Dakar 2011 - SAMtours package or go it alone?
 

Hi all,

With only a few months until the 2011 Dakar, I was wondering whether to be less adventurous and book a tour to follow the Dakar, or turn up, buy/hire a bike and see what happens.

My research concludes so far that, as with any rally event, car or bike, if you are not well prepared or in the know, all you get is a quick flash of something in the dust and a blurred photo and then try to find the next spectator spot.

I would ideally like to join a tour group, but am not that bothered about luxury or plush BMWs. Would rather rough it for a few weeks and ride something light and pick-back-upable.

Any tips, past experiences or advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

We are shipping our bikes to BA and will follow the Dakar.
Plan is to only watch every second day and try to get ahead of the race on the alternative day.
Main reason is that our own bike are very well set up for off-road touring, so we know what we get.:funmeteryes:

Will leave our bikes in BA and return later to travel up to the US of A.

My guess is that most hire bike have gone by now, but you never know your luck.

Kim

Hi Sharpie,

I was wondering what you decided in the end? I would like to go next year so any info you could pass on would be great. Thanks Jim