I hereby declare.............

[Dizzie]

"Sahara Speedway" for opened.
Tarmac all the way from the NDB to NCHT.
It was even blacktop! Last section was finished yesterday. No more gravel or piste.

[Sime66]

Fantastic!
Let's have a competition to see who was the last person to fall off and break something there before it opened.
I'll start the bidding with November 5th 2004 (1 collarbone, 2 ribs).

Simon

[gvdaa]

Don't worry. You can still break something on the couple of kilometers piste between the Moroccan and Mauritanian borderposts. At high speed this piste is quite difficult. Somebody knows if they're gona tar this part as well?



[This message has been edited by gvdaa (edited 12 October 2005).]

[Luke]

Good news for those who love the P&Q of the Banc d'Arguin, now the trucks will be further away.
I'll be leaving the tar to those in a hurry.

[woo140]

They've obviously been busy down there over the last 3 months. Congrats Mauretania!

[AndySabb]

Well I am glad I waited a year before taking my trip. I should hit that bit of road around about the 15th - 16th of January 2006. I will be travelling with four children.

How much quick does it make the trip between Nouadibhou and Nouachoutt ( I am not spelling them correctly)? It has to mean you can it at 60kmh all the way.

I have bought a good hi lift jack and some very expensive sand ladders - looks like I won't need them with my Defender.

It is amazing hwo much we are having to organise in these last 10 weeks before we go. One week to a test pack for the Land Rover.

I hope not to break anything on the way - especially bones.

Andy

[kaspars]

Andy,

you will miss all the fun! Believe me - go old piste, its 2 days relaxed bit of desert, plus nice ride on beach. Or take rollerblades instead of def,

KAspars

[Luke]

I agree with Kaspars, the road may be an essential part of Mauritania's infrastructure, but it goes through mostly very boring scenery.
Cape Tafarit is seriously worth the detour, the pistes are not difficult (renault 4 has no probs) and the coast along the park is just beautiful.

You're not obliged to do the mad dash against the tide, there are several places where you can turn inland and pick up the road.

The bits of road that we saw last year were good enough to do 120 km/h safely, but IMHO a trip to Africa isn't about hurrying.

Have fun
Luke

[Pumairl]

Yep..don't stick to the new road..take the old route..it's a better experience

------------------
Pete.
PDC05 5107

[Dizzie]

Well, since the stretch between NDB and NCT is not most of a scenery, and we were on our way further south and did'nt spend much time exploring the old piste or any thing else really. Did 120km/t between NDB and NCT. Didnt really like MAUI much. The people was the most unfriendly I have met on this trip so far. I bet the countryside is nice etc.... the Sahara Speedway, NCT and NDB is not. The distance between the Maroccan and Mauritanian bordepost is approx 700-900 meter with sand and. no problem for 4WD. Takes a little more concentration on MC and 2 WD. There is this guy who runs/drive around out there in no-mans land. My first instinct was to pay him no attention and tell him to fu#&= off when I got stuck and he wanted to help. Well.... he actually doesent charge you for it, what he wants is just to give you his salespitch on where to stay in NDB. And actually... he knows how to get around the soft sand and should be followed. No need to go in to any haggling on the price of accomodation, since he only takes people to the hotels or campsites and get a commission for it. In my case..... he took me to a combined campsite and brothel. Neither of wich looked particulary good.

[Ian]

Anyone know if any fuel stations have sprung up on the new tar road?

[Dizzie]

There are no new fuelstations yet, but the there are a few settlements enroute that sell diesel and some also have regular fuel. The sign to look for is normally and old rusty oildrum outside there tent or hut. Tried once nearby Noakchott. No problem. Fair price.

[Wheelie]

Sorry for being ignorant, but what is NDB and NCHT short for?

[Richard K]

Originally posted by Wheelie:
Sorry for being ignorant, but what is NDB and NCHT short for?

Nouadhibu & Nouakchott

It saves remembering how to spell them!

[Wheelie]

Thanks, I google-earthed it but couldn't find Nouadhibu. Is the spelling correct? Where is it located? Again, sorry for being so ignorant, I'm only just getting into East Africa