We're off - well the bike is
 

Left the XT in the care of Jim Wolfe who is the technical support for the trip. Jim Wolfe and Nick Sanders will transport 27 bikes to Lisbon where we will set off for Timbuktu on 5th January alongside the Dakar riders.
Thanks to all who have sponsored the Leukaemia Research project.
Will take some pics and post on return in February. Happy New Year.

All the best for the trip,have a great one
Look forward to your photo's

Dazzer

great photos and nice SM. Hope all goes well on the trip. I watch the TV show of last years and it looked great fun. Hope you have a good time and take plenty of pictures just for us. :laughing11:

just found this.
Just show's you that even in this part of North Africa you still have to be on your guard.

Maybe it's not such a good Idea me going on my own :120:

anyone want to come with me :3some:

http://africa.reuters.com/country/MR...nL2774098.html


Three Mauritanian soldiers killed in desert clash

Thu 27 Dec 2007, 18:44 GMT

[ -] Text [ +]

By Ibrahima Sylla
NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) - Gunmen travelling in two vehicles killed three Mauritanian soldiers on Thursday in a desert clash in the north of the Saharan country, a military official said.
The identity of the gunmen was not immediately known but the clash took place in the same vast northeastern desert region of Mauritania where Islamic militants allied to al Qaeda killed 15 soldiers in a 2005 raid. The region borders Western Sahara to the west, Algeria to the north and Mali to the east.
On Monday suspected Islamic extremists killed four French tourists and wounded a fifth in southern Mauritania in an attack that raised fears al Qaeda-linked militants who have carried out attacks in Algeria and Morocco may be seeking to extend their operations southwards to Mauritania, Senegal and Mali.
Another security official had earlier reported that four soldiers were killed in Thursday's incident near an army position at El Ghallawiya, some 700 km (440 miles) northeast of the capital Nouakchott.
The Mauritanian military official, who asked not to be named, said a unit from the El Ghallawiya army outpost had tried to intercept two vehicles travelling through the desert area, not far from the huge Guelb er Richat crater.
"The fleeing occupants of the cars turned and opened fire on the army vehicle, killing three soldiers and seizing a weapon," the official said. The army was hunting for the attackers.
The killing of the French tourists and the slaying of the soldiers occurred as Mauritanian authorities were preparing to host the high-profile Lisbon-Dakar rally that will start January 5 and cross through Morocco and Mauritania en route to Senegal.
Traffickers of drugs and arms, Tuareg rebels and armed bandits also roam the huge desert wastes of the southern Sahara that extend across the north of Mauritania, Mali and Niger.
Security forces in Mauritania, Senegal and Mali are hunting for the three killers of the French tourists, two of whom are suspected of links with the Algeria-based Islamic militant group formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), which is accused of attacks in North Africa.
The GSPC has changed its name to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb after allying itself to mainstream al Qaeda. In September, al Qaeda's second in command urged north African Muslims to "cleanse" their land of Spaniards and French.
Monday's killings shocked the largely desert former French colony that straddles Arab and black Africa. Authorities have been trying to develop a nascent desert tourism industry. (Additional reporting by Diadie Ba; Writing by Pascal Fletcher; Editing by Ibon Villelabeitia)

I noted these recent incidents Dazzer.
I'm told that you're probably OK if you avoid the desert in the NE of Mauritania. Travel in a group if you can link up with others. Only problem in Western Saharan (I think this is the area referred to as 'Islamic Mahgreb' in the Reuters article) close to the Mauritanian border is that the bandits know which route to keep an eye on as it is the only safe way through the minefields laid during the Polisario guerilla war.
Off to Lisbon at 0500.
Cheers.
Tim

Hi Tim
Please Keep us posted with update's.
You by now have heard that party because of this The Dakar as been called off.

Safe trip Mate

Dazzer

Back from Timbuktu
 

Well, that was a 'king long way.

I can report that the XT was excellent throughout. I only had 1 crash at any speed (103 km/h) on piste which caused some minor modifications to the handlebars, brake and clutch pedals. All put back in shape at the roadside without special tools. Touratech large bashplate did its job brilliantly.

