Back from Algeria

[bernardo feio lightweight]

Hi Steve

Our guide didn’t have the slighter idea here the fort was!

[StevenD]

Originally Posted by Rui Pedro Tremoceiro

Hi Steven.

It´s possible that the fort is in use again. This picture has 4-6 years, maybe. I found a french man that worked there in 1957-58, as radio-telegraphist. Anyway, we could check by ourselves. Do you have binoculars?

See you,

Rui
Portugal

I brought binoculars but the fort was much higher up then our track. the small part where you could see the fort itself went past me without noticing Bernardo had to tell me we passed it.
Working on a 1000km otonomy bike right now so who know's next year

Ah Bernardo, at least our guide could make a nice tea and camp fire

[Rui Pedro Tremoceiro]

Hi Steven

Nice to know that! I'm feeling better day by day. My GS has an autonomy of 1000-1100 km, fully loaded. Difficult to ride, but ok.

Next March?

Rui
Portugal

Last March I used 60 lt. (33 lt main GS Adventure tank + 2 lt small black Touratech plastic on left case + 5 lt jerrycan on right case + 2 x 10 lts jerrycans on passenger seat.) I´ve done 925 km without refill. For longer distances I can use 2 x 20 lt jerrycans.) I have a large cargo plate instead of passengers seat. Very good for heavy loads,as a passenger. Just possible to ride on piste with TKC 80.Road tires makes this "panzer tank" very unsafe!

[bernardo feio lightweight]

Rui

How many litters of petrol are you planning to take?

And what is your average consumption in the pists?

I always use the following rule:

(Max number of kms * 30%) * average consumption for the terrain + 20L


(for the LW)
900*30% = 1170 Kms * 15L/100kms = 175L + 20L = 195 Litters

For this pist we travelled with 180L of diesel and 30L of petrol to the bike

[Hanomax]

Originally Posted by bernardo feio lightweight

The guide is only necessary in the north of the country and I believe that someone that wants to travel in the north can do it without much fuss.

The guide is necessary in the south (...)

Hi Bernardo,
the above (excerpt of your post) is somewhat contradictory. Could you please shed a light? Do you have to have a guide for the north or for the south? And can you somehow "lose" your guide and continue on your own? I thought I understood that much from your experience.
That would be great news. I'm dying to go back to Algeria. Like most everyone else, I prefer doing it more or less independently.

Thanks and happy travels,
Max

[priffe]

Check with the Algerian embassy what you need to do to get a visa. Some say an invitation by an agency is necessary. In Stockholm we could get it by presenting hotel reservations (that could later be cancelled).
Once you have the visa you can enter the country, but some places like Oran and Taleg Larbi they seem adamant about having a guide meet you.
Once you are with the guide, they will try to sign you up for the entire trip until you leave the country.
We had a slightly different experience last year http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-jusqua-42600
You will not be allowed to go on your own in the south.

[bernardo feio lightweight]

most of the travel agencies will tell you that the guide is necessary in all the country.

from my and Rui Tremoceiro experince you can drive in the north with out any guide. (April 2010)


bernardo feio

[Rui Pedro Tremoceiro]

Hi all

I will have fresh news in the next days. This night there is another portuguese motorcycle crossing the Mediterrean to Argelia. Again, solo moto and no guide. We prepared the trip together, since March-April. We will see...
This is THE MAN!



Inch'Allah!

Rui
Portugal


P.S. This time the bike is not this 50 cc scooter! He's using an Africa Twin with a 56 lt. main fuel tank.

[oothef]

That's a much bigger lump than a 50cc! Won't the pizza be cold by the time he gets there? where ever there is! I wait with baited breath for the outcome and report...

[Rui Pedro Tremoceiro]

Hi oothef

I'm sure that the pizza will stay very hot for the next 3 weeks!

Inch'Allah
(... and lots of fresh water!)

Rui

[Yves]

Hi,
any new from the pizza boy - he might be in Algerian Sahara by now?

[Fastship]

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

Dont know if you know but Ouallen and several other abandoned French-era desert forts like Serenout, Chebaba, (as well as key wells like Tim Missao) have been re-occupied by the Algerian army in recent years.

Ch

Chris - are such forts marked on Michelin maps or any other for that matter?

[Rui Pedro Tremoceiro]

Hi all

The pizza boy arrived yesterday at Timimoun under 57ºC.
He is ok and will rest a few days in the oasis.

Rui

[Chris Scott]

... are such forts marked on Michelin maps or any other for that matter?

The old French-era ones ('bordj'), yes, but not all may be re-occupied.

Newer military installations, not all are shown, but they are very few.

Ch

[pera]

Excuse me, pizza boy is that Portugese that rides an little scooter?