Thanks very much for the swift replies! So helpful already. Fortunately the two other guys I'm travelling with are native french speakers.... so at least that's the language barrier sorted.

The main issue so far seems to be the temperature one, the reason we initially proposed the dakar route was purely due to...well...ignorance! Clearly there will have to be a significant compromise, this will be my first serious trip of any kind, and the only time as a group we can spare time is july/august.

Currently I'm passionate about going for the real desert experience through mauritania, is there a route which could be considered more feasible without completely sticking (lol) to the roads...I will be in no hurry throughout the trip and am definitely not as good a driver as the dakar guys, but that doesn't stop me lying awake at night thinking about next summer!

I'm headed up to the RGS tomorrow to have a serious look at some maps so any advice would again be appreciated
Tom

Here are some links on XR400 touring
Touring on a XR400 - ADVrider
Two 400 XR in Morocco - ADVrider
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...subframe-24753

here are links for parts:
XR400 : Just Gas Tanks
Turbo City - Rock-It Parts
Turbo City - Rock-It Parts
Turbo City - Rock-It Parts
XR'S ONLY -- HONDA ATV DIRT BIKE -- CRF TRX XR - Oil Temperature Dip Sticks

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Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Have to agree with the other guys, it's going to be really hot. We hit just over 53C at the beginning of July in Southern Spain with a week long heatwave blowing up from North Africa.

Every great plan starts somewhere..

In terms of a route through you could look at the beach piste from Nouadibhou to Nouakchott through the Banc D'Arguin - you will have a desert experience and the Atlantic climate will save you from the worst of the heat.

Otherwise, perhaps make a diversion to Atar by road from Nouakchott and test your Summer endurance with shorter tours from there.

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

Once again, all very helpful.
Having visited the RGS over the past couple of days, I've had a chance to look seriously a routes through morocco and mauritania and have a few more questions...

(1) Is it possible to travel through the western sahara to somewhere such as Ain Ben Tilli on the Mauritanian border? I read somewhere about weekly armed escorts/convoys setting off from morocco or is this now a thing of the past?

(2) I understand how ridiculous it may seem to be travelling through the desert in July, but in order to get to the coast (Nouadhibou) and not through the western sahara, how feasible is it to travel from somewhere such as Ain Ben Tilli via Zouerat before skirting along the southern border on what appears to be an 'unmarked piste' to the coast?

(3) Once again, with the heat in mind, is the whole thing possible or am I just dreaming?!

Thanks again,
Tom

Tom, I don't think you're going to be able to get anywhere near Ain Ben Tili - not because the tracks are unrideable but because the armed standoff between the Morrocan army and the Polisario has its front line roughly in the Ain / Zouerat area and you will get turned back.
At the moment if you want to go to Mauritania overland the only practical route is the coast road (aka the Atlantic route). Because of the unrest in the area there used to be a convoy system in operation between Dakhla and the Mauri border but it was scrapped about eight years ago. You can now drive freely all the way down the route subject only to the frequent road blocks.

Re the unmarked piste along the southern border, if you mean the one that runs from Nouhadibou to Choum on the Mauri side of the border, that is a popular piste (one I'm hoping to do this Dec) and not really unmarked - there is a railway line that marks out the route, just follow that. You can follow it on Google earth if you have the patience.
If you mean the one north of the border that goes through Zoug etc then that's in the no go zone. Bear in mind that the whole of that southern border is said to be mined and that north of the railway puts you in the danger zone.

On a more general note, even if there were no political problems and the borders were open I would think twice about tackling the Ain / Zouerat piste in 50C summer temps. I don't know what sort of experience you have in these sorts of conditions but the Sahara is hard enough in the relative cool of winter and unless you are well acclimatised and with a "long way down" level of backup it's not something I would suggest you consider. The one time I rode in 50C heat is the only time I was "burnt off the bike" and had to give up and seek shelter. Clothing soaked in water was dry within a mile and it was hard to breath in a full face helmet.
Search the postings on this site for one by Cool Karim where he relates his (near death) experience on the Tichit to Oualata piste and if you haven't already, look through Chris Scott's site, Sahara Overland ~ the book and online resource

Clearly I still have a lot to learn! In which case a new option would seem to be taking the Atlantic route through morocco/western sahara. Although, of course it will still be hot hot hot, presumably the more Atlantic climate will save us from the worst of the heat as Richard K suggests. Having achieved this, would it be utterly suicidal to attempt to travel inland from nouadhibou to Atar via the Choum piste in July despite how determined we are? Ideally, that is what we would love to do, however, considering the time of year, it appears that the coastal route via the Banc D'Argin would be much more plausible.

