Morocco to Cape Town
 

I am at the “gathering together of ideas, and interest, stage” for tour of Vintage and Classic BMW’s, of the R50 and R 60 series built in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The proposed itinerary will be from North Cape (Northern Norway) to South Cape (Cape of Good Hope) in South Africa, travelling through Norway, Sweden, and Germany, France and Spain and thence over the Straights of Gibraltar to Morocco (approx 4000 miles). From there on it is intended to follow the metalled road route down the West Coast of Africa and across the Sahara, as far as it goes and them by the most convenient and safe route, to South Africa (6000 to 7000 miles?) Suitable stops would be arranged to take in interesting places on the way. Where possible the trip would keep to main roads and off road excursions would not be planned. It would be an ongoing aim to select a deserving need to donate any surplus funds at the end of the journey.

Ideally the rider / bike combined age should be at least 100 years (not a show stopper if if you don’t add up) and it would be expected (essential) that bikes should be in an extremely good condition (as should be the riders) and be able to undertake such a journey without major trauma. Six bikers would seem to be the right number and the choice of the right bikes would ensure that spares could be kept to a minimum and all bikes will have equal performance (nobody playing catch-up all the time). Departure is anticipated to be late August 2008

It is not intended to be a race or rally or enduro, but a gentle ride by a bunch of semi senile ageing old farts, riding museum pieces, on an interesting, challenging and rewarding trip of up to 3 months. It is anticipated that an average of 200 to 250 mile per day would be ridden.

Ideally I would like participants to represent a number of countries, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, France and Spain come to mind and maybe if somebody from across the pond would be interested that would be just great. Preference will be given to those riders who can bring something of use to the act (a support vehicle would guarantee a place). I have in mind any body who has travelled by motor cycle in Africa or other long distance trip, those who have medical skills, highly trained mechanics, those who can attract sponsorship and so on, I think you can probably ketch my thought train. We want to attract you as much as you much as you want to be part of the team as it will be a team effort. I would like to include a support vehicle (a suitably equipped Winnebago would be nice) with a covered trailer capable of carrying a couple of bikes, spares, fuel tyres etc would be just right.

I would be looking for sponsorship from whatever source is available and would seek to contact a television company who might see this as an interesting project to pursue if suitable numbers of riders can be assembled. Anobody any ideas?

I know this seems a long way away but the logistics would de horrendous and would require a lot of time and effort to get them right. (Visa’s, Sponsorship, detailed route planning, Carnet’s etc).Cost is not easy to estimate at this stage but I would envisage £3000 pounds per bike would cover the cost. (Fuel, Visa’s, food and limited accommodation). Camping out on the way would minimise expenses. The whole tour would be on a shared cost basis.

Let me have your thoughts and any interest you may have in participation together with bike details and photos and any sponsorship that you may be able to attract. Any body else who would be willing to act as an advisor / mentor would be welcome.

Thanks to Reg Walker for the idea.

Contact me: John H Fisher at

john.fisher60@btinternet.com

Tel 0044 (0)1243 811998

Sponsorship sought for:

Fuel and Oil, support vehicle and trailer, clothing for Africa, helmets (Aria?) and boots, blue tooth communications equipment, covers for bikes, Web site building, updating and hosting, tyres and spares to name but a few.