on a trailer though at the moment this is just an idea - and I dont have a trailer (yet!) - And I dont know if we could fit 3 bikes on including a 1200GS.

We're looking at something similar now as it will save a lot of money each in the travelling - Have you done this before? Do you know if you have to pay caravan toll road rates through France and Spain?

Incidentally I wouked costs out as:
Option D = Take my Peogeot 405 with 3 bikes on a trailer and leave the car and trailer in southern or mid spain . It may be nice to drop it off say 5 hrs before the ferry point to Morocco (Tarifa) and get out and ride a bit since we would be well fed up of being stuck in a car by then. I have contacted the HU community in southern spain near the post in the hope some nice individual would let us park the car and trailer at their house or somewhere safe. Note also I do not have a trailer yet - I may be able to borrow one though if we do this we should bung the guy a tenner each towards new tyres!
Tolls are based on a car with caravan - hopefully a trailer would be cheaper.
Tolls through France and Spain = £78 x 2 = 156
1425 miles ( calais to Gibraltar ) / 40mpg = 35 gallons x 2 ways = 70 gallons x 3.65 £/gallon = £255 Fuel Total (note this slightly more expensive fuel cost/gallon is probably more realistic)
Ferry = 180 return (expensive because of the trailer)
Total = 591 / 3 people = 197 each

Is this what you have costed out or have you not worked it out?

Ian

[quote=men8ifr;156264]We're looking at something similar now as it will save a lot of money each in the travelling - Have you done this before? Do you know if you have to pay caravan toll road rates through France and Spain?

we had not realy worked out the tolls but yes it's a first for us (can,t wait) Hope to park up in spain & ride like you say could do with a friendly place to park @ least the costs will be devided by 3 taking 3 gs's

Be careful that the weight of the three bikes along with the basic weight of the trailer doesn't will take you over the 750kg limit for a non-braked trailer, otherwise you'll need one with brakes (a 1200GS is about 210kg wet weight). You also need to consider the nose weight on the tow bar, plus insurance for the bikes whilst on the trailer.

Tim

Bikes will be empty of fuel & all the luggage in the pickup so should be ok but can get a braked trailer (like a horsebox) if required

Lisboa - Dakar
 

Hi Bikers,

i followed the Dakar 2007 2 Days. Er-Rachiidia to Tan Tan.

This year i will be following the Dakar from Lisboa to Dakar. I have a website with the description of the Project. Xtreme-project.com: Inspiration (sorry is in german).

I am still searching rider they will join me. If we are enough bikes and we share costs we can afford a Jeep they can carry some stuff.

You are interessted or you will only see the Dakar few days?

Dakar 08
 

To all following this, latest plan and most likely is : We will set off on boxing day bikes on board van, practically none stop down to S/Spain. Rest up then hit road on bikes. It's a long shot but is there anyone doing similar around the same time or on that day?????? Were using the obvious route on toll roads etc and would appreciate company!!!! (Me Ian and Trav). Any GS or GSA riders from S/Spain headin Morroc newyearish get intouch also. Ta muchly Mez/Graham.

We are going to sail @ 7 am from portsmouth 2 hr crossing on sat the 28th drive as you to spain (yet to find a place to store car/trailer)then ride the bms,there will be three of us, come back on the 12 th of jan :cool4:
(Also may have space for 4th rider & bike )

Morocco
 

Hi there (I presume) Mark,
We havnt booked ferry yet(doing that Sunday morn) but intend to travel on boxing day from Pompi. May be able to help with storage for Your trailer etc but then it's not My contact in S/Spain!!!!! We are staying slightly longer in Morocco and want to catch NewYears Eve in Marrakesh then head back to catch the rally at the first Moroc stage.These are loose plans and flexability IS always on the agender so........ get back to Us.
PS; Any wise words from BM riders reading this about BMW Motorrad insurance and there policy of not issuing 'green cards' for Morocco(unless on a BMW organised trip) would be appreciated before I cancel My policy....!!!!
Graham.

We also plan to have NewYears Eve in Marrakesh, but have not booked a hotel yet .Taking an old 1100gs (mine) & 2 1150 adventures so will ring my insurance to see about cover & recovery cover, it helps i am a mechanic

could I call You briefly or You call Me 07956291844. Cheers Graham

Yes, but i can't call mob from home my no is 01629 540713 or i will call you thursday when i am @ work

hallo mark we living 19 dec 6.30 from dover :thumbup1: 2 1/2 not three of us :thumbdown:

You mean 29th i hope :thumbup1: the rest i can live with (you booked it:D )
:welcome:

Graham This is the sailing (first time i have seen the ticket) i always went from portsmouth :oops2:

As booked by my mate Romeo
Route: Dover to Calais
Departing: Sat 29 December 2007 at 0635
Arriving: Sat 29 December 2007 at 0905
Passenger: 3 Adults

KTM Mark

I will give you a ring as it looks like I'm on my own now, maybe it would be good to meet up and do some riding..

Ian

morrocco or bust
 

Am heading to Morrocco via France & Spain about 3rd week in November.Anyone thinking the same?.
My bike BMW F650 GS Dakar.
Also would appreciate ahy information on ferries.

Cheers Paul:scooter:

Have your plans changed? I was looking at doing another trip in March, but I could be tempted to go earlier if our plans are compatable.
I have sent you a private message with my email address and mobile number if you want a chat.

Hi ian i am not @ home so will not get your call ,we are up to 4 riders & bikes which is the most we can take on the trailer .Very sorry you have problems with your plans hope you get it sorted ,i will try & help if i can
Regards Mark

Mark,

Do you know roughly what your plans are when you get into Morocco? I guess that you will not make it to any off road pistes (mostly in the south of the country) before new year?

Are you going to watch any of the Dakar - if so where / for how many days?

Are you spending new year in Rabat?

Ian

Do you know roughly what your plans are when you get into Morocco? I guess that you will not make it to any off road pistes (mostly in the south of the country) before new year?
# leave on the 29th & drive as far as we can in one go till spain (shifts) :eek3:

Are you going to watch any of the Dakar - if so where / for how many days?
#Yes, when we see the route plans, not sure on how many days :scooter:

Are you spending new year in Rabat?
# yes going to pre book
Ian[/quote]

Well another two riders joined my trip and another two riders dropped out - well i'm just waiting for confirmation that the 2nd rider will drop out but since he was having money worries and he is a friend of the other guy who dropped out i'm firmly expecting him to bail as well.

Anyway i'm getting a bit fed up of people saying they will come along and then after I have done all of the planning and prep work bail out when it suites them. (in several cases join other trips)

So if anyone else fancies this trip who won't bail out let me know.

Camp site just South of Almeria (ferry)
 

This may be of use there is a camp site just South of Almeria (Ferry to morroco) Its a decent price and they will let you leave your Van/Trailer there for the price of a pitch plus its a busy site and secure. I stayed out there a while back and loads of people did the above for trips and Rallies in morroco.

5th-20th Jan 08 = later than usual start for the "Dakar"
 

No one seems to have posted this as yet.

The route is on the PD webpage:-
http://www.dakar.com/2008/DAK/presen...s_novembre.pdf

In Morocco they are staying well away from the Atlantic coast and entering the country to the East of the usual ferry ports.

As before, less riding in Europe, no mention of Paris and more off-road.

See http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ublished-31114

Tim

Is that the price of a pitch for every day you leave your car/van there? How much is that?

Hi Guys

This site mite interest some of you biketruck.com