The book was correct, MH5 wasn't easy!
 

Satisfying to make it through MH5 yesterday, including the hard bit in the middle. Very relieved to reach the obelisk, though in fact I'd say the gnarliness ended at the stream a little further west.

I was on a loaded 1190 R, my mate on a loaded GSA, going west to east. We were in two minds about continuing, after the initial very rocky ascent from where MH10 diverges. (BTW Chris, I think there's a typo in MO 2 as this is referred to at least once as MA11 ?). It was undoubtedly the roughest I've ever taken an Adventure bike, the only think that came close was a descent of the Kegety Pass in Kyrgyzstan last year, though that wasn't as rough, just more risky.

I don't think it's currently possible in a 4WD (without a lot of shovelling) as there was one section where stuff had slid to make it too narrow. There were 4WD tracks east of this point only.

Anyone know in what year they built the bypass (MH10)?

Good work on those big bikes, Ian. Send pics.
It was marginal in a car even first time I found it - don't imagine its got any easier.
When I came back for edn 2 in 2008 on the Tenere the bypass was complete (and a great ride). Tried to ride up that rocky slope as you did (eastbound), but it was getting dark and from there it went wrong (pic below).

You should try MA6 southbound - spectacular but took us into the dark going northbound (uphill) last time - also marginal in a car IMO. Same with MA7 southbound - we did that last Nov. Much easier and as spectacular once up to the pass.

You are right about typos, thanks.

MA6 is amazing, had to give up October 2014 solo in a 4x4 at the last river crossing heading north

Still got to do MA7, maybe this year..............

Here's the trickiest bit:

https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...c6&oe=57793646

https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a7&oe=57BA00FA

And relief at reaching the obelisk:

https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d0&oe=5784061E

But I think the most spectacular route of this trip was south on MH4 'in the late afternoon sun' as the book describes:

https://www.facebook.com/ian.n.chapp...5269422484356/

But the feche-feche of MS6 was not easy on a big bike. Having said that, I think if I did it again, it would be easier:

https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...4c&oe=57B9920D

We did MA6 northbound and MA7 north/west-bound three years ago. I still remember the view from the top of MA7 as the Issil plain unfolded before us - think I posted this video at the time:

https://vimeo.com/album/2215360/video/57219812

I'm currently recuperating In Essouira after a slow (45mph) tumble on flat smooth tarmac after a front-wheel blowout, near Tata, resulting in a high-side with me thrown a couple of metres in the air. Ironically the worst I've ever hurt myself in forty years since first throwing a leg over a Honda C50!

Hi Ian, that does look substantially more knackered than I remember - hard to believe a 12 got ridden up there. I remember your 12 post on the MA route.
MH4 (Jebel Sarhro) is an all time classic, just a shame you couldn't deploy your rocket boosters on MS6.

Never had a front wheel blow-out but I thought that's not supposed to happen with tubeless?

We rode down the bit in the pics, I don't think we could have got up, easily at least. I remember thinking it was the 'point of no return'!

I knackered my OEM front rim en-route to Magadan last year, so did what I thought best and fitted a 1.85" Excel up front. Very robust, but too narrow to make tubeless. BIG mistake I now realise! I think the lack of the tubeless 'safety bead' is the worst problem. I've had front blowouts before both with and without a tube on the OEM TL rim including on motorway and remained in control, but this was different. I'm going to fit a TL rim at the first oppurtunity, although I'll sacrifice some robustness. And I think the monitoring system of a tubeless setup (pre-warning of a puncture) is extremely useful - I used to think it was a gimmick for those too lazy to get a pressure gauge out! Saved my ass a couple of times...

BTW I read somewhere an article of yours re. sealing spokes. I fitted an Outex system (Japanese) which Woody's recommended to the rear - so far it's doing great!

Thinking of getting some vinyl printed as per the USS Enterprise for my pods!

That explains it then and helps validate the TL theory. Know what you mean about 21s lacking the TL lip inside, even when tubed rear rims have that lip.
Pressure is pressure, but I think the lip is an significant factor for a good seal (let alone in a blow-out) and means you can run low psi.

Just discovered Outex last week and added to the article - but could do a DIY as well. Mostly, I just like the ease of puncture repairs on a hot day in the desert and I'm sure TL tyres last longer.