Hi,

First timer here, great site by the way, thanks all for the amazing source of info !

My brother and I planning a trip to North Africa end of the year (have talked wife info heading back to SA for Xmas with her folks and am planning on a festive adventure...), have most of Dec 2009 and Jan 2010 available. Was thinkling some kind of loop (so dont have to ship bike back etc), along the lines of :

- Ferry to Northern Spain (to save miles on the road, and we coming back through France anyway)
- Down France, cross into Morocco
- Down through Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal
- Across to Mali
- Then want to find a route heading back up to Tunisia (not sure if you can cross from Mali into Algeria and then again into Tunisia ??)
- Do the reverse LWD route back to UK ie. cross into Sicily / Italy, back up through France into UK

Please all, any advice and critique much appreciated. Have limited experience of this sort of travelling though am from South Africa (10 yrs ago), and have worked in Israel and Egypt so know that Africa a little. Specifically the proposed Mali to Tunisia section - is that a good idea ? Any better alternatives appreciated...

Any thoughts on the time of year we proposing / weather etc ?

So far my brother and I going (around 30's in age) and so if anyone interested let me know, for all or part. Expecting it will take around 8 weeks at a steady pace.

3 Months to plan which hopefully is enough (been reading Chris Scott's cracking book 'Adv M/c Handbook' every day for last month so already feel qualified... ha ha).

Both on 660 Teneres by the way. Only get mine this week so not most experienced in world but have done bit of Moto X style when younger, have a roadbike, and do lots of MTB'ing so am sure will be fine.

I have plenty of time to plan between now and then (self employed) and happy to do so.

Thanks in advance

Dave,
I think we've already had some chat over on Xt660 ?? I might be wrong

There are a few of us looking at a run to Dakar in 2011, and we're having and dry run in Portugal (just to make sure we're all happy riding together!) in Spirng next year.

I'll be interested to see if your route is possible, as this will give us an option for 2011.

Good luck, the new Ten is very capable, having already circumnavigated Europe on mine. One of two areas to focus on, but nothing too major.

Hi GasUp, yup was on XT site so likely me.

Will keep you posted re trip planning and of course re the route we eventually have a crack at. Think to Dakar straightforward enough, and certainly plenty of help and advice around, its the proposed loop back I ideally need some info on.

Cheers (roll on Friday, will be )