Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Jan 2003
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
HbG to Amguid or Gara Khan (A5, A6, A10)

HbG to Amguid or Gara Khan (A5, A6, A10)

As you may have read here, the checkpoint at 4 Chemins may be blocking access to the routes above.
This was the case in late November - there was a barricade over the piste out of 4 chem - closed due to smugglers, it was said. Later I met a French guy later who avoided 4 Chemins by going west along the Oued Irharrhar (after the first descent, more or less 28 23 / 6 40, easy he said) and then down around Gour ben Houilet ('Hassi M' map, IGN 1:1m) and on the Gara Khan or Amguid. I also met some bikers in Djanet which were allowed to go out of 4 Chemins. When we came back out of Gara Khan via BoD there was no problem and I seem to recall the barricade across the piste was half missing compared to one month earlier.

If they ask at Hassi bel Guebbour say you're going to the warm spring just down the road or to BoD for your health. From BoD/Zaouia Sidi Moussa you can cut out west (latter part of A10, pretty sandy) and pick up the routes for Amguid or GK. There was no checkpoint out of BoD. Indeed, as with me, at HbG they may request you take a soldier back to BoD which will give you a perfect excuse to breeze past 4Chem and out of BoD once you've dropped the guy off.

If they don't let us past the barricade we'll be trying the Oued or BoD option in a week or two.

Chris S


------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
And on reverse , if I want come from Amguid to go to HBG , is it a problem ?
Where ? After Amguid or just befrore BoD ?
Thanks for your responses

Roro
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Jan 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 89
No probs coming back this way (into BOD) a week ago.

Going down, the guards seemed to change their stance each day as we met some people who had been refused and some that hadn't.

On a tangential note - if you do end up going via tarmac East from HbG towards In Amenas, there's another excellent hot spring 61kms from HbG (about 3 km north of the road). Well worth a stop!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Jan 2003
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
As Ollie says - no probs coming back north into 4-chem, and maybe less going south by now

(btw, i think we passed you going down the Gassi Touil, Ollie - I take it you had a good loop ;-)

CS
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Jan 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 89
Thanks Chris - yes, had a great trip. Had a suspicion that that was you, but by the time I'd realised we were too far apart to stop!

Shame really as you could have saved us a day's buggering about trying to start route A5 - the military at HbG told us that the only way down to 4Chemins was to go E on the tarmac and then SW down the piste shown on all the maps. Don't advise taking this piste - it's rough rubble all the way (70km in 3 hrs). The hot spring at Hassi Tabankourt is worth a stop. We ended up driving down to Djanet via the tarmac, as did most others around the same time as us. Beautiful drive, and the smallish erg just S of In Amenas is a lovely overnight camp, lovely red dunes, would have liked to explore further but travelling on our own decided was not an option.

Incidentally fo anyone heading down soon, the stone-throwers are out in force in the Souf region, but it seems to be worst just E of Touggourt, rather than between El Oued and the border. So don't think you're through it all until you're past Touggourt!

Cheers

Ollie

[This message has been edited by ollieholden (edited 08 January 2003).]
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Jan 2003
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
....and the smallish erg just S of In Amenas is a lovely overnight camp, lovely red dunes, would have liked to explore further....

That's Erg Bourharet (or one of its names) a lovely spot indeed. Camped there in 88 and the dunes have not budged an inch, interestingly. Met the crew there to start filming this time but it was too cloudy so we moved on.

fyi, overnighting at hassi Tabankort is mosquito central, I'm told - but amazingly none at the one south of HbG which was bliss under the stars ...

My stone throwers tip: open all windows and wear a crash helmet.

CS
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
What is the best solution to prevent stone- throwers :
Travelling at night ? ( possible ?)
Having "plastic films" ( I don't know the English word ) on windscreen ?
Other solutions ?
Thanks for your answers , I'm worrying about that !

Roro
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: France
Posts: 353
I read somewhere about a couple that had carved and painted a rough copy of an AK-47 out of available bits of wood. They cruised through villages with that showing in an open window, not even a pebble.
Rally style plexiglass windows are light and don't break easily; alternatively mount full length sand ladders at window height for that "Securicor" look.
I don't know yet as I haven't experienced it, but stone throwing is one of those little things that preoccupy the trip planning for me too.
Other ideas welcome.
Thx
Luke
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
The stone throwing bit is not that big a problem. Relative by both risk and outcome, there are much bigger things to be prepared for!

If you are very unlucky, and one is for the driver's window, have it closed and buy a new window afterwards - better than actually being hit by a stone whilst driving. Sometimes tucking in behind a lorry means that the kids can't see you coming seems to work (but then you are an easier, slower target!!).

It one of those things, there are more important things to spend time and money on...

Sam
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Jan 2003
POB/London's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London / IOW
Posts: 486
What are you supposed to do if they start throwing stones and you're on a bike?

Anyone experienced this?
__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Jan 2003
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
I agree with Sam, it's a small worry from small kids and not a Biblical hail of stones as some may imagine.

CS
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12 Jan 2003
Robbert's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gent, Belgium
Posts: 523
... stopover and ...

They're probably already far away. Or looking trough your window for a candy.

Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 13 Jan 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 89
I agree that there are more important things to think about when you're planning your trip, and don't think it's worth worrying about plastic windows etc. However these kid are throwing fairly hefty rocks (ie the size of half-bricks) which put sizeable dents in your car and if they hit a person you could be putting your trip at risk before you've got to the good bits!

Prevention is best approach - only drive through when you know the kids are in school or asleep; or sandwich yourself between some local cars. Or, drive very slowly and eyeball them.

Anyone know why they do it? The adults just sit back and watch!!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 13 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
"have it closed and buy a new window afterwards"

1. To Sam :

Do you think it's easy to buy a new windscreen for a Defender in Toggourt ?
What can you do without it ?

You say "closed" , but if the window is open it can't be broken .

2. To Ollie :

When the kids are at school ?
I remember my last trips , it seems to me they are on the road all day long !
Is it possible to cross El Oued and Toggourt at night ?

Thanks for your posts

Roro .
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 13 Jan 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern England
Posts: 205
You could always go across the Erg and pop out on the plains.

Andrew.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:02.