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.

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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

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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.

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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
Travel with car & trailer till it gets warm (spain) find somwhere to dump the car/trailer then ride

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.

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

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?

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
(Also may have space for 4th rider & bike )

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

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

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