It currently really is a steep learning curve, so forgive me if I sound like yet another misguided & naive young traveller, however the july/August slot really is the only period available. I clearly cannot appreciate just how hot it will be whilst sitting through another miserable english summer, but I guess it is just a question of minimising the effects of the heat whilst attempting to make the most of 8 weeks on a bike!

Tom,

I've also just ordered a copy of Sahara overland 2, so no doubt more literature advising against it!

I don't think anyone will tell you NBD to Atar in July is a good idea! However, if you are determined then the only safe way to do this would be to hire a driver and Hi-Lux in Nouadibhou (cost about 150 euros per day including fuel and perhaps a return fee).

Navigation is simple, so rather than riding in his dust, go at your own pace and ask him to follow your tracks. Between 12-4pm you will probably not be doing anything other than drinking, sweating and sleeping, so the shelter & fluids a 4x4 can carry will be a lifeline.

If you cannot change your dates, then the sensible thing to do is make an informed decision at the time and on the ground when more of the variables are settled (state of health and machinery, heat, skill levels etc.).

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

to be honest there are plenty of 8 week biking challenges, without putting yourself in the Sahara during the summer.

While the Sahara Overland book will probably just get you more excited about that location, it also has pictures of an egg frying on a Land Rover front wing, etc, etc!

By the same author is the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, which has plenty of worldwide areas to explore. Or, read the trip reports on his website to give you some alternative ideas.

cheers,

Tom
It's not a bad thing to be enthusiastic about an ambitious trip. However, one point which strikes me about this thread is not whether it can be done but whether you would actually enjoy it.

Sometimes in the summer months in the UAE, to keep riding, we set out after dark, camp overnight and get up and on the bikes by 6-6:30 am. It is really lovely to ride then as the sun comes up and can feel very fresh. However, by 8:30 am it is scorching and by 9 am we are heading for the trailers, an air-conditioned car and a refreshing shower.

You won't have that luxury and will very possibly start to be feeling uncomfortable, irritable or worse - with the whole of the day still ahead of you. And that's with the bikes running smoothly and no mishaps.

Good luck with your trip and let us know what you decide and how it goes.

I'm planning to travel in North Africa too next year - but starting in January!
Stephan

Hi there,

After a week of should I/Shouldn't I and researching everywhere I have decided that I am going ahead with the atlantic route to Dakar next July/August... if I don't do it now there will be very little chance in the future for me and my colleagues to attempt something on this scale, so we've decided to take part in life and have a go.

Clearly heading into the interior during the summer is foolish and unwise, so we'll be taking the sealed route through the western sahara via laayoune and dakhla. Currently I see this purely as means to travel between the real off road experience of morocco and mauri, but within this period of travelling ( and it clearly makes up a substantial part of the trip!) is there much to experience other than miles of nice asphalt?! Although I may be begging for it in morocco, the question I'm asking is whether travel down the coast is boring? And how long should I allocate to it considering three XR400s not in a hurry?

Once we get to Nouadhibou, based on conditions at the time our intention is to follow the piste east to Choum and then to nouakchott and, as suggested, with the help of a support vehicle. Based on this, how easy ( and how much ) is it to hire a guy with a truck in Nouadhibou to accompany us on this section? Moreover, will the three XRs be able to stand the heat?!

Thanks again,
Tom

BBC NEWS | Africa | Troops die in Mauritania ambush

Hey Tom,

Good on you mate for all your research.

I did the Nouadhibou to Choum route twice last winter in a 16 ton 4WD truck ( I was a driver for an overland company). We had an excellent guide, who knows that route well and would be well worth getting in touch with.

Let me know if you want more details

Cheers