Watching big GSs wallowing around and falling over in soft sand justified riding the XT. I have a R1200GS and love riding it on paved roads, but I would have smashed it to pieces with my riding 'style' :laughing7: which relies more on luck than skill. The (15 or 16?) large GSs had accumulated, according to a bike dealer riding on the trip, about �25000 of collective damage.

Other bikes which fared well were 2 Suzuki VStroms, a couple of KTM Adventures and 4 BMW F650GS Dakars. Of these, the Dakars were the best all round - after the XTs. Not bad when you consider the difference in purchase price between a prepared XT and a prepared BMW Dakar is about �6000!

Overall impressions:
Morocco: paradise for XTR or XTX riders. Roads are paved well and in excellent condition until you get far south into Western Sahara. The best is in the Atlas ranges where the roads are alpine style, weather is reliable, cheap hotels and you can still buy a beer at the end of the day. I wouldn't bother going further south than the Anti-Atlas again. Marrakech worth a visit for the main square alone, but don't get shafted by the dodgy food sellers. Find a stall where the locals are easting and agree the price beforehand - avoid stall 15 :thefinger:. Hotel Foucauld is in the city centre and has secure parking for bikes. Volubilis is interesting and the Hotel Volubilis is excellent. The Hotel Col du Kerdus is perched on a mountain top in the Anti-Atlas. Worth the trip. They take Euros everywhere and don't mind if you struggle by in bad French. The people are friendly generally and want to encourage tourism. The police greet you with a smile and are helpful, providing you are polite and have correct insurance and documentation on request.

Mauritania: not worth the effort. No beer. Miles and miles and miles of roads which are straight, uneventful and flat. You have to avoid the odd comedy camel, stupid goat, sand drift and land mine (not on the roads) but that is all. Sandstorms are frequent and are not fun to ride through. The 70 mph crosswind blown sand strips paint off your bike engine, leaves your mouth dry (Did I mention there's no beer?) eyes gummed up and your lungs so full of dust that you cough for days after. Being born in Mauritania must be one of the worst deals ever. No wonder thousands of Mauritanians set out into the Atlantic, hoping to make it to the Canary Islands in small boats.

Mali: pleasant around the Niger as the people have irrigation and a better life as a result. Segou is on the Niger and is a lively town with several decent hotels. The capital Bamako is chaotic and like riding in a video game, but the people are quite laid-back and friendly. Timbuktu is the exception. It is a dusty sh**hole where the local police chief impounded our passports and bike keys then came up with a 'tourist charge' which had to be paid before we could leave town. Photoshop a picture of you and your bike standing in front of the Timbuktu landmark and save yourself the grief.

I have Google Earth kml files, and Garmin gpx files of the entire route, if anyone uses Mapsource. I can't upload these here as they break the attachment protocol, so drop me a PM with your email address.

Pictures to follow. My (Canon Powershot) camera packed up - silicon dust knackers everything - after a week riding in the desert, so pics are a bit limited. The autofocus jammed up with dust after a couple of days, so several pics are blurred.

You're making us all proud son! Keep up the good work and remember...:needpics[1]:

PM sent for the .gpx files. All this adventure stuff is getting me hooked. I might even give it a go myself one day.

Try packing them in a zip file

Can't wait to see the pics :toothy10:

Mapsource gpx Google Earth kml files
 

The zip file of the tracks to and from Timbuktu is over 1.3Mb compressed. They contain a lot of information. You will have to get them by email.
Cheers

Timbuktu photo album link
 

http://picasaweb.google.com/TimFairless/Timbuktu2008

pics that I have managed to retrieve from the dust detroyed camera.
Cheers

Some fantastic pics you got there Techno, who's the other bloke on the other XTR anyone from here?

Cheers

excellent,
glad to hear you made it back ok ,

Well done fella!!! Now for...
:needpics[1]:

Thanks for the files.

You weren't hanging around fella. :thumbsup:

"You weren't hanging around fella."

