Bamako to Gao
 

Any updates on the road North of Mopti -- i.e. are the police letting any Westerners pass? Any info appreciated...

Can't beat local knowledge IMHO- if you're headed that way, perhaps contact Mac, owner of Mac's Refuge in Sevare Mopti.
Great place to stay, safe bike parking in compound, delicious breakfast/lunch and dinner too and even if full, he'll let you put your tent up on his (flat) roof!

I'm not sure about travel north or east of Mopti since the fighting in eastern Mali started last week, but tourists were certainly being allowed to go overland to the Festival au Désert in Timbuktu. As for Mac's Refuge, sadly, it's no more. I don't know the details, but Mac left some time ago - I think probably in 2010 if not earlier. I passed through Sévare in October 2011 and asked about it from the owner of the Sleeping Camel who I was travelling with.

thanks for update Richard. Mac had a house about 200 m further down. Is he really gone ? any info appreciated

i went to Timbuktu for the festival as volunteer,put the bike on a pinasse with no extra charge,on the way back ride down to Dogon,not too bad,very safe but dusty.

just an update - road from Bamako to Gao is fine, entry to Gao as well, though the police may ask a lot of questions and detain you for a bit...