Tire shop in Dahla and beyond?
 

Hi everyone,
I'll be on the road within a week for a bike trip through Morocco, W. Sahara, Mauritania, Mali. I'm wondering if there is a tire shop on Western Sahara' stretch before crossing Mauri border, just to easy up changing on dirt tires.
I'd also like to confirm if this "new" gas station before border is to be count on?
Any recent info would be very helpful!

In Laayoune, Boujdour or Dakhla your will find tyre fitters, but from Dakhla to Noadhibou is nothing but sand. Gas was never a problem (but I have a range of 500 km) and I saw a new gas station, but can't remember where.

Hi, i rode from Lisbon to Guine-Bissau this February.

Some group mates changed to dirt tyres in Dahkla. Can't remember exactly where but just ask around. In Nouadhibou there are also a couple of Michelins, the local name for "general mechanic" :)

From Dakhla southwards we filled again in Barbas, the well known gas station/motel/restaurant located at N22.05486 W16.74700.

There is a gas station just before the Morocco border but as far as i remember it was not running at the time, it was still kind of unfinished. Sorry, this is from memory.

So, after Barbas we filled again in Nouadhibou - exactly 140km distance.

Beware because some gas stations in Western Sahara were either dry, no-one was there or had no electricity. I filled let's say at every opportunity after 150km. I was riding an Africa Twin and never reached reserve.

PS: if you feel that my trips GPS waypoints can help you I'll gladly send them

Enjoy! :scooter:

BR
CaBRita
Lisboa-Bissau Fev2011 Panoramio - Photos by LMCabrita > Lisboa Bissau Fev2011

Hi Cabrita,

Thanks for the response. I am Jumaru's fellow traveler. Do you think you can ask your friends about the mechanic in Dakhla where they changed their tires, if they have saved a GPS coordinate? Thanks!

Sapou

I rode to Mali on my bike with a range of about 300Km (650GS), never had fuel problems. Just remember to fill up every time you can.

Also, Dakhla is on a peninsula, down a 50Km "dead end". Going there just to change tires would be a 100Km "detour". I suggest Laayoune. Although I didn't stop in Laayoune or Dakhla, Laayoune seemed like it must have some mechanics, it felt surprisingly safe & modern.

At the "turn off" to Dakhla where you go right for Dakhla or left for Laayoune is a petrol station with some pissed off dogs that will chase you!

I don't have a GPS on the bike but I found the bike shop in Dakhla on Google Maps. The coordinates are 23.689969,-15.941119
23.689969,-15.941119 - Google Maps
I got a few bits and bobs there, and they can order stuff from Casablanca for you if you are stuck. They tend to be pricy so haggle for better deals. I wouldn't let them to work on my bike though, they didn't seem familiar with my Suzuki at all.

There is also a supermarket just down the road from this bike shop.

South from there, I have seen knobbly tyres in Nioro, Mali. Ask around, there is a mechanic close to the "hotel".