England - Senegal

[burdy]

I have some unexpected time off, and fancy a jolly so was thinking of riding somewhere nice.

I thinking I can't go to Eastern Europe, because of all the cold and the snow.

I can't go anywhere that requires lengthy visa apps, because I want to go ASAP.

So I was thinking of riding down France and Spain to Morroco, Western Sahara and Senegal.

I have less than a 100 mile range on my current bike, is this enough?

Thanks

Joel

[Tim Cullis]

You would certainly be OK in France, Spain and Morocco, though you would probably need to fill at every opportunity rather than at neat 100-mile intervals.

Western Sahara and Mauritania would be problematic, though. Perhaps if you stuck a jerry can on the back? The Moroccan souks sell heavy duty plastic containers that would probably take petrol.

But why go all the way to Senegal? The coast road through Western Sahara is said to be mindnumbingly boring and Morocco has more than enough to keep the average person occupied for several months.

Tim

[burdy]

That's the kind of info this place is so good for, having never been further than the borders of Europe, I didn't have a clue.

Morocco seems like my best bet, wishing I had something a bit lengthier in the tank though. I'm sure jerry can be strapped on somewhere to bump up my milage - hell, two four litre ones will double it!

Would love a little old Serow though, just can never find one.


Joel

[Tim Cullis]

OK, bear in mind that much of Morocco is more than 3000' above sea level, so can be cold, especially at night time. The further south, the warmer it gets. Check out the GS Morocco Knowledgebase at http://www.gsclubuk.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2896

Tim

[smokinrider]

how long have you got before you have to get back to the grind stone, and what bike do u have with only a 100m range. can u get a bigger tank. post your proposed dates and if your in marroc at the same time we'll hook up. how you taking the rest of your gear? i presume your taking the essentials.
The more info you can give the more help everyone can offer.

Im off early dec and will be in marocc till early jan. then heading south.

[burdy]

In reply to the question about warm kit -that's prob one of the few areas in which I am well prepared and sorted, I'm not a fan of being cold.

I'm leaving here (nr Lincoln) on the 25-28th I am hoping, and I don't have to to be back to that damn grindstone until the 12th of Dec.

As for gear, when you say essentials, I probably don't take many of what most people would call essentials, but then again I am almost a virgin to long range motorcycling. I have done some travelling, but only backpacking.

If it fits in my backpack, and a bag strapped to my tail it comes. (Y)

I'm one of those people who doesn't have a natural aptitude for good planning, I end up doing before I've thought.

Speaking to you on here is the pinnacle of my planning career!

I can get a bigger tank for my DRZ, but find it hard to justify spending £350 on it. If the motorcycle travel bug bites me, I'll sell this one, and get a smaller bike. It's just easy to ride the bike I already own for this ad hoc jolly.


Joel