The corrugations shake you to pieces. I found 90kph was comfortable, but obstacles come up a bit quick. Have you found the track detail on the return leg from TBT where it goes something like 103kph, (elevation rises by 2m as XT is airborne) 0kph, 1kph, 2kph? A big sand hole took the front wheel and stopped it dead. My natural enthusiasm got the better of me and I didn't see it! It was the only time in 440km of piste.

Have a look at Thorsten's travelblog on this site for an alternative description of this road. He is taking it carefully as he is travelling unsupported. Took him a 12 hours each way. In contrast, the quickest rider in our group (an Aussie riding an XT600E) did the return 220km in 150 minutes - unfortunately this left his bike with a square back wheel and collapsed rear suspension. Took me about 230 minutes, but that included the fall and helping to lift a broken R1200GS into the back of a wagon. The XT660R would definitely have been one of the quickest machines in the hands of a decent rider.
The suspension was used fully and it coped well. Have a look at the travel on the front forks in one of the pictures posted on Picasa http://picasaweb.google.com/TimFairless/Timbuktu2008
The forks were compressed fully by a couple of sand hole impacts, but had 2 inches of travel to spare over most of the terrain. I'd upgrade the rear unit if I was carrying a heavy load over rough terrain for any length of time - or one could just slow down.....

The other XT rider is Ralph Purvis. He said he had seen this site, but I don't know if he is a regular. His XTR snapped the OEM chain after about 6000 miles (an F650 Dakar pushed him 40 miles through the desert and into Laayoune through the police checkpoints to get the XT home that night!), but otherwise finished the trip without a hitch. Good to have another XTR on the trip. We helped each other with maintenance; changing tyres etc, which made life a lot easier.

Where did you get the extra fuel cans from? i cant find any like that anywhere.

I can help you there:


http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/sto.../3/products/49

The Fuel cells may be on sale in the UK soon ,I will keep you posted.

Koplin fuel cells uk
 

Found these in uk a while ago
http://www.cjindustries.co.uk/cg010001.html

Alpos panniers
 

Hi Dazzer, thinking of using Alpos boxes as the price seems really good, how are you getting on with them? are they robust and waterproof? would they survive much punishment? thanks Paul

Hi Paul
I have had these Alpos Pannies for a few year's and they have been on a few bike's.
They have been great vale for money,and water tight.

I dont know how they would stand up to a big off,but I have dropped other bike's with them on and they have not been damaged.

Alpos
 

Thanks for that thumbs up Dazzer, ive just placed my order for a pair of std? 36 litre boxes for �150. Was considering peli cases but want to mount some 5 litre cans on the front by passenger pegs (seems to be plenty of room looking at your pics) which i wouldnt be able to do with the Peli. also theres room on top of box lids for strapping gear.

Alpos panniers arrived
 

Alpos panniers arrived, unpacked one and decided (unfortunately cos they are cheap) to send them back! probally ok for comuting or casual use, but ive seen stronger constructed biscuit tins! I think after a few serious bike drops they would be toasted. So ive now ordered the 1550 Peli cases which hopefully are virtually indestructable and will suit my Ewan Mcgregor style of riding better!

Dazzer,

Would you mind telling me where you got your fuel cans from, and how they bolt up to your top rack?

I'm in the market for a similar, if not identical setup to yours.

Thanks in advance,

John

BTW - your PM inbox is full!

thanks for letting me know about the mail box.

The fuel cell's have been mounted to a Touratech rack,but it could not hold the extra weight,so I had to fit 2 more suport's.

I will get a new photo which will show the suport's .

I have now moved the cell's 3 inch more to the rear,to allow more room for my pillion,with a airhawk pad fitted,it allow's that bit more room on the seat for 2.

here is the email address of Jim Webber,he is the chap that you need to contact to order the cell's

If you mention That I passed on his address,he is very good to deal with,and they offer a first class service.

My order arrived in less than a week.

jwebber@kolpinpowersports.com

if your wanting Panniers that are very very strong,have a look at these

http://www.cajasahel.com/

there are a few make's that will take a big knock.

Maybe Alpos are not making them as good as they used to,the old one's I have are as well made as the Touratech one's,but are about half the price.

The E Mc riding style.....does that mean falling off alot :biggob:

Many thanks Dazzer. I'll drop him a mail.

John