Still on for me and Mike too. We managed to get through the snow in France. A couple of tricky buts but not too bad. Check the ¨Calais to Montpellier¨entry on our blog. Saludos!

Definitely concerned about temperatures' effects on both bike and rider. I've never been to Europe so I've only ever seen snow from the bike in Lesotho and sleet in Peru - but not for 2500km... Will take reasonable precautions. Hoping to take smaller roads closer to the coast until south of the Pyrenees and avoid the highways but will see what's possible when I get there. Will get more first hand info when in Amsterdam and can change itinerary at the drop of a hat.
Safe travels!

Belgium-Ghana
 

hey, We crossed Mauritanie without problems. 25december-31december 2009.
We did the pist Nouadibou-choum-Atar-Chingetti-Tidjikja. On the pist to Choum we had a escort of the "gendarmerie mobile". 2 landcruisers each with 3 armed men ,a driver and the chef.They gave us a escort for security. In Atar we spoke with the chef of gendarmerie and he gaves us a permission with stampes that we could travel alone. A serval checkpoints we gave acopy of this document.
On the pist we didn't saw any tourist with four wheel driving cars. In Atar many people complained about the situation. no tourist,no money!
Afterwards we drove from Tidjikja ,on road,to "route D'espoir" direction Ayoun where we toke the road to Nioro.

We're going top to bottom through the east of Africa. I think the best is just to be aware of where more dangerous areas are, and try avoid them. Apart from that, just do your research and be sensible.

We are going through Sudan just before their election, which is the only major thing for us (that we see). We're hoping it doesn't blow up into any kind of war. But we're still going anyway and will judge the situation as it happens.

Hi there,

We are on the same way,but later on-June.
Would be nice to hear from you the current situation in Sudan,once you crossed there.

Thanks in advance and safe travel.


Cheers,


Simon

No worries. I think once we're through Sudan, we'll post an update on the ins & outs. It's definitely a very hard country to find information on. I've had to just go on other travelers information as well.

Keep in mind though, we will be going through just before the election. Things could change very dramatically once the election is over and they choose a winner.

Sudan elections.
 

For everybodies information, the upcoming elections in April are for South Sudan only and should not affect people traveling in North Sudan. For those of us working here during that time, we are encouraged to take leave otherwise it's business as usual with a few precautions thrown in just in case. I've just done a quick survey of the office and the answers I got were 9th or 11th for the actual voting day. Most people coming down through Wadi Halfa, KHT, Gedaref will not come anywhere near South Sudan.
There is almost zero tourism in SS and entry into the region is relatively regulated. There will be a referendum in 2011 in which SS decides if it will separate from the North. This will be a dodgy time & many people believe it will result in a resumption of hostilities. If you stray off the usual tourist route in the north, please be aware that closer to the border region you go, the risk of landmines increases. Stay on the tracks & talk before you walk!
Campbell J
Mines Advisory Group,
Juba, South Sudan.

Great information, I wasn't aware it was limited to Southern Sudan. Last I read, it was starting on the 5th too. That'll keep everyone I'm travelling with (and people back at home) happy. Thanks heaps.