Choum

[tarisius]

hi guys

I read somewhere that is possible to ride a bike on(top of) the railway Nouadhibou - Choum . Is this true or just a tale?
I also read that the road from Zuerat to Atar has been sealed and there is construction going on on a road from Atar to Tijikja.

It all looks a bit too much. However if anybody has first hand info are welcome.

safe ridings !

Alessandro

[Bartosz]

Road from Atar to Tidijkia is almost completly. I rode it in January. There was only about 10 km of sand, rest was sealed. Wind blow there strong so you can find some sections of road completly cover by sand. This is very beautifully part of Mauritania.

[ursula]

hello Alessandro

Pushbikegirl took the train in february 2019 – so it must be still possible to ride on it


https://www.pushbikegirl.com/bikepac...-sand/?lang=en


Good luck!
Ursula

[markharf]

OP, I'm not clear whether you are asking about a motorbike or a pushbike. There are some differences. I'm also wondering whether you mean to carry your bike in one of the hopper cars, or ride it on the tracks. Another big difference.

People do ride bikes next to the tracks--along with 4x4s. The first of many search results using the box in the upper right corner of this page: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...torcycle-68523.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[ursula]

It is not a real pleasure to travel on the piste near the iron train from Nouadhibou to Choum.
We had sometimes very soft sand but driving in the train tracks instead was dangerous because of small pieces of metal cutting the tyres!

[tarisius]

Originally Posted by ursula

It is not a real pleasure to travel on the piste near the iron train from Nouadhibou to Choum.
We had sometimes very soft sand but driving in the train tracks instead was dangerous because of small pieces of metal cutting the tyres!

Thank you for precious info.

Alessandrp

[tarisius]

hello Mark.
you made good points, my post and question were not clearly spelt out.
Well I am on an Africa Twin dct which makes me quite scary of deep soft sand ruts: this bike is very heavy for my reduced strenghts (going 64 and used all the time xrl650 or similar bikes).
I am travelling solo and in next August so at this point I will make my decision when i arrive at the big corner.

safe ridings

Alessandro

[ursula]

they are loading nearly everything - camels, donkeys, cattle, cars and here also a bike



all the best
Ursula

[Chris Scott]

There is much talk about riding between the rails, but as you can see from the photo, the terrain to either side is not so bad, even for an AT. The 3 dune cordons which cross the track soon after Choum – and where you may think the rail track is easier – are low rolling dunes as I recall. Lots of room to either side to find the best route.

But sand ruts are bad on any bike heavier than a 250 MX. The last bike I heard try it – an old AT – broke his leg on this piste, chiefly because if the weight of fuel and water. Others have looked and wisely turned back.
So I would not tackle this piste alone on any bike at any time, let alone an AT in August. I would put it on the flatbed or take the coast road.

[anydavenow]

I did this solo in November last year but I have to second Chris's comments to be honest. I had a blast but I wouldn't want to be responsible for encouraging others to do it alone unless they're experienced with solo desert riding on a big, loaded bike.

I'm not saying I'm the most experienced but it was pushing the limits for me. I needed to carry 50L of fuel and used every drop. There's some difficult, rutted sand sections which need quite a bit of speed on the big bike to stay in control.

I was lucky with weather—not too hot. I'm glad I did it but it's not something you just have a go at without prior experience in similar conditions.

[priffe]

It was a struggle




My predicament was worse though

[tarisius]

Originally Posted by Bartosz

Road from Atar to Tidijkia is almost completly. I rode it in January. There was only about 10 km of sand, rest was sealed. Wind blow there strong so you can find some sections of road completly cover by sand. This is very beautifully part of Mauritania.

Hi,
sorry to bother you, I would like to know if the road you travelled on is the one via Nouakchott? Or is there a new road from Atar straight down south to Tijikja?
Apologies if this sounds silly.
Thanks in advance
Alessandro

[tarisius]

Originally Posted by anydavenow

I did this solo in November last year but I have to second Chris's comments to be honest. I had a blast but I wouldn't want to be responsible for encouraging others to do it alone unless they're experienced with solo desert riding on a big, loaded bike.

I'm not saying I'm the most experienced but it was pushing the limits for me. I needed to carry 50L of fuel and used every drop. There's some difficult, rutted sand sections which need quite a bit of speed on the big bike to stay in control.

I was lucky with weather—not too hot. I'm glad I did it but it's not something you just have a go at without prior experience in similar conditions.

thanks
the pic speaks for itself!

I have had some experiences with sands, actually quite a few but last one in the Sahara was in 2005 and riding Honda XRL 650 with Acerbis 44 lt thank much easier to handle than this AT I have got now.

What can I say. wrong age, wrong time, wrong bike( however this apply to me. I do not want to discredit a superb bike)

Thanks again for the useful advises!
Alessandro

[tarisius]

Originally Posted by ursula

they are loading nearly everything - camels, donkeys, cattle, cars and here also a bike



all the best
Ursula

Thank you Ursula
will send you a pic if and when I load my AT on that flat bed. It looks like one can still have some fun on the longest train on Earth .


Alessandro

[Chris Scott]

The RIM road situation about a year ago