Ideas for 6 week trip from UK mid October?

[Jim Lad]

I've been preparing a for a bike ride on my own down to Dakar leaving UK mid October. The news yesterday that an ebola victim has been confirmed in Dakar has made me have 2nd thoughts. Of course the full implications of this news will be a lot clearer in a month or so. If this were to prove to be the only victim I would probably still travel, however this could be the start of a more serious outbreak in Senegal, with border closures etc., as we have seen in other ebola countries.

So as I have the time available I'm considering other options. I could go down as far as Dahkla in Western Sahara and cross the tropic of Cancer, a first for me, spending some time in Morocco on the way. I mainly intend to stick to tarmac. I've been to Morocco a few times but there are still areas to explore.

But if I didn't go to Africa then perhaps to the Balkans. Maybe not the best time of year as it'll get chilly in November, hence the reason for planning to head south. I'd love to visit Sarajavo again and the roads in Bosnia are great fun to ride. I'd head for Turkey but did a tour there last year.. I suppose the 'Stans are an option but had not seriously considered them.

I had prepped a G650 xCountry for the Dakar trip but have an R1200GS in the garage too which would not need much to make it ready, I'd probably take the GS if heading east.

So, any thoughts, ideas?

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by Jim Lad

I'd love to visit Sarajevo again and the roads in Bosnia are great fun to ride.

I spent last night in Sarajevo, and rode from there to Dubrovnik today.

It's actually getting a bit cool at the higher altitudes in Bosnia right now - last night's low in Sarajevo was 12°, thus I think it might be a bit too cool for enjoyable riding in late October.

Have you considered exploring Spain and Portugal? I think the weather there would be pleasant in October - early November. For sure, the crowds will be gone, and you will be able to find low prices for hotels (if that is how you plan to overnight).

Greece is another possibility, although the riding there is nothing special.

I think you are wise to take a pass on Africa for the time being - once the Ebola genie gets out of the bottle, all hell is going to break loose down there.

Michael

[Jim Lad]

Have considered going east to Greece or Turkey, using the Greece - Italy ferry for the return leg late November but there is still a pull to go to Africa.

I've also been following the ebola developments in Dakar and the guy from Guinea who came to Dakar with ebola in August has now fully recovered. A number of people he contacted are being monitored but none are showing symptoms yet.

So I've decided to head for Africa mid October as planned and go at least to Dakhla in Western Sahara and review the situation then. Should things have cleared up in Dakar I'll probably continue to Senegal but if the position has deteriated in Senegal I'll turn around at Dakhla and spend some time exploring Morocco before returning home. One positive is that I've got a ferry back from Santander to Portsmouth in late November, which was not available earlier.

[rauleloy]

[gren_t]

I'd skip Africa at the mo also, if they are admitting to finding 1 victim of Ebola you can be sure there are 10 more not found.

I'd second the choice for s/america cutting the trip to a month will help offset the increase in cost
If that is an option for you there are loads of fly in & rent destinations

nice problems you have, love to swap them for mine - have fun and ride safe wherever you end up.
Gren

[Jim Lad]

Thanks guys. The south America idea sounds good but there is stil something special about taking the bike out of the garage. The one you have serviced yourself, chosen the luggage, set up the lights, added the big bash plate and lots of TT and other bling. Pile on the luggage (too much of it of course)and headed off, returning some weeks later to put the bike back in the garage, giving it a little pat for bringing you home safe. Soft I know but what can I do!

So Africa is still the plan, but not to far down, at least to Dakhla, but I'm monotoring the Dakar situation and may still go there if things in Senegal don't deteriorate. We'll see.

[welovebikes]

Hi Jim Lad

I have a good compromise for you. Have breakfast, get your gear on, wheel out your fully prepped bike for the big adventure and then ride to the Airport.

Free parking too!

Have a great trip, whichever way you go.

Chris

[Jake]

Be Brave try something a bit more challenging get some warm gear - head north not south - Go and see the northern lights and do some seriously hard winter riding and camping on the top of the world in Finnmark, its challenging, a bit chilly but for sure you won't find Ebola nor will you feel crowded up there. Even if you don't want to go that far Lofoten off the west coast, Narvik and back would be a good ride out. Tchus Jake.

[Jim Lad]

Guys, lots of interesting ideas. I know I should try and go to places further than I can drive or ride and head for an airport, but I seem stuck with the idea of driving off from the house and seeing how far my wallet, stamina, vehicle, etc can take me.

I'm no major adventure traveller and have only been going longer distances in the last 10 years but have managed a few interesting trips. Been as far east as the Euphrates, up and beyond the Lofoten Islands, Jake mentioned(but not in winter), west to Dun Angus on the Aran Islands, and down to Zagora in Morocco. So Dakar will extend the southern reach of that irregular cross. I don't always use a motorbike. Two years ago we walked 200 miles along the Dordogne river, last year cycled from Hampshire to central Germany and am just back from a Dordogne and Garonne cycle.

For me a big part of the pleasure is the planning and then putting the plan into action. Not in a rigid way but looking at a map and imagining what a stretch of road will be like and then going and riding it. For this trip I've heard what the Western Sahara/Mauritania border is like with it's no-mans-land and minefields and of course the Rosso border crossing into Senegal is notorious, but I'm strangely looking forward to these crossings and seeing how I will get on.

So the Portsmouth - Santander crossing is booked for this Friday, so Dakar here I come!

[Jake]

Jim, Hope all goes well on your journey, have a nice one. Tchus jake.